One of the all-time greats will continue adding to his legacy as Kyle Hines has penned a deal to remain with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan for another season.

Kyle Hines signs on for another season with Milan

One of the all-time greats will continue adding to his legacy as [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kyle-hines/002812/) has penned a deal to remain with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan for another season. Hines (1.98 meters, 36 years old) comes off his 13th EuroLeague season and his third with Milan. He did not miss a single game last season as he averaged 5.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 18:48 minutes of playing time. Hines finished the season by helping Milan successfully defend the Italian league championship. He has also won two Italian Cups and one Italian Super Cup in his time in the fashion capital.

### **One of the EuroLeague's great winners**

Hines is a four-time EuroLeague champion with Olympiacos Piraeus (2012 and 2013) and CSKA Moscow (2016 and 2019). Only four players in European basketball history have won the top continental crown more and Hines is one of only two, along with Sarunas Jasikevicius, to win four crowns in the modern era (starting in 2002).

He began his professional career in the Italian second division with Prima Veroli in 2008. After two seasons there, Hines moved to Germany and made his EuroLeague debut with Brose Bamberg. Then came two seasons with Olympiacos and seven with CSKA before he joined Milan. Three times the winner of the EuroLeague Best Defender Trophy (2015-16, 2017-18, 2021-22), Hines has racked up a national championship in both Germany and Greece as well as six VTB United League titles with CSKA.

Kyle Hines remains with Milan for another season

### **An all-time chart topper**

The next time Hines takes the floor, he will tie Pauliuas Jankunas for the most games played in EuroLeague history with 392. Hines is the all-time leader in offensive rebounds with 789 and will keep moving up the charts in several other categories. He enters the season ranked second in two-pointers made (1,289), third in rebounds (1,778) and blocks (308), ninth in steals (274) and 11th in scoring (3,226).  

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Kyle Hines 2024: &quot;Milano è la mia seconda casa, voglio rendere ancora più orgogliosi i tifosi&quot; ➡ <a href="https://t.co/z2KUpPZ5kf">https://t.co/z2KUpPZ5kf</a><br><br>Kyle Hines 2024: &quot;Milan is my second home, I want to make the fans proud&quot; ➡ <a href="https://t.co/0HnZdMUwaS">https://t.co/0HnZdMUwaS</a><br><br>⚪🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SirHines2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SirHines2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> <a href="https://t.co/IlZKf9LGSp">pic.twitter.com/IlZKf9LGSp</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1676881483196137472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More on Kyle Hines

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv announced that it has signed forward James Webb for the coming season.

Maccabi spins James Webb into frontcourt

##### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv announced that it has signed forward [James Webb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/james-webb-iii/011971/) for the next two seasons.

Webb (2.06 meters, 29 years old) arrives from Valencia Basket, with whom he made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut last season. He averaged 8.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 32 EuroLeague games for Valencia, including 23 in the starting lineup. Those numbers rose to 9.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in the Spanish League.

<CENTER><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">כל הפרטים &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/SQnwSfAAzH">https://t.co/SQnwSfAAzH</a><a href="https://twitter.com/WassupWebb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WassupWebb</a> <a href="https://t.co/qHBB4yR4nR">pic.twitter.com/qHBB4yR4nR</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1676681610710622212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Webb began his professional career with Delaware in the G-League in 2016. He has also played for Long Island and Iowa in the G-League, for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, Telekom Bonn in Germany, Larisa in Greece and UCAM Murcia in Spain. Webb played college basketball at North Idaho and Boise State.

James Webb s top plays 2022-23

"James is versatile and is able to play in two positions, which is something that can help us a lot," Maccabi head coach Oded Kattash said on Maccabi’s official website. "He is very active and has a good shot. He has good character, which is valuable to us, and has EuroLeague experience. We certainly think he can upgrade us and fit in with our system."

“Maccabi is a top-level club with a great winning history," said Webb. "The fans are exciting and very passionate, the atmosphere is a thrill to be in and I am super excited to get there and add a little more energy. Yalla Maccabi!"

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has announced that playmaker Aleksa Avramovic has agreed to stay with the club for another two seasons. Avramovic (1.92 meters, 28 years old) has spent the past two years with Partizan, helping it reach the 2023 EuroLeague Playoffs and win the 2022-23 Adriatic League title.

Partizan Belgrade re-signs playmaker Aleksa Avramovic

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has announced that playmaker [Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/) has agreed to stay with the club for another two seasons. Avramovic (1.92 meters, 28 years old) has spent the past two years with Partizan, helping it reach the 2023 EuroLeague Playoffs and win the 2022-23 Adriatic League title.

Avramovic made 23 appearances in his rookie Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign, posting 6.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists. His best performance of the season came on the road at AS Monaco in Round 33, as he scored a season-high 22 points to help Partizan secure its spot in the postseason. However, his impact on both ends of the floor went way beyond the numbers.

Aleksa Avramovic best plays of the 2022-23 season

Avramovic missed the first 14 rounds of the season with an arm injury before making his competition debut in Round 15 at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. In that content, he scored the game-winning free throw as Partizan grabbed a vital road victory. Partizan had a 17-5 record in games Avramovic played prior to him breaking his arm in the third quarter of Partizan's Game 3 matchup against Real Madrid.

Avramovic started his career with Borac in his hometown of Cacak. He also played with Serbian side OKK Beograd, while he spent three years with Varese in Italy and played with Unicaja Malaga and Estudiantes in Spain. Avramovic has been a member of the Serbian national team, too.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Aleksa ostaje crno-beli!✊🏽🖤🤍<br><br>Aleksa Avramović će i od naredne sezone nositi crno-beli dres sa brojem četiri! Reprezentativac Srbije je danas potpisao novi, dvogodišnji ugovor sa Partizanom Mozzart Bet. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://t.co/RcLKokKQb8">pic.twitter.com/RcLKokKQb8</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1676618896441327616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Aleksa Avramovic in action for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Partizan re-signs playmaker Aleksa Avramovic

Virtus Segafredo Bologna has locked up swingman Isaia Cordinier on a new contract until the end of the 2024-25 season. Cordinier (26 years old, 1.97 meters) is coming off his debut campaign in the EuroLeague, in which he averaged 6.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a 6.3 PIR across 19 appearances.

Isaia Cordinier renews at Virtus Bologna until 2025

Virtus Segafredo Bologna has locked up swingman [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) on a new contract until the end of the 2024-25 season. Cordinier (1.97 meters, 26 years old) is coming off his debut campaign in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, in which he averaged 6.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a 6.3 PIR across 19 appearances. The Frenchman, who won the 7DAYS EuroCup title with Virtus in the 2021-22 season, has spent the last two years in Bologna and will now continue to wear the team's jersey for the next two seasons.

The top plays of Virtus Segafredo Bologna swingman Isaia Cordinier in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Isaia Cordinier's top plays in 2022-23

### His rookie EuroLeague season

Cordinier ended up missing the final part of last season due to a foot injury he sustained in Round 23 against LCLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. That injury came at the worst possible time for the 26-year-old, as he had reached double digits for points in three straight games between Rounds 21 and 23, having scored 14 against FC Bayern Munich, 11 against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and 10 against ASVEL. Before that, the only times that Cordinier scored 10 or more points were the 12 he recorded against Real Madrid in Round 5 and the season-high 15 he had against Valencia Basket in Round 8. Heading into the next campaign, Cordinier will be hoping to take his game to the next level in Europe's premier club basketball competition.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🔊 𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓<br>La 𝐕 sulle ali di AirFrance ✈️<br><br>Isaïa Cordinier rinnova con la Virtus Segafredo Bologna ❗️<a href="https://twitter.com/izaycordinier?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@izaycordinier</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isaia2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isaia2025</a> <a href="https://t.co/Lciv0RXR4z">pic.twitter.com/Lciv0RXR4z</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1676595561951109120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Cordinier's path to Virtus

The Creteil-born player started his career in his native France with Antibes Sharks in the 2012-13 season, making his debut when he was just 15 years old, and he then stayed for an extra campaign following the team's promotion to the French First Division. In the summer of 2014, he dropped down to the French Second Division with ALM Evreux as he went in search of more game time, and the following summer he moved to Denain-Voltaire, which was also in the second tier. Ahead of the 2016-17 season, though, Cordinier returned to Antibes in the first division, this time as a starter. He remained at the club until 2019, which is when he joined Nanterre. There, he got his first taste of EuroCup basketball, playing and starting in 21 appearances across two seasons. His averages were particularly impressive, too, as he posted 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and an 11.8 PIR in his rookie season before improving those figures to 15.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals and a 19.4 PIR in the following campaign. By that point, Virtus had seen enough and decided to sign him in the summer of 2021. Now, two years on, Cordinier may see an even larger role at Virtus next season, so everything is set up for the Frenchman to thrive as we look ahead to the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Virtus News

Isaia Cordinier screams during a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game for Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the 2022-23 season.

Isaia Cordinier renews at Virtus until 2025

In a vote conducted last month, before he was named CEO of Euroleague Basketball, Paulius Motiejunas was selected as the Gianluigi Porelli EuroLeague Executive of the Year.

Paulius Motiejunas chosen as EuroLeague's top Exec for record third time

In a vote conducted last month, before he was named CEO of Euroleague Basketball, Paulius Motiejunas was selected as the Gianluigi Porelli EuroLeague Executive of the Year.

This marks the third time, following 2017-18 and 2018-19, that Motiejunas has been thus honored, which is the most in the award's history. The voting process took place in early June and was based on his actions as Zalgiris Kaunas General Manager before and during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, which culminated with the Final Four on Motiejunas’s home turf, Zalgirio Arena.

The Executive of the Year award honors the person and club whose management decisions have best exemplified the EuroLeague's commitment to excellence in all facets of club direction during the previous season. Among the categories considered before casting votes are sporting merits, fan experience, and marketing and communications. And under Motiejunas, Zalgiris excelled in all of those areas.

In addition to putting together a playoff team – Zalgiris finished the regular season in seventh place – Motiejunas sat atop an organization that met and surpassed all standards for ticket sales and advertising campaigns. And then all of European basketball descended on Kaunas for the Final Four and could take in firsthand the impressive job he has done there, which includes Zalgiris's state-of-the-art training facilities, its youth academy and the management of Zalgirio Arena.

Thanks to Motiejunas's leadership, Zalgiris has been able to remain a EuroLeague contender despite having a modest budget and playing in one of the league’s smallest markets. Zalgiris sold out 16 of its 17 EuroLeague home games and its average attendance of 14,801 was second highest in the league last season. Its revenue from its playoff home game against FC Barcelona was €1.4 million. More than 350,00 fans attended Zalgiris games in 2022-23 in all competitions, there are 2,500 people on the season ticket waiting list and 70 companies on the waiting list for VIP skyboxes.

The club's revolutionary partnership with Samsung created a Zalgiris limited edition Galaxy S23 smartphone, which featured exclusive protective cases and Zalgiris animations plus a revamped Zalgiris app. The phone and corresponding ad campaign reached nearly 8 million people in less than two months and generated an 80% bump in Zalgiris app users. The buzz about Zalgiris crossed borders, too. When the club re-signed Rolands Smits, it announced the move on billboards in Smits's native Latvia and invited Latvian fans to visit Zalgirio Arena for games, too.

The Gianluigi Porelli EuroLeague Executive of the Year has been awarded annually since 2005. The executive award recognizes those whose efforts build Turkish Airlines EuroLeague clubs into success stories. Mr. Porelli, who served as president of Virtus Bologna for more than two decades, was among the founders of ULEB and later its president. He passed away in 2009.

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has reached an agreement with Dani Diez to extend the Spaniard's contract until the end of the 2023-24 season. Diez (2.01 meters, 30 years old) averaged 2.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and a PIR of 3.2 off the bench in 25 appearances for Baskonia in the 2022-23 EuroLeague season. 

Dani Diez to stay at Baskonia next season

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has reached an agreement with [Dani Diez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-diez/003198/) to extend the Spaniard's contract until the end of the 2023-24 season. Diez (2.01 meters, 30 years old) averaged 2.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and a PIR of 3.2 off the bench in 25 appearances for Baskonia in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. He is now preparing to head into his fifth campaign in the EuroLeague, having previously featured for Real Madrid in 2013-14 and Unicaja Malaga in the 2015-16 and 2017-18 seasons. In his four years in the EuroLeague, Diez has played in 96 games, 16 as a starter, and averaged 3.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and a PIR of 4.1 in 12:12 on the court.

The best plays of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz forward Dani Diez in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Dani Diez's top plays in 2022-23

Diez joined Baskonia last summer and went on to become a regular part of head coach Joan Penarroya's rotation, appearing in 56 games across both the EuroLeague and the Spanish League. The forward came through Real's youth academy and made his first-team debut in the 2013-14 campaign. After a loan to Gipuzkoa Basket in the following season, he moved to Unicaja in 2015 and remained there until 2019. Diez then joined Tenerife, where he stayed for two seasons, before spending the 2021-22 campaign with San Pablo Burgos. This new deal with Baskonia means that the club's fans can continue to watch his play for another season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">😎 ¡RENOVADO! ¡<a href="https://twitter.com/danidiez11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@danidiez11</a> seguirá defendiendo los colores del baskonismo un año más!<br><br>📎 <a href="https://t.co/pOtdzi4FVs">https://t.co/pOtdzi4FVs</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> 🔵🔴 <a href="https://t.co/qSqVotWcad">pic.twitter.com/qSqVotWcad</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1676553889405972481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Dani Diez in action for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Valencia Basket has come to terms with two-time All-EuroLeague big man Brandon Davies on a multi-year deal. Davies (2.08 meters, 31 years old) arrives from Olimpia Basket, where he averaged 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds as a part-time starter in the EuroLeague last season.

Valencia Basket signs Brandon Davies to multi-year deal

Valencia Basket has come to terms with two-time All-EuroLeague big man [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/) on a two-year deal. Davies (2.08 meters, 31 years old) arrives from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, where he averaged 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds as a part-time starter in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last season. The talented big man earned MVP of the Round honors in Round 14 of the 2022-23 campaign after scoring 15 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing 7 rebounds, recording 2 steals and drawing 10 fouls in Milan's 67-71 win at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

The best plays of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan center Brandon Davies in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Brandon Davies's top plays in 2022-23

### Brandon Davies's EuroLeague career

Last year was his only season in the fashion capital, with Davies having also played two campaigns in the EuroLeague with Zalgiris Kaunas (2017-18, 2018-19) and three with FC Barcelona (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22). Davies helped Zalgiris reach the 2018 Final Four as a EuroLeague rookie, before being voted to the All-EuroLeague First Team the following season. In his time with Barcelona, he reached two more Final Fours and was named to the 2020-21 All-EuroLeague Second Team.

Over his five campaigns to date in the EuroLeague, Davies has proven himself to be a consistent threat on the offensive end of the floor. Through his 202 appearances to date, the Philadelphia-born center has averaged 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a 12.1 PIR in 20:13 minutes on the floor. His best year so far in the EuroLeague was his second and final season with Zalgiris in 2018-19, as he posted 14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and a 16.9 PIR across 34 games.


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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🥊 Pa pa papapá papapá papapá<br>🥊 Pa pa papapá papapá papapá<br>🥊 Papapa papapa pa paaaaaaaa<br>🥊 Papapáááá papapáááááááááá<br><br>Nos encantan las películas 😄 <a href="https://t.co/aPmt8As5BA">pic.twitter.com/aPmt8As5BA</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1676531366559895553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Davies enters the 2023-24 EuroLeague season tied for 48th place in the all-time charts in rebounding with 818 boards. He is also tied for 26th in free throws made with 541, 36th with 279 career offensive rebounds, 52nd in scoring (2,197 points) and 70th in blocks (79).

 

Davies began his professional career in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets. He has also played for Chalon sur Saone and AS Monaco in the French League and also Varese in Italy. His trophy case includes national championships from Lithuania, Spain and Italy, as well as national cups from France, Lithuania and Spain.

Valencia News

Brandon Davies, Valencia Basket's third signing of the summer, in action for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Valencia signs Brandon Davies to two-year deal

Zalgiris Kaunas will continue to rely on the services of team captain Edgaras Ulanovas for the foreseeable future, as the forward has penned a contract extension until the end of the 2026-27 season. Ulanovas 1.99 meters, 31 years old) averaged 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 37 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games last season, in which he helped Zalgiris reach the playoffs and win the Lithuanian double (league and cup titles).

Zalgiris team captain Edgaras Ulanovas signs contract extension

**Zalgiris Kaunas will continue to rely on the services of team captain** [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/) **for the foreseeable future, as the forward has penned a contract extension until the end of the 2026-27 season. Ulanovas 1.99 meters, 31 years old) averaged 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 37 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games last season, in which he helped Zalgiris reach the playoffs and win the Lithuanian double (league and cup titles).**

Ulanovas is in his eighth season with Zalgiris, split across two stints. Born in Kaunas, he played for several Lithuanian teams -- Aisciai Kauno, Triobet Jovanos, Zalgiris-Sabonio mokykla Kaunas, Baltai Kaunas, Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys and Neptunas Klaipeda -- before joining Zalgiris's first team in the 2014-15 season. In eight seasons with Zalgiris, Ulanovas has won seven Lithuanian League titles and lifted the Lithuanian Cup trophy six times, while he also helped his team reach the 2018 EuroLeague Final Four.

Ulanovas also played for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the 2020-21 campaign, in addition to being a member of the Lithuanian national team. He helped Lithuania achieve gold medals at the 2008 U16 European Championship, the 2010 U18 European Championship, the 2011 U18 World Cup and the 2012 U20 European Championship.

In his first season as team captain, Edgaras Ulanovas led Zalgiris to the Lithuanian double and the Turkish AIrlines EuroLeague playoffs.

Edgaras Ulanovas's top plays in 2022-23

"The talks started quite a long time ago, but the concrete negotiations took place after the end of the season. I also wanted to make a decision after the season," said Ulanovas after committing his future to Zalgiris. "The decision is a strong one: it’s a four-year contract. It’s a huge step for my family and for me. I felt the club was very keen for me to stay. That was very important for me.

"We ended the season on a high note, so that also helped. All things considered, I couldn’t see a better option. There was no point in waiting any longer for something. I am very happy to be representing Zalgiris Kaunas. At the same time, I am the captain, a very important position. This is what drives me forward.".

In 272 EuroLeague career games with Zalgiris and Fenerbahce, Ulanovas has amassed 2,013 points and 926 rebounds.

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Drama is never far away from Panathinaikos Athens. The six-time champion of the EuroLeague has spent the last few years struggling towards the lower end of the regular-season standings, failing to make the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, but this upcoming campaign will be a major test of whether the Greens are truly back or not. For anyone familiar with Amazon Prime's All or Nothing series, this experiment will be exactly that.

Panathinaikos is readying itself for an All or Nothing-type season

Drama is never far away from Panathinaikos Athens. The six-time champion of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague has spent the last few years struggling towards the lower end of the regular-season standings, failing to make the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, but this upcoming campaign will be a major test of whether the Greens are truly back or not. For anyone familiar with Amazon Prime's All or Nothing series, this experiment will be exactly that.

The [appointment of Ergin Ataman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/two-time-euroleague-champ-ergin-ataman-takes-charge-at-panathinaikos/) as Panathinaikos's new head coach was the first major domino to fall this summer, with the 57-year-old having taken Anadolu Efes Istanbul from the doldrums of the standings to back-to-back EuroLeague champions in 2021 and 2022. Two Greek signings were the first players to arrive – [Kostas Antetokounmpo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kostas-antetokounmpo-lands-at-panathinaikos/) and [Dimitris Moraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/greens-tab-playmaker-dimitris-moraitis-on-3-year-deal/) – but the two most recent additions, [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-signs-playmaker-luca-vildoza/) and [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-secures-center-mathias-lessort/), have put Panathinaikos fans on the edge of their seats.

After all, Lessort was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team after boasting the second-highest average PIR in the competition at 19.1, while also averaging 12.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. Vildoza, meanwhile, was named the MVP of the Month in December 2022 after hitting the ground running upon his arrival at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in mid-October. Come the end of the season, Vildoza posted 12.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals and a 12.2 PIR across his 29 appearances.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAOFans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAOFans</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ThiasLsf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThiasLsf</a> has some words for you! 🗣️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> <a href="https://t.co/YzuRMPHY9D">pic.twitter.com/YzuRMPHY9D</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1676228573877661696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Understandably, the excitement levels are building in Athens – and there's no sign that Panathinaikos is going to slow down just yet. Rumors have linked the Greens with the likes of AS Monaco swingman Jordan Loyd and FC Barcelona guard Nico Laprovittola in recent weeks, while it appears as though Ioannis Papapetrou, who played for Panathinaikos between 2018 and 2022, will be the next player to walk through the door at OAKA.

With excitement, however, comes pressure. Coach Ataman has signed a two-year deal to take charge of Panathinaikos, which means that getting off to a quick start will be imperative, hence the need for big-name additions straight away. Vildoza clearly liked the idea of being the face of Greens' new project – on the court at least – and thus penned a three-year contract, while Lessort's two-year commitment aligns with that of Ataman. There's no doubt that there will be an expectation that Panathinaikos hits the ground running, given the level of investment and the expectation that comes with putting on the Greens' famous jersey.

Ataman’s recipe to rebuild Panathinaikos will feature talent, confidence, teamwork

Going back to the All or Nothing premise for a moment, there are almost always moments in the series where the team goes through struggles and then either comes out the other side stronger or falters at the final hurdle. For Panathinaikos, reaching the playoffs is a must – and getting to the Final Four is something that is already in Coach Ataman's head. In fact, the Turkish tactician also has Olympiacos Piraeus, Panathinaikos's archrival and last season's EuroLeague runner-up, in his sights.

“Our goal is to reach the Final Four, for sure. I can’t lower the target. I can’t say, ‘Our goal is to make the playoffs’ at a club like Panathinaikos,” Ataman said during an interview with Turkish outlet Fanatik.

“When I took over Efes, I targeted Fenerbahce \[Beko Istanbul\] with \[Zeljko\] Obradovic. Why? Because Fenerbahce was one of the best clubs in Europe at that time. The same applies to Olympiacos. I will base my squad on Olympiacos. If we surpass Olympiacos, we will play in the Final Four and win the domestic championship.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAOFans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAOFans</a>, you have a message from Luca Vildoza! ☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> <a href="https://t.co/fiJpEdiXt1">pic.twitter.com/fiJpEdiXt1</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1674429819415842816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

These types of comments have become the norm from Coach Ataman in recent years, and if everything ends up falling into place, he will quickly become an icon among Panathinaikos supporters. What's more, if Vildoza and Lessort are able to replicate the level of performance they had with Zvezda and Partizan, respectively, last season, they will not only earn a big place in the hearts of the Greens' fan base but they will put Panathinaikos on the right track to achieve its goals.

It is almost a guarantee that there will be fireworks at Panathinaikos at some point during the 2023-24 season, but for EuroLeague fans and the global basketball community in general, it will be must-watch TV. There's still plenty of time before the season gets underway in October, but Panathinaikos is already showing that it means business as it looks to replicate its glory days in the EuroLeague from the late 1990s and the 2000s. Will it end up going to plan, like in the best-case scenarios in the All or Nothing series, or will it end up being more like a soap opera? Only time will tell.

Panathinaikos news

Mathias Lessort (left) attempts to block the shot of new Panathinaikos Athens teammate Luca Vildoza (right) during the Belgrade derby between Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.