By Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@eurohoops.net
The day started with Panathinaikos on the forefront and ended with one more European player leaving the old continent for the NBA. The Greens lost Kostas Kaimakoglou, not to Turkish club Fenerbahce/ Ulker, but to Russian Unics Kazan, which gave the Greek international forward a two year contract for 2,4 million euros.
However, they had a replacement ready, as they announced the signing of Andy Panko (photo). The 34 years old American forward was the Spanish League MVP last season as a player of Lagun Aro and will make his Euroleague debut with the Athenian team. The other star of Lagun Aro, Spaniard Sergi Vidal, left also the team for a two years contract with Unicaja Malaga.
Ιn Italy, EA7 Milano signed Croatian guard Rok Stipevic as a back up point guard and Cantu got also a floor general, American Jerry Smith who will make next season his European debut after a season at NBADL.
The night, at Europe, belong to an other Spaniard. Victor Claver, the 22th draft pick of 2009, is officially a player of Portland Trail Blazers after six season at Spanish club Valencia. It will be interesting to see if 23 years old Claver can be established as a rotation player for the Blazers, after being hailed as a big talent in Spain, but without a big impact in the game of his team.