By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The MVP of Round 9, 10, and 14 of the 2022-23 edition of EuroCup, Jordan McRae opted to leave Hapoel Tel Aviv. Besides announcing his decision via a post on Twitter, he is in advanced talks with lasting Basketball Champions League original AEK.
McRae, 32, produced 15.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per 7DAYS EuroCup game on his second run in the second-tier competition of Euroleague Basketball. In Israel’s Winner League, his efforts translated into 16.0 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per contest.
The 2016 NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers made his way to 125 NBA games until 2020 and the decision to move his talents overseas.
I respect a man who tells you the truth… this a business.. going a different direction is part of it … but I loved every second of the time together… I can close this chapter knowing I gave it my all… forever in my heart and forever grateful… let’s see what happens next!!!
— Jordan McRae (@JordyMac52) July 13, 2023
UPDATE: McRae and AEK have reached a deal.
More moves for Slask and Hamburg
Penning a one-year contract, Aleksander Dziewa moved from Slask Wroclaw to Veolia Towers Hamburg to return to the BKT EuroCup for a third straight campaign. New teammates will include Will Christmas, Mark Hughes, and V.J. King with Benka Barloschky staying as head coach.
Poland’s EuroCup team was busy as well with 45-year-old Oliver Vidin returning for a second stint as head coach on a two-year contract and 24-year-old guard Rodney Chatman committing his sophomore professional campaign to the Wroclaw outfit. Confirmed teammates are Daniel Golebiowski, Lukasz Kolenda, Jakub Niziol, Artsiom Parakhouski, and Aleksander Wisniewski.
Martynas Varnas inked a contract for the next season with an option for an additional season to join 7bet-Lietkabelis. The Lithuanian swingman will be teaming up with Dovis Bickauskis, Vytenis Lipkevicius, Gabrielius Maldunas, Gediminas Orelik and incoming players in his EuroCup debut.
Upon the arrival of Dusan Alimpijevic, Besiktas recently expanded the rebuild to Leyton Hammonds. Earlier entries were Egehan Arna, Angel Delgado, Berkan Durmaz, Jonah Mathews, Matt Mitchell, Derek Needham, and Berk Ugurlu.
From Telekom Baskets Bonn to Paris, Leon Kratzer followed both head coach Tuomas Iisalo and fellow big Michael Kessens. More players on the roster are Gauthier Denis, Mohamed Diawara, Nadir Hifi, Jean Noba, Enzo Shahrvin, Dustin Sleva, and Axel Toupane.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net