By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Building the roster for the 2024-25 edition of the BKT EuroCup, Bahcesehir Koleji announced a contract extension for 33-year-old American point guard Tony Taylor. The George Washington product carries experience from ten appearances with Turk Telekom, back in the 2014-15 installment of Euroleague Basketball’s second-tier club continental competition. Egehan Arna and Tyler Cavanaugh are also running it back with the Red Dragons. Goktug Bas, Furman Haltali, Tai Odiase, and Marko Simonovic are the new faces, so far.
Another EuroCup newcomer, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem re-upped Speedy Smith for a third straight season. In the 2020-21 edition of the EuroCup, the 31-year-old American point guard logged nine appearances with Telenet Giants Antwerp. Earlier in the offseason, the Israeli club confirmed Yonatan Alon as the head coach and Dan Shamir as the general manager.
In the third summer signing for Dolomiti Energia Trento, Selom Mawugbe penned a deal for the 2024-25 season. The 25-year-old rim protector will debut in the BKT EuroCup, after entering European club continental competitions last season, through the Basketball Champions League with Le Mans. Earlier additions were Myles Cale and Andrea Pecchia.
Fellow Italian club, Umana Reyer Venice signed 25-year-old center Alessandro Lever to a multiyear deal. Before moving to Grand Canyon for four NCAA seasons, the Italian big played in one game of the 2015-16 EuroCup with Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia. He joined Tyler Ennis and Carl Wheatle on the list of newcomers.
Boosting the frontline of JL Bourg, Jean-Marc Pansa inked a two-year contract with the French club. Following ten appearances with Nanterre 92 in the 2019-20 season, the 26-year-old French center returns to EuroCup. He is the fourth newcomer after Wilson Jacques, Mehdy Ngouama, and Jordan Usher. Also, Maksim Salash extended his contract.
Bedides completing the addition of David DeJulius, Aris Midea also secured the services of 28-year-old power forward Giorgos Giouzelis for the next season. The Thessaloniki outfit previously re-signed Vassilis Toliopoulos and added Manos Chatzidakis.
Elsewhere, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv signed 31-year-old forward Oz Blayzer, after picking up Joe Ragland and Guy Palatin.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL