By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After months of speculation regarding the future of Walter Tavares, the experienced Cape Verdean big is set to sign a contract extension with Real Madrid.
Tavares, 32, agreed to ink a three-year contract extension, according to Ramon Alvarez de Mon.
Following a cup of tea with the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, he moved his talents to the team based in the capital of Spain in 2017. Using tremendous stretch stemming from standing at 2.21 meters, his efforts translated into two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championships with Los Blancos in 2018 and 2023, highlighted by a Final Four MVP nod last season in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Becoming the all-time leader in blocks, he was named Best Defender in Europe’s premier club continental competition after the 2018-19, 2020-21, and 2022-23 seasons. More individual accomplishments stretch into the All-EuroLeague First Team over the last three years. In 2018-19, he settled for a spot in the Second Team.
In the 2023-24 installment of the EuroLeague, contributing to a dominating run en route to the 2024 Final Four in Berlin, Tavares tallied 9.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest over 32 appearances, including 31 starts for the team coached by Chus Mateo. Logging 26 games played in Spain’s Liga Endesa, he averaged 9.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game with his side sitting second on the ACB standings before the finale of the Regular Season and a home fixture opposite Baskonia on Sunday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net