By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Barring an unexpected setback, Nick Calathes will reinforce AS Monaco from the top of the next two-game week of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.
After debuting with La Roca Team in Round 1 of the Betclic Elite Regular Season, he was sidelined with a knee injury. Way beyond the initial projections of missing three to four weeks, his absence stretched to nearly three months. However, he is considered probable to play against FC Bayern Munich in Salle Gaston Medecin on Tuesday.
In Round 16 of the EuroLeague Regular Season, Calathes is likely to finally launch his 13th journey in Europe’s premier club continental competition. Carrying the experience of 358 appearances, including the 2011 championship with Panathinaikos, he is the all-time leader in assists and steals.
Coming off the injury list, he will officially reunite with the new head coach of Monaco, Vassilis Spanoulis, following a successful collaboration with the senior national team of Greece during the offseason, in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus and the ensuing Olympic Games in France.
With Furkan Korkmaz and Mouhammadou Jaiteh recently resurfacing from the injury list, only Alpha Diallo remains out for the team coached by Spanoulis. The 27-year-old forward is nursing an injury in his left knee and is projected to sit out at least two more weeks.
At 10-5, Monaco is tied with Bayern and Fenerbahce Beko in second place, one game behind the leader of the standings and domestic rival in France, Paris.