By Axilleas Mavrodontis / info@eurohoops.net
The BCL continues to grow and improve, while at the same time, the organization of FIBA has been a great opportunity for many players, who through it rose to the occasion, were able to shine and take the next step in their careers.
Expect to see such cases in the 2020-21 season as well, with the teams already starting to build their rosters, in order to appear as strong as possible in view of their competitive obligations.
With the end of this past season and the start of the new one approaching, the teams, as mentioned above, moved in the transfer market and strengthened significantly. With that in mind, Eurohoops searched and picked out twelve transfer moves that can raise the level of their teams at the beginning of the action.
Update: Two more significant entries made the cut, as their signings were announced after the initial list. Scroll down to see which two players accompany the rest of the Top 12 below!
Sean Kilpatrick
Current team: Tofas
Former team: Buducnost
Contract expiration: 2021
When a player has experience from the NBA as well as Euroleague, then it means he can become invaluable for any team. One such case is Sean Kilpatrick for Tofas.
The American, after half a season in Greece and Panathinaikos, but also an entire one in Buducnost, is preparing for the new challenge of his career, moving to Tofas and Turkey, with the intention of raising the level of the club.
Last season, the 30-year-old averaged 9.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in the ABA League and 16.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the EuroCup.
Michael Eric
Current team: Turk Telekom
Former team: Baskonia
Contract expiration: 2021
He may not have had his best season with Baskonia, but the quality of Michael Eric is a given and the 32-year-old Nigerian can make the biggest contribution to a good course for Turk Telekom.
Eric, who also played for AEK and Panelefsiniakos, had the best season of his career the last time he played in Turkey. While wearing Darussafaka’s jersey, he averaged 11.1 points and five rebounds (and almost one block) in the Euroleague.
Last season with Baskonia, he logged 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in an average of 15 minutes.
Aaron Doornekamp
Current team: Tenerife
Former team: Valencia
Contract expiration: 2023
Aaron Doornekamp joined up forces with Tenerife for the second time in his career looking to repeat the success of the last one.
The experienced ace, after three years in Valencia, returns to the team of Txus Vidorreta, with which, in 2017, he had celebrated the BCL title and he will without a doubt be a valuable addition for the Spaniards.
The 34-year-old averaged 4.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in Euroleague and 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in ACB.
Jaromir Bohacik
Current team: Strasbourg
Former team: Nymburk
Contract expiration: 2021
Jaromir Bohacik has plenty of experience in the Basketball Champions League and will be very important for Strasbourg’s game.
He is an excellent shooter, among the best in BCL, and the French team will be significantly strengthened in its offensive game thanks to it.
This past season in the Czech Republic, he averaged 15.6 points on 52% from the three-point territory while adding 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and one steal.
Yanick Moreira
Current team: ΑΕΚ
Former team: Peristeri
Contract expiration: 2021
For another year, Yannick Moreira will play in Greece as he moved to AEK after the excellent season he had with Peristeri.
AEK is expected to rely a lot on his quality under the basket, while he is also a player who knows what winning a championship means, as he won BCL in 2019 with Virtus Bologna.
The 29-year-old Angolan center last season played for Peristeri, averaging 12.5 points with 6.7 rebounds in the Greek League while in the BCL, he averaged 12.9 points with 6.7 rebounds.
Giannis Athinaiou
Current team: Peristeri
Former Team: Panathinaikos
Contract expiration: 2021
Giannis Athinaiou has been through a tough period this past year as, due to injuries, he didn’t step on the court at all and never managed to wear the Panathinaikos jersey in an official match.
Nonetheless, it is a great addition for Peristeri, as the 32-year-old is a player with tremendous experience and talent, who can lead Peristeri one step further than last season.