By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A couple of lasting originals in the Basketball Champions League, Lenovo Tenerife and AEK were active on Tuesday.
Hinting toward a contract extension with the team based in the Canary Islands, Giorgi Shermadini indeed went on to ink a one-year contract with an option for an additional season. Since joining Tenerife in 2019, the Georgian center going from strength to strength including being crowned BCL champion in 2022. Bringing in Dusan Ristic plus keeping both Joan Sastre and Elgin Cook marked the previous peaks of the offseason.
After naming Joan Plaza as the new head coach and signing Manos Chatzidakis to a three-year contract, AEK’s next official move landed Giannis Kouzeloglou until the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. The 22-year-old Greek forward finished the 2021-22 season with the Queen and split the 2022-23 season between Lavrio Megabolt and Hereda San Pablo Burgos.
Arturs Strautins joins Tortona, J. J. O’Brien signs with Tofas
Italy’s new BCL participant, Bertram Derthona Tortona incorporated the know-how stemming from 12 Champions League games played between UnaHotels Reggio Emilia and SikeliArchivi Capo d’Orlando through Latvian swingman Arturs Strautins. Tommaso Baldasso, Mike Daum, Chris Dowe, and Andrea Zerini make out the rest of the summer signings or extensions.
Another direct entry to the Regular Season, Tofas strengthened the roster with 31-year-old small forward J. J. O’Brien. The first addition to the squad during the offseason is a Champions League newcomer with experience of 45 appearances in 7DAYS EuroCup between Buducnost VOLI and AS Monaco.
Qualifiers bids
Among clubs vying for a berth in the Regular Season through the Qualifiers, BG Gottingen secured the services of 22-year-old guard Zachary Ensminger, a veteran of six appearances in Telekom Basket Bonn’s run to the Champions League title last season. Bodie Hume, Harper Kamp, Mathis Monninghoff, Osaro Jurgen Rich, and Karlis Silins alongside youngster Peter Hemschemeier are the remaining players confirmed so far by the team based in Gottingen.
From retaining head coach Elad Hasin and veteran center Jerome Meyinsse, Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona bounced back with Itay Segev, a veteran of 25 BCL games with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, inking him to a two-year contract. Also on the way to the Qualifiers, Finland’s Kauhajoki Karhu Basket picked up 26-year-old combo guard Tahj Eaddy and Poland’s Legia Warsaw added Shawn Pipes Jr.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League