By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Looking into the new Basketball Champions League season, Telekom Baskets Bonn adds yet another piece in the form of explosive guard Brian Fobbs.
Fobbs, 25, is coming off the MVP campaign in the 2022-23 edition of the BNXT League highlighting impressive showings with Kangoeroes Mechelen, expanding to six appearances in the FIBA Europe Cup. Previous BCL experience stems from Salon Vilpas and the Qualifiers before the 2021-22 Regular Season. The defending champions of FIBA Europe’s top-tier club continental competitions previously announced Roel Moors as the new head coach and confirmed Harald Frey, Noah Kirkwood, Flo Koch, Till Pape, and Benedikt Turudic on the squad.
Aaron Doornekamp penning a two-year contract extension emerged as the latest returning player for Lenovo Tenerife. Earlier in the offseason, Giorgi Shermadini and Joan Sastre re-signed as well, Elgin Cook opted in, and Dusan Ristic is the lone addition to Txus Vidorreta’s squad so far in the offseason.
Galatasaray completes transfers of two more players
Samet Geyik and Miralem Halilovic are the latest summer signings for Galatasaray Nef.
Geyik, 30, inked a two-year contract. The veteran of 44 Champions League games between Besiktas and Turk Telekom, spent the 2022-23 season in a minor role at Fenerbahce Beko.
Halilovic, 31, will instead debut in the BCL. Other incoming players for the team coached by Zvezdan Mitrovic are Jonah Radebaugh, Ismet Akpinar, and Bugrahan Tuncer.
Mouhamet Diouf joins Breogan
Rio Breogan secured the services of Mouhamet Diouf for the next season, including the first Champions League Regular Season appearance in team history. In 2022-23, the 21-year-old forward got his first international caps with Italy’s senior national team, besides logging five BCL games at the bottom end of the long spell with UnaHotels Reggio Emilia. The team based in Lugo previously signed Anthony Polite, Zan Mark Sisko, Matej Rudan, and Matas Jogela. Also, Sergi Garcia, Toni Nakic, and Stefan Momirov all penned contract extensions.
Meanwhile, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg handed Jacob Patrick his first professional contract to keep him around, instead of the 19-year-old guard furthering development in the NCAA. His brother Johannes Patrick already opted to run it back. Jayvon Graves, Jonathan Bahre, Yorman Polas Bartolo, and Desure Buie are all officially heading to the 2023-24 squad under head coach Josh King.
Elsewhere, Michael Gilmore penned a one-year contract to join PAOK mateco. The Greek portion of the roster by reuniting with Michalis Tsairelis, and retaining both Nikos Tsiakmas and Vangelis Margaritis, described the top end of the offseason.
Seeking a berth in the Regular Season
Besides direct entries, multiple teams will compete for a spot in the Regular Season through the Qualifiers.
Monbus Obradoiro extended longtime head coach Moncho Fernandez and also retained experienced forward Alvaro Munoz, before bringing in 30-year-old guard Eric Washington in the latest move.
Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona boosted the squad with 24-year-old Yair Kravitz via a two-year contract. Previous announcements stretched from Jerome Meyinsse staying and Itay Segev coming in for the Israeli club.
In its own offseason opening move, Kalev/Cramo inked 22-year-old Leemet Bockler to a one-year contract with an option for an additional season.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL