By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign, stretching from the Basketball Champions League to the Paf Latvian–Estonian Basketball League and the domestic cup in Latvia, VEF Riga moved on from Janis Gailitis and hired Martins Gulbis as the new head coach.
Bouncing back in men’s basketball after successful spells in the senior women’s national team of Latvia and TTT Riga, Gulbis signed a one-year contract with an option for two more seasons. Departing Gailitis became the new head coach of Syntainics MBC in Germany’s easyCredit BBL after 17 consecutive years with the Vefins, from the end of the playing career to launching his coaching career. He was head coach since 2015.
A new head coach at Cholet as well. Fabrice LeFrancois was hired by the French club en route to the Qualification Round of the 2024-25 installment of the Champions League. Early roster moves featured veteran floor general T.J. Campbell and young point guard Nathan De Sousa inked two-year contract extensions, besides promising youngster Mohamed Diawara arriving via a two-year contract.
Resurfacing in the BCL after a five-year break, Nanterre 92 penned Desi Rodriguez and Lucas Dussoulier to two-year contract extensions. Beyond re-signing promising prospect Nolan Traore, fellow French side Saint-Quentin also retained Dominik Olejniczak and Loic Schwartz and added Mohamed Diakite.
Italy, Bonn, Rytas
Jumping into the offseason in style, Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari picked up Bosnian forward Miralem Halilovic, American point guard Justin Bibbins, Polish forward Michal Sokolowski, Italian guard Mattia Udom, and Italian forward Giovanni Veronesi. Incoming for Bertram Derthona Tortona, Italian guard Davide Denegri penned a one-year contract.
After starting his professional career at Telekom Baskets Bonn midway through the 2023-24 season, Lars Thiemann signed a two-year contract extension with the German club.
Meanwhile, Rytas re-upped 28-year-old swingman Gytis Radzevicius for the next season.
An international guard with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vojin Ilic moved to Igokea m:tel.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL