By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Thomas Scrubb signed with La Laguna Tenerife for the next season with his contract including an option for a second year with the Canary Islands outfit. The 32-year-old forward resurfaces in the Basketball Champions League after making his way to 31 games between spells with Monbus Obradoiro, SIG Strasbourg, and Sidigas Avellino. New teammates include Lluis Costa, Ilimane Diop, Bruno Fitipaldo, Marcelinho Huertas, Konstantin Kostadinov, and Giorgi Shermadini.
Paul Biligha is returning to the BCL as well. After 28 appearances with Umana Reyer Venice from 2017 to 2019, the 34-year-old Italian center is back by joining Bertram Derthona Tortona. The Italian club previously welcomed Justin Gorham, Tommy Kuhse, and Christian Vital, and retained Ismael Kamagate and Andrea Zerini.
Jumping to the Champions League, 20-year-old Filippo Gallo inked a multiyear contract with Unahotels Reggio Emilia. Earlier in the offseason, head coach Dimitris Priftis and 30-year-old point guard Lorenzo Uglietti signed two-year contract extensions.
Vechta, Nanterre, Szombathely
After re-signing Ryan Schwieger and Luc Van Slooten, Rasta Vechta completed the first offseason addition penning 24-year-old Grant Sherfield to a one-year contract. The American guard will debut in the Champions League.
Another BCL rookie, 22-year-old Milan Barbitch penned a one-year contract with Nanterre 92. Frank Jackson was the first summer signing, besides extending the contracts of Lucas Dussoulier and Desi Rodriguez.
Seven years after parting ways with Falco Szombathely, 29-year-old Kristof Bognar reunited with the champions of Hungary’s NB I/A. His return followed the signing of Nikola Popovic.
McNeace joins Cholet
Heading to the Qualification Rounds, Cholet added Jamuni McNeace. The 28-year-old center played in five games of the 2023-24 edition of the BCL with PAOK mateco. Stef Smith, Bastien Vautier, and Aaron Wheeler were picked up earlier in the offseason, while Gerald Ayayi, T.J. Campbell, and Nathan De Sousa inked contract extensions.
At Fribourg Olympic, head coach Thibaut Petit signed a four-year contract extension. Players coming back for the next season extended to 29-year-old Eric Nottage and 32-year-old Cheikh Sane, following Ross Williams. Jumping into the squad, Massimiliano Dell’Acqua was also confirmed earlier in the offseason.
Levicki Patrioti added 27-year-old Stephon Jelks. David Abrham, Boris Bojanovsky, Daniel Chaban, Alex Krajcovic, Lukas Kulcar, Patrik Pazicky, Samuel Solcansky, and Felix Terins are the remaining confirmed players for the next season.
More Qualifiers moves
The Norrkoping Dolphins reunited with 27-year-old Devonte Green. The Indiana product is teaming up with Keenon Cole, Nathan Dawit, Sebastian Forsling, Pierre Hampton, Adam Ramstedt, Tim Schuberg, and Marcus Tyus.
Following Laurynas Beliauskas, Sarunas Beniusis, Titas Didzgalvis, Evaldas Saulys, Ernestas Sederevičius, and Zygimantas Skucas, Uniclub Casino – Juventus placed 28-year-old Joe Chealey on the 2024-25 roster.
After signing Elias Lasisi, Arne Schrevens, and Kevin Tumba, Telenet Giants Antwerp picked up 25-year-old Michael Flowers.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL