By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
From Karditsa to Peristeri, Neoklis Avdalas embarked on a second straight loan assignment from Panathinaikos Aktor, confirming a report by Eurohoops in late June. Last season, he averaged 2.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per game with Karditsa in Greece’s Stoiximan Basket League. Next season, his efforts will combine domestic action with the Basketball Champions League. Confirmed new teammates are Dimitris Chatzis, Alexis Kamperidis, Stelios Poulianitis, Sotiris Stavrakopoulos, and Vangelis Zougris. Replacing the Best Coach of the 2023-24 BCL season, Vassilis Spanoulis, Giorgos Limniatis took over as head coach.
Elsewhere in the Champions League field, Hapoel Netanel Holon reunited with Michale Kyser, a member of the Ligat Winner championship team in 2022. His 47 appearances in FIBA Europe’s top-tier club continental competition include 19 with the Israeli club. Besides earlier summer signings of Jalen Adams, Marcus Bingham Jr., Elijah Mitrou-Long, Eliad Tal, Dakarai Tucker, and Yiftach Ziv, Holon re-signed Niv Misgav and hired Guy Goodes as the head coach in a busy offseason.
After playing for Tennessee in the NCAA and playing in the Summer League with the Golden State Warriors, Uruguayan Santiago Vescovi inked a two-year contract with BAXI Manresa to start his professional career in the Champions League and Spain’s Liga Endesa. Earlier signings for the team coached by Diego Ocampo were Derrick Alston Jr., Emanuel Cate, Cameron Hunt, Bodian Massa, Retin Obasohan, and Alex Reyes.
Coming in with 32 BCL games between Ludwigsburg and Limoges CSP, Jayvon Graves will add to his tally through Rytas. Also, the Betsafe LKL champions retained RJ Cole, Gytis Masiulis, and Margiris Normantas. Earlier in the offseason, Savion Flagg, Martynas Paliukenas, Ignas Sargiunas, and Azuolas Tubelis were placed on the roster.
Szczecin, Kolossos, and more
A veteran of 12 BCL games with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, James Woodard is back in the league as a newcomer for King Wilki Morskie Szczecin. The 30-year-old American shooting guard finished the 2023-24 season at Darussafaka. Earlier moves for the team based in Szczecin landed Chad Brown and Szymon Wojcik.
Kolossos H Hotels captain Sotiris Billis committed to an eighth campaign with the team based in Rhodes. Giannis Chatzinikolas, Paulius Danusevicius, Gabriel Galvanini, Andrew Goudelock, Nikos Kamarianos, Iosif Koloveros, Francis Okoro, London Perrantes, Andreas Petropoulos, Diamantis Slaftsakis, and Michalis Tsairelis were already in for head coach Giorgos Sigalas.
Vyacheslav Bobrov is the latest newcomer for VEF Riga. The 31-year-old Ukrainian big penned a one-year contract. Earlier additions to the team coached by Martins Gulbis were Harrison Cleary, Jaquan Lawrence, and Issuf Sanon.
After picking up Adrian Bogucki, Blazej Kulikowski, Ajdin Penava, and Marcel Ponitka, and retaining Angel Nunez, Slask Wroclaw penned 18-year-old Henri-Soprano Mboungolo-Mounanga to a four-year contract.
More firepower for Andorra
The seventh and final addition for MoraBanc Andorra heading to the Qualification Rounds is Kyle Kuric. Signing a two-year contract, the 34-year-old shooting guard will debut in the BCL. Earlier signings were Ferran Bassas, Nikos Chougkaz, Sekou Doumbouya, Shannon Evans, Ben Lammers, and Chumi Ortega.
Following the departure of Toney Douglas, Benfica signed 28-year-old Ahmaad Rorie for the next two seasons. Also, 27-year-old Trey Drechsel and 20-year-old Eduardo Francisco penned two-year contract extensions.
Fellow Qualifiers outfit, CSM Oradea landed 27-year-old Kalif Young after reuniting with Rolland Torok earlier in the offseason.