By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
It’s not over. Plenty to expect later in the offseason with multiple Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams seeking ways to improve respective rosters. Let’s survey what has been done so far.
Eurohoops presents the Top 10 transfers so far. The players making our list were sorted in alphabetical order.
Keep in mind that players like Nemanja Bjelica, Nick Calathes, and Tornike Shengelia are considered probable to jump into a EuroLeague club in the near future. This list contains the best moves up to this point and certainly delivers with household names of the competition finding new homes ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Spoiler alert, Marius Grigonis and Brandon Davies were among the moves narrowly missing the list. Plus the Browns – Lorenzo of Maccabi and John of Monaco – just missed the cut.
Will Clyburn to Anadolu Efes
Forward
32 / USA
2021-22 EuroLeague stats: 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals (20 games)
Were we expecting Anadolu Efes to sit back and enjoy back-to-back championships? Unofficially opening the offseason by bringing in a former MVP in Will Clyburn proves otherwise. That addition alone would shape a good sum for the Istanbul club but more good news followed (Micic, Larkin, etc.).
Clyburn, 32, was the last Final Four MVP not named Vasilije Micic. Big-time performances in Vitoria-Gasteiz powered CSKA past Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes in 2019. Three years later, teaming up with Micic and other former opponents is scary.
Nando de Colo to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne
Guard
35 / France
2021-22 EuroLeague stats: 11.9 points, 3.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals (21 games)
Another former MVP is on the move. Nando de Colo opted to join forces with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and insert himself in the project of Tony Parker. Back in France for the first time since 2009.
Lot has happened since departing Cholet. From being picked in the 2009 NBA draft to playing in 245 EuroLeague games and becoming a two-time champion. In 2016, he was the season and Final Four MVP.
From Valencia, CSKA, and Fenerbahce Beko to ASVEL. A different situation but still the floor general and leader.
Mario Hezonja to Real Madrid
Forward
27 / Croatia
2021-22 EuroLeague stats: 14.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals (25 games)
Real Madrid never ceases to amaze. A blockbuster addition in Mario Hezonja is the latest example of effectively strengthening the squad just as most assume the limit has been reached.
The Croatian forward fits nicely in a deep squad. It really looks promising for Los Blancos.
In an exciting twist, rival FC Barcelona was home for Hezonja, before the NBA until 2015. From Barcelona to Madrid with multiple stops in between.
Gabriel Iffe Lundberg to Virtus Segafredo Bologna
Guard
27 / Denmark
2021-22 EuroLeague stats: 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals (24 games)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna finally returned to the top club continental competition of Europe. A different era compared to the last participation in EuroLeague in 2008. Picking up Gabriel Iffe Lundberg was a huge move.
Lundberg, 27, has been successful in every single European venture, from Spain to Poland and Russia. He had a cup of tea with the Phoenix Suns late in the 2021-22 season but is back and will definitely be a demanding matchup for any team.