By Dimitris Minaretzis / info@eurohoops.net
The EuroLeague enters the second round of the regular season tonight and the players who started the season in the competition and changed teams can finally play with their new club.
Nazareth Mitrou-Long, for example, signed with Olympiacos at the end of November, but couldn’t play until tonight’s clash with Milano as he previously was registered with Zalgiris Kaunas. But the American-Greek guard isn’t the sole example.
With the following list, Eurohoops presents the six players who took their bags and moved to another city, country, and team, hoping to start a new successful chapter in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. It has to be noted that also the deadline for midseason transfers between EuroLeague teams has expired, but teams until the 7th of February can still add players from other competitions.
Nazareth Mitrou-Long with Olympiacos (from Zalgiris Kaunas) 
As previously anticipated, Nazareth Mitrou-Long signed for Olympiacos back on November 21, knowing he couldn’t wear the red-and-white jersey in the EuroLeague for a month and a half.
The former Milano player didn’t find his chemistry in Zalgiris Kaunas, averaging only 4.1 points and 1.0 assists in the EuroLeague with the Lithuanian team, and Georgios Bartzokas’ team took the opportunity to acquire him, adding depth to its roster.
Moreover, the Greek powerhouse also managed to add a native player to its roster, considering Nazareth Mitrou-Long’s roots. The former Brescia player will play for his third team in the EuroLeague after Milano and Zalgiris.
Shabazz Napier with Milano (from Crvena Zvezda)
Making a big impact last season considering Milano‘s struggles, Shabazz Napier has now made his return to the Italian team, failing to succeed in Belgrade after signing in the summer for Crvena Zvezda.
Considering Maodo Lo’s injury problems and Kevin Pangos’ friction with Milano – we will get there later -, Ettore Messina needed some offensive sparks in the point guard position.
Therefore, the American guard left Belgrade, where he was averaging 9.8 points and 2.3 assists in the EuroLeague, to make his second debut with the Italian team. The time has come for the prodigal son.
Kevin Pangos with Valencia (from Milano)
Out of the team’s project for a vast period, the marriage between Kevin Pangos and Milano seemed anticipatedly ended last season as well. Ettore Messina decided to confirm the Canadian guard on board in the summer of 2023, but things ultimately didn’t work out.
In the end, trying to bounce back into playoff contention after starting the season on a positive note, Valencia decided to add him to reunite the P&R partnership with Brandon Davies, seen as well in Zalgiris, Barcelona, and Milano.
How much he will contribute, considering the large number of guards – Chris Jones, Stefan Jovic, Jared Harper, and Martin Hermannsson among others – on Alex Mumbru’s roster, is currently unknown. He comes from averaging 7.2 points and 3.0 assists in this year’s EuroLeague.
Ante Zizic with Virtus Bologna (from Anadolu Efes)
When Devontae Cacok’s serious knee injury was announced, everybody expected Virtus Bologna to come back to the market trying to bring a good replacement, somebody who could give Jordan Mickey and Bryant Dunston time to breathe.
Instead, the black-and-white Italian team decided to go all-in by bringing in Ante Zizic, who wasn’t finding the ideal playing time in Anadolu Efes with the concurrency of Dan Oturu, Tyrique Jones, and Tibor Pleiss.
Being in the 2nd place in the EuroLeague to start the second part of the Regular Season, Virtus Bologna can now rely on the former Cleveland Cavaliers and Maccabi Tel Aviv center, who was putting up 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in this year’s EuroLeague.
Jaleen Smith with Partizan Belgrade (from Virtus Bologna)
When Milos Teodosic left Virtus Bologna to return to Serbia, signing with Crvena Zvezda, the black-and-white Italian side decided to bring in Jaleen Smith, who was coming off two valuable seasons in the EuroLeague with ALBA Berlin.
However, just a few months into the season, the American-Croatian guard didn’t leave his mark on Luca Banchi’s team, being now replaced by the newcomer Rihards Lomazs.
On the other end, he also traveled to Serbia, playing now for Partizan Belgrade. Considering Aleksa Avramovic’s injury and Ognjen Jaramaz’s performances so far, he looks like a good asset to bring in, averaging 5.3 points and 0.8 assists in this year’s EuroLeague.
Freddie Gillespie with Crvena Zvezda (from Bayern Munich)
Talking about players with EuroLeague experience with German teams opening a new chapter in Serbia, Freddie Gillespie did exactly that, leaving Bayern Munich to join Crvena Zvezda.
Unable to leave his signature on this year’s Bavarian side after Pablo Laso joined the team in the summer, the American will now boost the Serbian side’s center position, with Joel Bolomboy and Mike Tobey still on board.
In Germany, where he had 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds this season, he couldn’t make an impact considering both Serge Ibaka and Devin Booker sharing most of the minutes under the rim.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Emporio Armani Milano, Virtus Segafredo Bologna