For the second summer in a row, The Euroleague has seen a landing of figures from the NBA. If a year ago they arrived los Hernangómez, Jabari Parker, Serge Ibaka, Kemba Walker, Kendrick Nunn… now they do Sasha Vezenkov, Evan Fournier, Cedi Osman, Usman Garuba, Chimezie Metu, Furkan Korkmaz… Names that will give luster to a competition that is better, tougher and more equal every season.
- Sasha Vezenkov: Kings -> Olympiacos
Evan Fournier: Pistons -> Olympiacos
Cedi Osman: Spurs ->Panathinaikos
Omer Yurtseven: Heat -> Panathinaikos
Boban Marjanovic: Rockets -> Fenerbahce
Usman Garuba: Warriors -> Real Madrid
Chimezie Metu: Pistons -> Barcelona
Trent Forrest: Hawks -> Baskonia
Furkan Korkmaz: Sixers -> AS Monaco
Duane Washington: Suns -> Partizan
Frank Ntilikina: Hornets-> Partizan
Aleksey Pokusevski: Hornets -> Partizan
Jordan Nwora: Raptors -> Anadolu Efes
Stanley Johnson: Spurs -> Anadolu Efes
Armoni Brooks: Nets -> Armani Milán
Theo Maledon: Hornets -> ASVEL
Wenyel Gabriel: Grizzlies -> Maccabi
There are 17 players who have crossed the Atlantic during the summer market in the opposite direction to what basketball ambition would dictate. But each one has their reasons. Some of them andThey begin their return to Europe due to the lack of opportunities in the NBA.
I prefer to be in a competitive environment, fight for titles and feel important
Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos power forward
It is the case of Vezenkov, Euroleague MVP in 2023who only played 42 games last season with the Kings with averages of 12.2 minutes and 5.4 points. “I prefer to be in a competitive environment, fight for titles and feel important”says who will be a star again in the Olympiakos.
Surprised by the level of the Euroleague
Other Europeans return after long NBA careers and others are Americans who, with no room there, will try to explore new realities. And if you don’t know much about the Euroleague, you’ll probably be surprised and even overwhelmed.
Cedi Osman, upon his arrival in Athens after signing for Panathinaikos..
“Many NBA players finally understand now that the EuroLeague is an NBA-level competition. “Sometimes higher than the regular season level there.”thinks Ergin Atamanchampion coach Panathinaikos.
Many NBA players finally understand now that the EuroLeague is an NBA-level competition. Sometimes higher than the regular season there
Ergin Ataman, coach of Panathinaikos
The roster of signings with NBA pedigree is likely to increase during the season when in the United States they make the last discards and in Europe there is a need to reinforce itself. It is a route that is traveled more and more times each time..
