For the second consecutive summer, the Euroleague has seen a landing of figures from the NBA. If a year ago the Hernangómez, Jabari Parker, Serge Ibaka, Kemba Walker, Kendrick Nunn arrived… now they do Sasha Vezenkov, Evan Fournier, Cedi Osman, Usman Garuba, Chimezie Metu, Furkan Korkmaz… Names that will shine a competition that gets 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 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
This is the case of Vezenkov, Euroleague MVP in 2023 who last season only played 42 games 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 the man who will once again be a star at Olympiacos.
Surprised by the level of the Euroleague
Other Europeans return after a long career in the NBA and others are Americans who, without a place 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,” says Ergin Ataman, coach of champion Panathinaikos.
Many NBA players finally understand now that the EuroLeague is an NBA-level competition. Sometimes higher than the regular season there
The list of signings with NBA pedigree is likely to increase during the season when the United States makes the final discards and in Europe there is a need to reinforce itself. It is a route that is traveled more and more times.
