Basketball Sphere journalists preview the entire EuroLeague season – who will make the Final Four, who will be the MVP of the regular season, and who will ultimately lift the trophy?
Almost every year, there is talk about how a certain EuroLeague campaign will be different. How that specific edition will be the most balanced and the highest in quality. This time, however, the competition has truly entered another dimension. With Alba Berlin, a long-time EuroLeague partner, leaving, and with the arrival of Middle Eastern capital through Dubai, along with powerful projects like Hapoel Tel Aviv and a revitalized Valencia, European club basketball will never be the same again.
That is why, in a special feature, Basketball Sphere journalists – Miroslav Dragoljevic, Dejan Gajic, and Vuk-Milos Petrovic – will present an in-depth analysis of a wide range of the most intriguing topics related to the upcoming season.
1) Who will win the EuroLeague?
Panathinaikos will host the Final Four and has therefore emerged as a very serious favorite to lift the trophy. Also in the mix are the reigning champion Fenerbahce, always competitive Olympiacos, Monaco boosted by Nikola Mirotic, and Real Madrid…
Miroslav: Panathinaikos. If we look strictly on paper, the answer is Panathinaikos. On paper, this is one of the best teams in EuroLeague history. T.J. Shorts and Kendrick Nunn form an insanely powerful backcourt duo, Mathias Lessort and Richaun Holmes are a dream frontcourt, Cedi Osman is probably the best wing in the competition, and then there are Kostas Sloukas, Jerian Grant, Juancho Hernangomez, and many more. If the format were a best-of series until the end, it would be a miracle of miracles if this team didn’t win the EuroLeague routinely—provided they stay healthy. In the Final Four roulette, however, one bad shooting night and it’s goodbye. Plus, it’s no coincidence that in ten years of this format, the regular season winner has never lifted the trophy. Still, we shouldn’t forget that OAKA will host the final tournament, which is a massive advantage for Ergin Ataman’s team.
Dejan: At this moment, naming any team other than Panathinaikos would be out of place. To the immense quality they already had, they added phenomenal acquisitions, first and foremost T.J. Shorts, and in addition, the highly underrated Richaun Holmes, who doesn’t get talked about enough. Even though Mathias Lessort won’t be at his best at the very start of the season, the length of the EuroLeague format and calendar gives him more than enough time to peak when it matters most. That has always been a trademark of Ergin Ataman’s teams. If we also factor in role players like Vassilis Toliopoulos and Nikos Rogkavopoulos, who can knock down 4–5 threes against anyone if they get hot, it adds even more variety to Panathinaikos’ offense, which already looks brutal with Kendrick Nunn, Cedi Osman, and veteran Kostas Sloukas. Sloukas, even in limited minutes, should be highly productive since Nunn and Shorts will carry the primary load.
Vuk: Panathinaikos. Plain and simple—at least when it comes to who the number one favorite is. By signing T.J. Shorts, they did a lot. The aging Kostas Sloukas is slowing down, and they needed someone to run the “Greens” at full speed for 30-plus minutes. The fact that Shorts joined Panathinaikos also weakened other teams that wanted him, which is not negligible. The addition of center Richaun Holmes perfectly completed Ergin Ataman’s summer roster. When you add the fact that OAKA will host the Final Four, there isn’t another team in Europe that can stand ahead of Panathinaikos at this moment.
2) Who will make the Final Four?
It seems that two tickets are almost “guaranteed.” The final tournament will be held in Greece, which will serve as special motivation for both Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. Monaco, with Nikola Mirotic, also emerges as a serious contender, while Basketball Sphere journalists offered other options as well.
Miroslav: Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Monaco, and Partizan. Everything has already been said about Panathinaikos. In my opinion, after Panathinaikos, Monaco has by far the most powerful starting five in the EuroLeague. Mike James and Nikola Mirotic are among the biggest superstars in the competition, and I personally expect that duo to be spectacular on the court. Alpha Diallo is currently the best two-way player in the EuroLeague, Daniel Theis is one of the best centers, while Elie Okobo and Matthew Strazel are consistently improving. This team has everything needed for success and already proved it last season—now they’ve added Mirotic. As for Olympiacos, I give them the lowest percentage chance out of these four, but it would simply be irresponsible not to include them, given how powerful they usually are in the regular season. And stealing a playoff game in Piraeus is never easy. When it comes to Partizan, they have everything required to go all the way. Three excellent guards in C. Jones, Milton, and Washington, two elite shooters in Brown and Parker, perhaps the EuroLeague’s best defender in Bonga, a center (T. Jones) who could easily become “Lessort vol. 2” and land in the All-EuroLeague team, plus plenty of role players. Add Zeljko Obradovic—the greatest European coach of all time—and Partizan doesn’t need to overachieve much to reach Athens in May.
Dejan: For me, Panathinaikos is the top favorite in the regular season and could even become the first team in this format to break the “curse” of the regular-season champion never winning the EuroLeague. Hosting the Final Four in Athens adds even more weight. Along with them, I see Olympiacos (this would be their fifth straight Final Four with this roster), Real Madrid, and—with some caution, but under the condition that everything finally clicks – Partizan. They addressed their biggest weakness at power forward, retained their core quartet of key players, and are expected to add another guard and a center. On paper, that should be enough for them to achieve their biggest success since Zeljko Obradovic returned to the club.
Vuk: Besides Panathinaikos, I see Olympiacos, Monaco, and Anadolu Efes. Olympiacos should not miss the chance to play the Final Four in Greece. As for Monaco, in other circumstances I might have left them out, since Nikola Mirotic’s signing doesn’t fully convince me that the Principality team is ready for a championship breakthrough. No matter how talented he is, something has always been missing when it comes to winning trophies. Still, it should be enough for a Final Four appearance. On the other hand, Anadolu Efes looks excellent to me. Starting with coach Igor Kokoskov, a true offensive mastermind whose philosophy fits perfectly with the Turkish club’s traditional style of play.
Claim Now 3) Who will be the MVP?
Kendrick Nunn won the prestigious award last season, but now his biggest rival from that period, T.J. Shorts, has joined him in Panathinaikos. Without a doubt, the new point guard of the Greens will be a leading MVP candidate, though others will also be in the mix. And even in this scenario, the red-and-white colors cannot be left out.
Miroslav: T.J. Shorts. All respect to Paris for everything they accomplished last season, but I’d bet that many of their players will disappoint in the upcoming year. I’m talking about those who “cashed in” heavily on the team’s success and moved elsewhere. Shorts created such an advantage that he turned average shooters into elite ones, because nearly every shot they took was wide open. Even Kevarrius Hayes looked like a serious center thanks to Shorts, as four-fifths of his points came from easy layups after Shorts’ magic. In this Panathinaikos team, which I predict will finish first in the regular season, I believe the “American Macedonian” will be just as successful and will ultimately add this prestigious trophy to his career, already filled with MVP honors. If guys like Ward and Malcolm looked like great 3-and-D players next to Shorts, imagine what shooters like Osman, Rogkavopoulos, and Grant will do when he serves everything on a platter. And Lessort—if Hayes looked that good with Shorts, I can’t wait to see how much higher the French center will rise.
Dejan: Kendrick Nunn. If Panathinaikos achieves what I expect from them, the primary reason will be the leadership and quality that Nunn brings. He already showed the consistency needed for such an award when he had a streak of five straight games scoring at least 25 points, and often went over 30. In this team, in this moment, I expect him to shine even more.
Vuk: Sasha Vezenkov. Olympiacos won’t carry the same burden of being the outright favorite like they did last year, since Panathinaikos has that role now. That should free them up to perform even better in the early part of the season before their usual playoff dominance. In all of that, the Bulgarian international typically plays the leading role, and I expect it will be the case once again.
4) Who will be the best coach?
This award has been one of the biggest debates for years. According to many, last season it should have gone to Tiago Splitter or Gordon Herbert instead of Sarunas Jasikevicius. However, the Lithuanian coach confirmed his quality by winning the title at the Final Four. Now, the situation might play out differently.
Miroslav: Zeljko Obradovic. Since I see Partizan finishing in the EuroLeague top six during the regular season, I think that would be enough for zeljko Obradovic to add another accolade to his career. This is an award “voted on” by coaches, and we know the kind of influence Partizan’s head coach has on all of them. Even three seasons ago, he was close to winning it when the black-and-whites managed to reach the playoffs. If, after a season in which his team finished outside the top 10, he lifts them into the top 6, that should be enough to get the majority of first-place votes.
Dejan: The EuroLeague usually gives this award to the coach whose team finishes first in the standings. Looking back at last season, Sarunas Jasikevicius received the award before the playoffs and before he won the trophy. In hindsight, that was justified, but the truth is that Tiago Splitter and Gordon Herbert delivered results far above expectations. For me, that’s the main parameter – “overachievement.” If Panathinaikos finishes first, I have no doubt Ergin Ataman will get the award. But since it’s given after the regular season, and the team I see as the biggest pleasant surprise is Dubai, if that actually happens, I would give it to Jurica Golemac – even though at this moment it doesn’t look very realistic.
Vuk: Igor Kokoskov. I expect a lot from him. He’s had bad luck so far in his short European club career, coaching national teams or clubs at difficult times. He led Serbia during its toughest period, then Fenerbahce right after Zeljko Obradovic’s departure. In those circumstances, he couldn’t really shine. Now, I believe he will finally capitalize on his experience and prove why he is so highly respected in both European and global basketball.
5) Who will finish last?
Alba Berlin left the competition and moved to the FIBA Champions League, but that didn’t change the consensus among Basketball Sphere journalists regarding which team is expected to end up at the bottom of the standings. The league will be extremely balanced, yet one roster still stands out.
Miroslav: Asvel. It’s enough to say that their frontcourt consists of two players that I’d bet half my monthly salary 75% of our portal’s journalists have never even heard of – and these are people who follow the game closely and in detail. To be honest, I couldn’t even remember the name of Bastien Vautier, and I watched Cholet two or three times last year. Pierric Poupet has so far managed to get the maximum out of what he’s had, but this will be a true Sisyphean task to lift Asvel above the position Alba Berlin occupied for years.
Dejan: Asvel. Numerous problems have been present for a while, and from sources close to the club, I’ve heard they owe a large amount of money to players. From a basketball standpoint, their transfer moves don’t look promising either. Asvel could very easily take over Alba Berlin’s role in the 2025-26 season.
Vuk: Asvel. Even though they had some good moments last season, they won’t be able to replace the departure of Theo Maledon. There have also been reports of financial issues, and the club doesn’t look like a stable environment right now. Last season, they managed a few brilliant games but still ended up near the bottom. This time, they are even weaker.
6) Who will be the surprise of the season?
Paris lit up the entire European basketball scene in 2024-25, proving that even as a debutant a team can be a sensation. Now, others are searching for a similar story, and it could very well belong to a multiple-time European champion.
Miroslav: Maccabi Tel Aviv. Since my colleague Dejan already “snatched” Dubai before me, it wouldn’t be fair to take the same pick, even though I agree with him that they’ll at least make the EuroLeague play-in. My pick is Maccabi Tel Aviv, who many analysts – much to my surprise – see in the lower part of the table. Lonnie Walker showed in a Zalgiris jersey that he can be one of the best scorers in the EuroLeague, and if there’s a system made for him, it’s Maccabi’s. Their frontcourt is respectable, Dowtin and Brissett bring NBA experience and quality, while T.J. Leaf and Tamir Blatt add a spark off the bench. If we also remember that Oded Kattash took a team projected to finish 15th (something similar to now) to one possession away from the Final Four three seasons ago, and repeated that feat a year later despite playing almost the entire season outside Tel Aviv on neutral courts, then there’s no reason not to believe he can do something similar with this roster. The starting five is quite solid, and making the playoffs would be seen publicly as a big surprise—though personally, I wouldn’t be shocked at all.
Dejan: Dubai. As I already mentioned when discussing the Best Coach award, and in complete contrast to what Asvel has done in terms of signings, I really like how this roster looks. The injury to Mam Jaiteh did cast a bit of a shadow, but they still have several quality players at every position. Dzanan Musa is the projected leader of the team, and he’s already shown he can carry that responsibility. In short, they had a smart transfer window, filling positions the right way and building a roster deep enough to handle such a long season. On top of that, their geographical location will be a big advantage, since from the very start of the EuroLeague they’ll be the least favorite away trip for every opponent.
Vuk: Maccabi Tel Aviv. I’ll agree with my colleague Miroslav. With the arrival of new general manager Claudio Coldebella, the Israeli team looks like it has gained another layer of quality. Better player selection has been their big issue in recent seasons, even when they had more money to spend before the war. This summer, his stamp was visible right away—not just with the signing of Lonnie Walker, whom they snatched from several EuroLeague rivals, but also with other additions who could shine under the radar. I’m especially curious to see how Uros Trifunovic adapts to his new environment – or rather, conditionally “new,” since Maccabi plays its home games in Belgrade. The pressure in Partizan seemed to affect him negatively, but now that he’s free of it, he could become productive offensively at the EuroLeague level while maintaining his trademark defensive edge.
7) Who will be the disappointment of the season?
Just as there are positive surprises, there are also disappointments. Sometimes injuries play a role, sometimes poor form, and sometimes bad roster construction. In a field of increasingly powerful teams, reaching the very top is harder, but failure becomes even more painful when the investment doesn’t translate into results.
Miroslav: Hapoel Tel Aviv. At first glance, how can a team making its EuroLeague debut be a disappointment? Well, when you pay one player more than anyone ever has in EuroLeague history, then you land on the list of teams expected to at least reach the top eight. Oddsmakers even project them around sixth place. Elijah Bryant and Dan Oturu are serious additions, and there are several players with plenty of experience. Johnathan Motley has already been among the best centers in the EuroLeague, Chris Jones can make a difference, and we saw Anthony Blakeney’s scoring capacity in the EuroCup semifinals. Still, this is all new for Hapoel Tel Aviv, they’ll be playing home games on neutral ground in Bulgaria, coach Dimitris Itoudis admitted these were the toughest preparations of his career, and there are question marks over how long it will take Vasilije Micić to regain peak form. Too many bumps on the road, and I can see Hapoel falling into one and finishing outside the top 10 – which would be a serious disappointment given the money spent.
Dejan: I have one dilemma here because my first two picks for disappointment are Barcelona and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Barcelona has built a team that looks great on paper – if this were 2021. Too many injury-prone players who are past their best years doesn’t inspire much confidence. As for Hapoel, they’re a team many people expect to be near the top, but I’m not convinced it will look that way on the floor. They spent massive money on individuals, have a big-name coach in Dimitris Itoudis, but the roster includes several difficult personalities, they lack a true home court, and considering the cost-to-quality ratio, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they completely flop this season.
Vuk: Dubai. Here I differ from my colleagues. Jurica Golemac is already dealing with unexpected injuries before the season even starts, but beyond that I still have plenty of doubts about this team. Dzanan Musa is projected as the leader, but we haven’t yet seen if he can carry a EuroLeague playoff-level squad. Mfiondu Kabengele is making his debut in elite European competition, yet he’s supposed to be one of the three key players alongside Musa and Dwayne Bacon. Bacon is extremely talented with great tools, but it’s obvious something has held him back from sustaining top-level performances. Combine that with the exhausting travel schedule between the ABA League and EuroLeague – this team will practically be living on planes – and I just don’t see a path for them to reach the postseason.
8) Rising Star?
For years, people have said the EuroLeague is an extremely “old” competition and that producing young talent is almost impossible. Next season, however, it seems things might be a little different, and Europe does have talent to showcase.
Miroslav: Jean Montero. It would take a miracle for Montero not to win this award. Averaging 15 points last season, he was Valencia’s absolute leader and the main reason for all the team’s successes. He may not be as dominant or influential on teammates as, for example, Shorts was in Paris, but I have no doubt Montero will average double-digit points again this season—closer to 15 than 10. Is there any other EuroLeague player who, as of July 1, was under 22 years old and capable of posting these numbers or having this kind of role? Only injuries could prevent Montero from taking this award.
Dejan: Up until Miikka Muurinen signed with Partizan, my absolute favorite has been Saliou Niang. His incredible physical tools and performance at EuroBasket in Italy’s jersey—where he was one of the few bright spots against far more experienced players—made me expect great things from him. He had a strong season in Trento, was selected in the NBA Draft over the summer, and now working with coach Duško Ivanović, I see him as a top candidate for this award. Muurinen made a risky move, moving from the USA before his final year of high school, clearly aiming to build his name before the NBA Draft, where he’s projected high. Athletically gifted, fearless in key moments, capable of blocking shots, and with a boldness bordering on cheekiness, he has all the tools. If he gets sufficient minutes to show them, he’ll contend for the Rising Star award; if not, it will go to Niang.
Vuk: Jean Montero. At 22, he’s the primary playmaker and best player on his EuroLeague team, which speaks volumes about his potential. We can compare him to what Nadir Hifi did last season, though Montero is more significant for Valencia, being their first option. Hifi was only behind T.J. Shorts, who handled everything, yet still won the Rising Star award. I also expect Valencia to be more competitive than many think, which will help Montero secure this recognition. As for Miikka Muurinen and Sergi de Larrea, there’s still time, and they will undoubtedly be contenders in the coming years if they stay in the EuroLeague.
9) What can the newcomers – Hapoel Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Valencia – achieve?
With the arrival of three new teams featuring ambitious projects and significant investments, the EuroLeague has gained a new dimension. From player quality to infrastructure, aside from the Israeli team’s challenges due to the war, these clubs have a lot to offer European basketball.
Miroslav: Someone is bound to stand out. It’s slowly becoming a tradition in the EuroLeague that first-season teams make a notable impact. If not every season, then at least every other one. Last year it was Paris, three seasons ago Partizan, four seasons ago Monaco, and Zenit reached the playoffs relatively quickly as well. All this suggests that one of this trio could pleasantly surprise again. My pick is Dubai to have the best season, and Valencia the weakest. The “Tarongers” are entering the season with key player injuries and may not capitalize on some of the easier games scheduled in the first two months. Everything about Hapoel has already been said.
Dejan: For Hapoel Tel Aviv, I’ve already stated that I expect them to be one of the negative surprises this season, while my instinct says Dubai could sneak into the playoff race and disrupt the plans of the other favorites. Valencia enters the season significantly weakened, and I’m unsure how much individual quality Cameron Taylor from Unicaja and Darius Thompson from Anadolu Efes can bring. There are gaps at power forward and center positions, so I’m not convinced they have enough quality to reach the top 10.
Vuk: Hapoel Tel Aviv has the highest potential. With Vasilije Micic, the Final Four is always the goal, but I see them potentially getting there via the playoffs from around eighth or ninth place. The mentioned issues with preparations, player form, and injuries will surely affect their standings. Dubai is slightly lower because they lack a player of Micic’s caliber, though they’ve signed names like Mfiondu Kabengele who could be real revelations. Valencia, I think, will be near 10th place, mainly due to strong fan support and the energy of a new arena, which will be an extra boost. They already surprised positively at the Spanish Supercup, where they won the trophy, so there’s a chance they could be a pleasant surprise here as well.
10) What can Partizan and Crvena Zvezda achieve?
For the past two to three seasons, both clubs have invested huge sums of money, yet the results have objectively been lacking. One Partizan playoff appearance and a play-in for Crvena zvezda last season aren’t enough to meet expectations. Currently, there’s more euphoria around Partizan than their rival, though that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
Miroslav: Everything or nothing. There are no excuses for Partizan this season. They retained four elite players (the two Joneses, Brown, and Bonga) who would be starters on over 80% of EuroLeague teams. Washington is still there, appearing mentally ready, as his quality was never in question. Add excellent new signings and Zeljko Obradovic on the bench… This roster isn’t weaker than the current Fenerbahce squad, the reigning EuroLeague champion. On paper, the playoffs are the minimum expectation (as even the club management set for the coaching staff), with the Final Four considered a success. Is that realistic? If injuries avoid them, it’s very possible. For Crvena Zvezda, the situation is far more complex and harder to predict. If Ioannis Sfairopoulos finds a way to mask defensive issues at center until Bolomboy returns and keeps the team in the top half defensively in the first 15 games, there’s no doubt that with his return they can again be an elite defense. Last season, they lacked someone to take over the ball and resolve critical situations—Codi Miller-McIntyre filled that role but couldn’t do so consistently. Now, with Devonte’ Graham and the right mix of offensive brilliance and solid defense, Zvezda can definitely reach the EuroLeague playoffs.
Dejan: If the pieces fall into place, they can achieve a lot. For Partizan, continuity, filling gaps at key positions, and adding another center (which is in progress) are crucial. If Jabari Parker lives up to his reputation as one of the biggest names in 21st-century Serbian basketball and the rest of the team clicks to form an offensive machine, nothing would surprise me. Regarding Crvena Zvezda, they’ve undergone significant changes, and the central question is whether the players can divide roles hierarchically to maximize their performance. If that happens, I expect Zvezda to make the breakthrough they’ve been aiming for over the past few seasons. In the negative scenario, which is possible, it would be considered a major failure for both Partizan and Zvezda if they don’t make the playoffs, both by fans and the public, given the massive financial investments in both clubs.
Vuk: Partizan has been on the defensive after two disappointing seasons, where they were both close and far from the play-in. With Zeljko Obradovic on the bench, anything less than a top-eight finish is a failure, and that should be acknowledged. The transfer window was executed excellently, especially with Jabari Parker, who adds extra quality and allows Partizan to compete at least for the postseason. Additions like Shake Milton and the highly basketball-savvy Dylan Osetkowski, plus the energy expected from Miikka Muurinen, are positives. For Partizan to be complete, they still need another big man; if they get one, this roster can fight for a top finish. Without a center, they face a tough battle for a playoff spot. For Crvena Zvezda, they lacked a marquee signing like Parker. While Chima Moneke is a notable addition, he isn’t at that caliber, though he can still be productive. Ioannis Sfairopoulos must address old Zvezda weaknesses in half-court offense, and due to Cody Miller-McIntyre’s attributes, a playmaker from frontcourt positions was also needed. Preseason games exposed some weaknesses, but defensively the team must function, especially since they’ll spend months without their top player, Joel Bolomboy. It’s on Zvezda to remain competitive until his return.
11) Who will be the Defensive Player of the Year?
Usually, steals and blocks are the main parameters considered for this award, as they are details that drastically impact the game. However, it’s not just that—reading the defense and the ability to cover multiple positions also matter. Could one of the “usual suspects” claim this award?
Miroslav: Alpha Diallo. Alpha Diallo might be the most underrated player in the EuroLeague right now. People mostly see him for his defense, even though over the past four years he’s repeatedly been the guy deciding games with phenomenal offensive performances. Few players from Monaco have received individual accolades in recent years. I personally expect them to be in the top 3 during the regular season, for Spanoulis to tighten the defense, and for awards to be spread out among deserving players. Since we’ve already sent MVP and best coach awards to Athens and Belgrade, it’s only right to send something to Monte Carlo as well.
Dejan: Walter Tavares – after a relatively subpar previous season for his standards, and considering Real Madrid underperformed significantly, I expect that in the 2025/2026 season, should they return to the Final Four, one of the X-factors will be this experienced center performing at his peak. His impact on the game goes beyond what statistics can measure, and when you add rim protection, blocks, and everything he’s capable of doing, I wouldn’t be surprised if he claimed this award for the fourth time in his career.
Vuk: Isaac Bonga. It’s not impossible for Partizan to make a major push and secure a direct playoff spot, but that can only happen if the team’s defensive capabilities are at a high level. Offensively, Partizan will surely be among the top teams, but the other side of the court cannot function flawlessly without Isaac Bonga, who again proved at EuroBasket how capable he is of covering multiple positions and providing excellent help-side defense. The EuroBasket Finals MVP enters this season with high confidence, and now it’s time for him to capitalize individually at the club level.
12) Who will make the biggest leap?
Adapting to the EuroLeague is particularly demanding for those encountering this level of basketball for the first time. Usually, these are former NBA players who need time to adjust to the new environment. Then there are young talents who mature year after year.
Miroslav: Duane Washington. Last year, Washington spent much of the season off the Partizan roster and protocols. However, by the end of the season, he shone so brightly that he was even named MVP of the Serbian Superliga. Earlier in the season, he scored almost 30 points against Fenerbahce, showing his quality. Now that he seems to have found his role, I expect him to be one of Partizan’s X-factors and grow into one of the team’s most important players. Maybe not to the same explosive level as Carsen Edwards in Bayern, because that space won’t exist, but by the end of next season, he will definitely be talked about as a player who could become a transfer-market star.
Dejan: Sergio de Larrea. It’s clear that he is currently the biggest project in Spanish basketball and expected to be a national team leader in the next decade or more. Valencia provides plenty of opportunity for him to demonstrate his abilities. Since I didn’t include him among candidates for the “Rising Star” award, this balances things out. He has every predisposition to progress significantly under Pedro Martinez, and for this award, the team’s position isn’t crucial, making him a prime choice. The EuroLeague is largely a league of experienced players, so it’s rare for someone already established to make such a leap. Sergio de Larrea has all the tools to do so.
Vuk: Duane Washington. Last season he averaged 7.6 points with a poor three-point percentage of just 24%, which would be a miracle if repeated. Even before the end of the Serbian Basketball League, when he exploded, the impression was that patience was needed because he has the talent to be Partizan’s Carsen Edwards. In some games, he wasn’t even on the bench, but by June he shined against Spartak and helped bring the trophy with his mastery. Since then, his confidence has grown, and during preseason he was probably the best individual performer. It’s clear he thrives on this second chance and is eager to hit the court in the first game. If his health holds, I believe this is his season.
13) Who will be the first coach to get fired?
In this EuroLeague rhythm with more double rounds than ever and less time for preparation, some coaches will inevitably struggle. Once things go downhill, momentum is difficult – sometimes impossible—to stop.
Miroslav: Georgios Bartzokas. Using an NFL term, this is a “Hail Mary” pick. After Olympiacos’ elimination by Monaco in the EuroLeague Final Four, Bartzokas was under heavy scrutiny from the Greek public, and many had already “packed his bags.” Winning the Greek title restored some confidence, but a weak start in the EuroLeague could end his second stint in Piraeus. The backcourt is plagued by injuries, adding Donte Hall to a team lacking pick-and-roll masters is odd, and Tyson Ward will face tougher shooting situations than in Paris. If Sasha Vezenkov or Evan Fournier also start slow, tensions could rise. Looking at Olympiacos’ schedule, a 2-4 or 4-6 start isn’t impossible, and at that point, the Angelopoulos brothers might make a change. With Xavi Pascual available, it wouldn’t take much pressure to pull the trigger. This Olympiacos squad might just need a new energy boost.
Dejan: Joan Penarroya. Barcelona was eliminated in the quarterfinals of all competitions last season – the Copa del Rey, Liga Endesa, and EuroLeague. For a club of this stature, that’s a major failure, even if they were one step away from the EuroLeague Final Four. Juan Carlos Navarro as GM has repeatedly praised Penarroya, but it wouldn’t be the first time a coach pays the price after a poor start. With so many quality coaches currently available, replacing him wouldn’t be difficult.
Vuk: Ioannis Sfairopoulos. Even though he had a very good previous season, a series of early EuroLeague mishaps could seriously shake his position. Crvena Zvezda has a relatively favorable schedule and cannot afford an early deficit. Additionally, the club has a culture of firing coaches by November – Dusko Ivanovic and his predecessor Vladimir Jovanovic experienced this. Two convincing losses in preseason against Paris and CSKA highlighted that roles are still not clearly defined in the team, which is a problem as the EuroLeague is roughly 20% stronger than last season with the exit of Alba Berlin and the entry of Dubai, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Valencia. In such a competitive landscape, there’s little room for a slow start.
EUROLEAGUE ROSTERS: The most prestigious European competition brings plenty of exciting transfers. Follow all the moves in one place.
There will be no club basketball played during July and August, but that doesn’t mean the clubs will be inactive. Basketball Sphere brings you all the updates from every EuroLeague team.
In addition to players currently under contract, you can check at any moment who has left the team, whose contract has expired, and who might be on the move.
The new EuroLeague season will begin on September 30, and until then, we’ll see what kind of rosters each team will enter the competition with.
