Here is your EuroLeague Daily Brief covering the latest EuroLeague news, transfers, rumors, contracts, and off-court stories across Europe.
All confirmed EuroLeague transfers are continuously updated on our dedicated EUROLEAGUE TRANSACTIONS page, where every move across the league is tracked in real time with all the information in one place. Instead of searching through scattered reports, the tracker provides a centralized and constantly updated database of all roster changes throughout the offseason, making it the fastest and most efficient way to follow every confirmed signing and departure across Europe.
TOP STORY: Mike James signs with Anadolu Efes
One of the biggest EuroLeague transactions of the summer became official on Saturday, as Mike James signed a 1+1 contract with Anadolu Efes following his departure from Monaco.
After playing for several top European clubs throughout his career, James will compete in Turkey for the first time, despite earlier speculation linking him with Barcelona and Dubai.
Interestingly, James’ future had already become a topic of discussion during the season among his former Monaco teammates, Jaron Blossomgame and Chima Moneke. However, neither expected Anadolu Efes to be his next destination.
“I like Spain for Mike James,” Moneke said.
“He hates Istanbul. I’m not saying he won’t go there, but he hates Istanbul,” Blossomgame said. “I think he’ll end up in Barcelona or Milano. He’ll listen to offers from the Greek teams, but he doesn’t want to go back to Greece.”
Instead, Anadolu Efes secured the signing of the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer, who averaged 16.5 points and 6.4 assists per game with Monaco last season.
TRANSFERS & MOVES: Elijah Bryant extends contract, Fenerbahce and Besiktas strengthen roster
Alongside Mike James’ move to Anadolu Efes, several other clubs completed notable EuroLeague transactions. Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Valencia all added new signings, while several teams also finalized important contract extensions and departures.
Fenerbahce signed Braxton Key from Valencia on a two-year contract. After making his European debut last season, the American forward averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague.
Besiktas strengthened its roster by signing DaQuan Jeffries, who arrives directly from the NBA. Since beginning his professional career in 2019, Jeffries has played for the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets, along with several NBA G League teams.
Valencia also completed a notable addition, signing highly regarded Spanish point guard Mario Saint-Supery to a four-year contract. The 2006-born prospect spent last season at Gonzaga.
Among the latest contract extensions, Elijah Bryant committed his future to Hapoel Tel Aviv through the 2028/29 season. Stefano Tonut also extended his stay with Milano for two more years, while Mikael Jantunen officially parted ways with Fenerbahce and Uros Plavsic left Crvena Zvezda.
INSIDER DESK: Partizan makes moves – Alessandro Pajola and Alen Smailagic close to joining
As Basketball Sphere first reported, Partizan showed strong interest in Alessandro Pajola, and the deal now appears to be completed. Following our exclusive report, Mozzart Sport also confirmed that all details between the two sides have been agreed.
After a decade in Bologna, the Italian point guard is reportedly set to move to Belgrade and wear the black-and-white jersey of Partizan.
Basketball Sphere also exclusively reported that Partizan turned its attention toward Alen Smailagic once it became clear that signing Zach LeDay would be a difficult task. That possibility has gained momentum as well, with Smailagic now expected to join Pajola as part of a potential Virtus-to-Partizan package.
The Serbian forward previously played for Partizan from 2021 to 2024, before leaving the club last summer.
As Basketball Sphere has learned, Partizan has entered the race to sign Alessandro Pajola, who has also been on Crvena Zvezda's radar this summer. 👀https://t.co/QEXbswVjk7
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) July 5, 2026
Pajola has set clear financial terms for Partizan. 💰
Read more at the link ☝️☝️#kkp #kkcz pic.twitter.com/gZpZ86DyQi
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Vassilis Spanoulis opens up about Monaco departure
Vassilis Spanoulis made a surprising decision to step down as Monaco head coach late last season, with the Greek coach revealing that his departure was influenced by issues beyond basketball, including the club’s financial problems.
“In the first year, we had an incredible EuroLeague season (reaching the Final Four). In the second year, until January, we were playing excellent basketball and were second in the standings. We were considered one of the favorites. External factors, and not basketball-related ones, made me make that decision.”
Spanoulis also revealed a shocking situation involving Corey Joseph’s arrival at the club, explaining why he could not ignore problems outside his coaching responsibilities.
“I couldn’t look the players in the eyes and lie about things that had nothing to do with basketball, in order to cover things that were not my responsibility. It exhausted me incredibly. We reached the point where we signed a player and he had to leave because of the ban (Corey Joseph). He was paying for his own hotel! These things do not represent me as a person. They were things beyond basketball. I don’t give up, I am a winner and I have proven that.”
