Transfer Report - Gameday 10 - Part 1
MIES (Switzerland) - Finding it hard to keep up with the ever-changing rosters of the Basketball Champions League? Well, worry you not, the Transfer Report is a one-stop-shop for all of the BCL's confirmed signings, and even the odd rumor or soon-to-be-announced arrival. To play on Gameday 10, players needed to be registered with the hard-working people in the FIBA House of Basketball by close of play on Monday (yesterday).
Confirmed
The following are registered and confirmed incomings and outgoings ahead of Gameday 10. The Christmas break is traditionally the busiest time for BCL clubs shuffling the deck. This year has been one of the busiest to date. This is part 1, there are another NINE confirmed incoming players in part 2.
IN
Jerai Grant, PF, 30 years, 6'8" (2.03m) 🛬 AEK Athens
📸 Φωτορεπορτάζ από την άφιξη του Τζεράι Γκραντ στην Αθήνα. #AEKBC #Welcome pic.twitter.com/SMxncCR8tS
— AEK B.C. (@aekbcgr) January 2, 2020
AEK have made a power move with this one. We aren't sure why Grant left SIG Strasbourg for Athens but he will no doubt leave a hole in their frontcourt. Jerai Grant has been one of the BCL's most productive big men over the last season and a half. With Slaughter already dominating on the defensive end, adding the offensive firepower of Grant is AEK's way of saying that they really mean it this year.
Darion Atkins, PF, 27 years, 6'8" (2.03m) 🛬 Brose Bamberg
Brose Bamberg verpflichtet Darion Atkins
— Brose Bamberg (@BroseBamberg) December 18, 2019
Wir haben den gesuchten Big Man gefunden und nehmen den 27-jährigen Darion Atkins unter Vertrag.
Hier geht's zur Meldung: https://t.co/NaanDjQNOp #Basketballherz pic.twitter.com/VoRuYypnUp
Another player trading places among the BCL's biggest clubs, as Darion Atkins swaps Iberostar Tenerife for Brose Bamberg. We could tell you why Atkins will be such a good addition for Freak City and what makes him so excited to be there, but you'd probably prefer to hear it from Darion himself 👇.
Michael Dixon, PG, 29 years, 6'1" (1.86m) 🛬 ERA Nymburk
Rudolf Šimeček (General Manager) said: “Before Ivan Almeida's arrival, we were looking for a type of player like Michael Dixon, who goes uncompromisingly into the defender, has a shot and drive to the basket and is able to take responsibility at critical moments. We know that Mike is capable of this from his previous experience with us. Now he is older and more experienced. He also worked a lot on the skills of the Point Guard. Expectations are quite high.”
Michael Dixon said: “I'm really excited. When I was here for the first time, we had a great season. We won the 13th Czech title, got into the Play-Offs of the VTB league and played with CSKA Moscow. I really enjoyed it and most Czech boys from that time are still here. So I look forward to playing with them again and playing together for the title again and trying to succeed in the Champions League."
ERA Nymburk are having a great season in the BCL and with a crew of Czech stars fresh from overperforming in the World Cup, it made perfect sense for them to pull off a transfer move during the break to strengthen and make the collective fist carry even more punch. Dixon knows the BCL and also knows about playing for Nymburk. He has done both very successfully before. Vintage Mike Dixon on this Nymburk team should give Coach Amiel the firepower to make a deep run into the Play-Offs.
Olivier Troisfontaines, SF, 30 years, 6'5" (1.95m) 🛬 Filou Oostende
Oostende have a very young team this year. They have been very impressive at times but, as with most young teams, when it comes to closing out games and general know-how, they have struggled at times. Coach Gjergja has opted to bring in some experience on the wing with Olivier Troisfontaines.
John Holland, SF, 31 years, 6'6" (1.98m) 🛬 Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem
ג'ון הולנד מצטרף! שמחים להודיע על החתמתו של ג'ון הולנד בהפועל "בנק יהב" ירושלים עד לסיום העונה. הולנד (31, 1.96 ס"מ) הוא פורוורד אמריקני שאף שיחק בקליבלנד והגיע איתה לפני שנתיים עד לגמר ה-NBA. השחקן יצטרף לקבוצה בימים הקרובים.
— Hapoel Jerusalem B.C (@JerusalemBasket) December 26, 2019
יאללה הפועל! pic.twitter.com/4Nw6x3Ag5n
With Isaiah Cousins departing Coach Kattash needed to bring something different to his wing rotation. We already know that this Jerusalem team can create from their backcourt, adding an NBA athlete as a slasher and finisher seems a pretty good idea. When you add in the scrappy defense that Holland will bring as well, it starts to look like a very good idea. Check the video below and you will see that Holland has already got straight to work. Jerusalem will be hoping that this is the kind of work that can help them better their Play-Off run last year and propel them into the Final Four.
2 three's, 4 steals and one big dunk for @Jholland_23 in his debut for @JerusalemBasket pic.twitter.com/pDaH5nl2Qt
— Winner League (@WinnerLeague) January 5, 2020
Dominique Sutton, SF, 33 years, 6'5" (1.96m) 🛬 Happy Casa Brindisi
Le prime parole di Dominique Sutton da neo giocatore biancoazzzurro ⤵📋https://t.co/5qGRyY0Puf pic.twitter.com/JkazUSUiqv
— Happy Casa Brindisi (@HappycasaNBB) December 20, 2019
With Kelvin Martin injured Brindisi needed a replacement at the Small Forward. "Dominator" Domonique Sutton is the man for the job. Sutton has a combination of talent and experience that could be a perfect fit to hit the ground running. A quick look at the table in Group D shows that the standings are complete carnage. All 8 teams are still in with a chance and with Happy Casa Brindisi only a game back from 4th place, they will be hoping a signing like Sutton will make all the difference.
OUT
Jordan Theodore 🛫 Besiktas Sompo Sigorta
JeQuan Lewis 🛫 PAOK
Amanze Egekeze 🛫 PAOK
Jerai Grant 🛫 SIG Strasbourg
Darion Atkins 🛫 Iberostar Tenerife
Isaiah Cousins 🛫 Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem
Alec Brown 🛫 Nizhny Novgorod
Stefan Sinovec 🛫 BC Lietkabelis
Ken Brown 🛫 BC Lietkabelis
Rumors
We take no responsibility for these rumors. We are not guaranteeing they will happen. Please don't get upset if they do happen, please don't get upset if they don't.
OUT
Kendrick Ray 🛫 AEK Athens
Kendrick Ray has requested to leave AEK Athens (via @Carchia)https://t.co/AczaHkgyDG
— Sportando (@Sportando) January 1, 2020
James McAdoo 🛫 Besiktas Sompo Sigorta
Two-time NBA Champion James McAdoo is Partizan Belgrade top target at PF/C position, a source told me and @NeoRock06
— Emiliano Carchia (@Carchia) January 7, 2020
The two sides are in talks.
McAdoo has played overseas with Torino and Besiktas