Maccabi signs Macvan through 2015

Euroleague group A leader Maccabi Tel Aviv has finally reached an agreement with Hemofarm Vrsac for Milan Macvan’s contract and pay $650,000 of his buyout.

The 21-year-old center, who averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds in the Eurocup this season, will play in Israel until 2015 and will earn $3.5 million over five years.

Khimki agreed in terms to Hansen

Khimki Moscow Region, which has lost all chances to make it to the Top 16, has signed 32-year-old guard Travis Hansen. The former Real Madrid playmaker, who also has a Russian passport, averaged 4.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in the last Euroleague season.

Grigas replace Petrovic in Zalgiris

Despite a great Euroleague start, Zalgiris Kaunas decided to make important changes to their coaching staff as Rimantas Grigas, a former head coach of Zalgiris, has replaced Aco Petrovic. Grigas has served as Zalgiris head coach from 2006 until 2008.

Panathinaikos can’t avoid injury bug

After losing big man Mike Batiste for two weeks, Panathinaikos Athens will have to manage without other big man, Aleks Maric, who will be sidelined for two more months. Maric was diagnosed with a tear in his triceps muscle. Despite these injuries, the Greens lead the Euroleague group D with six wins and three losses.

Euroleague champions lost thriller in Vilnius

Fran Vazquez scored 27 points for Regal Barcelona but Lietuvos Rytas earned important last-minute win 88-87, which keeps Lithuanians’ Top 16 dream alive.

Regal Barcelona’s young talent Ricky Rubio had a chance to take the game to overtime as he stepped to the free-throw line for three shots. However, Rubio made the first two shots and missed the last one, while Lietuvos Rytas escaped with a difficult victory.

Vazquez also had 9 rebounds and finished the game with 31 index ranking point. Rubio scored 8 points (2-for-4 from the floor) and dished out 4 assists, while Milko Bjelica led the winners with 19 points.

No Ukic – no victories

The fight between two Euroleague group C leaders ended up with a humiliation of Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul. Bo McCalebb scored season-high 22 points and Montepaschi Siena won heir fifth straight game, beating Fenerbahce Ulker 94-65.

Fenerbahce Ulker played without their leader Roko Ukic, as Montepaschi secured first place in group C.

It was also the second Euroleague game for Fenerbahce Ulker newcomer Sean May, who scored 5 points (1-for-3 from the field) and grabbed 2 boards in 9 minutes.

Teletovic tied three-pointers record

Mirza Teletovic hit 9 threes and tied single-game three-point shooting record, while Caja Laboral got back on track with a 95-89 overtime victory over Zalgiris Kaunas and secured a place in the Top 16.

Teletovic led the winners with 32 points (9-for-13 from long distance) while Stanko Barac and Fernando San Emeterio, both added 21 points. Zalgiris’ Paulius Jankunas had 17 points and 4 rebounds.

McCalebb named Euroleague Weekly MVP

Montepaschi Siena’s star Bo McCalebb has earned Euroleague weekly MVP honors. The 25-year-old guard posted 22 points against Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul and also dished out 7 assists and had 4 steals. McCalebb finished the game with 34 index ranking points as Montepaschi won the game by 94-65.

No love for Partizan

Partizan Belgrade team players were attacked in Croatia after losing a game against Zadar club. The attack was initiated by Croatian extremists, who threw rocks to Partizan team delegation. One of the rocks hit head coach Vladimir Jonavic’s ear. Later the police helped Partizan to reach the airport.

EuroBasket 2015 could be held in Ukraine

President of the Ukrainian Basketball Federation Oleksandr Volkov announced to Ukrainian News that his country considers an idea to submit an application to host the EuroBasket 2015. Ukraine and Great Britain are the only candidates to host European basketball championship in 2015 so far.