May 2020 International Wiretap

Nikola Mirotic Named MVP Of Spanish League

Jun 27, 2020 9:34 PM

Nikola Mirotic was awarded the MVP of Spain's ACB league for the second time in his career.

The 29-year-old Mirotic, who signed with FC Barcelona last offseason, averaged 20 points and 5.8 rebound in Spain.

“You can see it in my face, in my smile. It was a good surprise, it brightened my day. The MVP award for me means a collective work of the team. This award goes to all my teammates who have helped me to be better every day," said Mirotic after winning the award.

Mirotic also won an MVP in 2013 with Real Madrid. 

Eurohoops

Tags: Nikola Mirotic, Spanish ACB, International, International League

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EuroLeague Releases 20-21 Regular Season Schedule With Oct. 1 Start Date

Jun 24, 2020 3:00 PM

The EuroLeague has released their full 20-21 regular season schedule of 34 rounds with the openers set for October 1, 2020.

The first two-round week of the season will be Rounds 3 and 4 in mid-October.

EuroLeague canceled its 19-20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The regular season is due to finish on April 9, 2021.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Euroleague, International, International League

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Alex Antetokounmpo Signs With UCAM Murcia In Liga ACB

Jun 23, 2020 1:09 AM

Alex Antetokounmpo signed a three-year contract with UCAM Murcia in Spain's Liga ACB.

The 18-year-old was unranked in ESPN's top 100, but had college offers from DePaul, Ohio and Green Bay.

"I don't really believe in pressure like that, but it's definitely a lot of expectations on you. And being the baby brother, it's a lot of being told what to do a lot of the times, but you've just got to take the criticism and move on," he said of being the younger brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo will be eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft. 

Eric Woodyard/ESPN

Tags: Alex Antetokounmpo, Spanish ACB, International, International League

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Chinese Basketball Association Restarts Season Behind Closed Doors

Jun 20, 2020 1:45 PM

The Chinese Basketball Association restarted its season behind closed doors after being suspended for five months.

The CBA was originally suspended on January 24th.

The league's resumption featured 20 teams divided into two divisions, with limited venues, and no fans inside the stadium.

"As the first national large-scale sports event to be restarted in China, the CBA rematch has a strategic significance for comprehensively promoting the resumption of production and restoring life, and its social impact has exceeded the basketball itself," wrote Yao Ming in an open letter discussing the league's return.

ESPN

Tags: Chinese CBA, International, International League

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Deni Avdija Will Finish Season With Maccabi Before Preparing For 2020 NBA Draft

Jun 19, 2020 3:09 PM

Deni Avdija will resume his season with Maccabi Tel Aviv when the Israeli basketball league returns Sunday.

Avdija is projected high lottery pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

"Before I go to the U.S., I have a job to finish here in Israel," Avdija wrote in an email to ESPN. "As a competitor I am committed to my organization and teammates to help bring a championship to Tel Aviv. We were having such a great season, so winning the title, even with the delay and without live fans, will give me a sense that the hard work paid off."

Avdija is averaging 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 27 minutes per game.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Deni Avdija, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, International Teams

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Bryan Colangelo Purchases Ownership Stake In Illawarra Hawks

Jun 16, 2020 6:05 PM

Bryan Colangelo has purchased an ownership stake and will assume an advisory role with the Illawarra Hawks of Australia's National Basketball League.

Colangelo is partnering with Australian (Dorry Kordahi) and American (Michael Proctor) businessmen to purchase a stake in the team.

Colangelo, however, won't have a role running the franchise as a president or general manager.

Colangelo recently interviewed for the VP of Basketball Operations position with the Chicago Bulls, which ultimately went to Arturas Karnisovas.

LaMelo Ball also pursued a purchase of Illawarra.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Illawarra, NBA, International, International Teams

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Shane Larkin Looking For 18-25 Minutes With NBA Team, Wants 'True Responsibility'

Jun 18, 2020 9:25 PM

Shane Larkin said he would only return to the NBA if he were guaranteed 18-25 minutes per game, and be tasked with "true responsibility."

“I will not go back to the NBA as a third point guard. So, if any team asks about that, we’re not even gonna answer the phone," said Larkin in an interview with Andrew Favakeh of Fansided.

Larkin, who currently plays for Anadolu Efes in Turkey, is averaging 22.2 points on 53% shooting, while shooting 53% on 6.9 3s per game.

Larkin signed a two-year deal in April, though is currently trying to restructure his contract.

Larkin did admit that “most players don’t make that jump from EuroLeague to being a starting point guard in the NBA.”

Andrew Favakeh/Fansided

Tags: Shane Larkin, Turkish BSL, International, International League

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German Basketball Players Asked To Wear Chips To Monitor Their Movement

Jun 6, 2020 1:28 PM

Players in the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) have been asked to wear a chip monitoring their movements as part of a safety protocol to restart their season.

The league is isolating its players, coaches, and referees as they begin a three-week tournament featuring 10 teams and 36 games.

NBA teams and officials are reportedly monitoring the tournament as it could inform how they resume their season on July 31st.

BBL Commissioner Stefan Holz said that the movement chips are not required by the league.

"It is voluntary. It is optional. It is to trace contacts. If there is one positive test within the group, the whole group could be in danger. It could be the end of the tournament," said Holz.

Doctors will have access to the tracking data only if there is a positive case of COVID-19, according to a memo. 

Player movements will only be tracked in the hotel, and not during games or trips outside the hotel. 

Zach Lowe & Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: German BBL, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, International, International League

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Nikola Milutinov Signs Three-Year Deal With CSKA

Jun 2, 2020 4:17 PM

Nikola Milutinov has signed a three-year contract with CSKA Moscow.

Milutinov was a first round pick by the San Antonio Spurs in 2015.

Milutinov had spent the previous five seasons with Olympiacos. 

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: San Antonio Spurs, CSKA Moscow, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, International, International Teams

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