May 2024 Basketball Wiretap

Kasparas Jakucionis Commits To Illinois

May 28, 2024 9:11 AM

Lithuania guard Kasparas Jakucionis has committed to the University of Illinois. Jakucionis is considered one of the top international guards heading to a United States college, and he's a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-6 guard has appeared in five games for Barcelona across various competitions over the last two seasons. Across multiple different competition, with Barcelona and their youth team, Jakucionis averaged 17.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists.

Jakucionis is just one of what is expected to be several international players to commit to playing college basketball in the United States. The advent of NIL deals has made collegiate basketball a more attractive path for foreign-born players than it used to be.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois Fighting Illini, Barca, NCAA, NCAA Recruiting, International, International Teams, NCAA Commitment, International Misc Rumor

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Evan Fournier Prioritizing NBA Contract Over Return To Europe

May 28, 2024 8:46 AM

Veteran wing Evan Fournier is prioritizing staying the NBA for his next contract, as opposed to returning to play in Europe. A rumor came up at the EuroLeague Final Four that Fournier could play for Olympiacos in Greece or ASVEL in his native France next season.

The Detroit Pistons hold a $19 million team option for Fournier for next season. The Pistons are expected to decline that option to create cap space. That will make Fournier an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Fournier is expected to play for France at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He's likely to know his NBA future ahead of the Olympics, which will begin in Paris and the surrounding area in late July.

Fournier has played for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, in addition to the Pistons, in his 12-year NBA career. New York traded Fournier to the Detroit at this season's trade deadline.

Basket USA

Tags: Evan Fournier, Detroit Pistons, ASVEL Basket, Olympiacos, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, International, International Teams, International Misc Rumor

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Panathinaikos Wins EuroLeague Championship

May 26, 2024 5:37 PM

Panathinaikos won the 2024 EuroLeague Championship with a 95-80 victory over Real Madrid on Sunday. This is the seventh EuroLeague title for Panathinaikos 

Guard Kostas Sloukas was named the EuroLeague Final Four MVP. He finished with 24 points in the title game. Kendrick Nunn scored 21 points, Mathias Lessort scored 17 points, while Jerian Grant added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Dzanan Musa led Real Madrid with 15 points.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Kostas Sloukas, Kendrick Nunn, Mathias Lessort, Jerian Grant, Dzanan Musa, Panathinaikos, Real Madrid, International, International Teams, International Misc Rumor

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Mike James Named EuroLeague MVP

May 15, 2024 8:50 AM

Veteran guard Mike James was named EuroLeague MVP for the first time in his 10-year EuroLeague career. James averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 39 EuroLeague games.

The AS Monaco star led his team to a third-place finish in the EuroLeague season. AS Monaco bowed out in the playoffs in five games against Fenerbahce.

James is the second American-born player to win the award. Anthony Parker was named EuroLeague MVP in both 2005 and 2006. James spent two seasons in the NBA, playing for the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets.

BasketNews

Tags: Mike James, AS Monaco Basket, International, International Award, International Teams

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Lottery Prospect Nikola Topic Suffers Sprained Knee

May 14, 2024 8:48 AM

Nikola Topic, a potential top-five pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, suffered a left knee injury on Monday. Topic was injured on a non-contact play after an awkward landing following making a pass. An MRI showed Topic suffered a sprained knee.

Topic is expected to miss the remainder of the ABA Finals due to the injury. Topic is expected to be a full participant in workouts in June, ahead of the draft.

The 6-foot-6 point guard was injured in Game 1 of the Adriatic League finals. Topic had returned to Crvena Zvezda after spending the early part of the season playing for Mega Bemax.

Topic is considered a top-five pick by most draft experts. Some even have him in consideration to go as high as the second pick. The 18-year-old missed four-and-a-half months earlier this season with an injury to same knee he injured on Monday.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Nikola Topic, KK Crvena Zvezda, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, International Teams, International Injury

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Shane Larkin Signs New Deal With Anadolu Efes

May 4, 2024 9:26 AM

Veteran point guard Shane Larkin has signed a new four-year contract with Anadolu Efes in Turkey. Larkin joined Efes for the 2018-19 season. His new contract will carry through the 2027-28 season. That will give Larkin 10 years with Efes, which is a club record for a foreign-born player.

This season, Larkin has averaged 11.5 points, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals across 44 games. Larkin shot 46.7% from the field, 40.5% on three-pointers and 89.9% on free throws this season.

Larkin was the 18th overall pick in 2013 draft out of Miami. In four NBA seasons, the 5-foot 11 point guard played for the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics.

BasketNews

Tags: Shane Larkin, Anadolu Efes, International, International Teams, International Official Signing

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