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Group A8 clubs · 4 qualification places
Group A · JLM
Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem
Title ambitionRound 1 · vs Rostock Seawolves · 29 Sep · 19:00 CEST · Belgrade · Hala Sportova Ranko Zeravica
Key In
- Lorenzo Brown - loan from Milan; 25 Sep
- Shake Milton - from Partizan; 30 Jul
- Kenneth Lofton Jr. - announced 26 Jul
- David Roddy - in the 8 Sep club box score
Key Out
- Justin Smith - to Budućnost; ABA 15 Sep
- Anthony Lamb - to Türk Telekom; summer transfer register
Core retained · Jared Harper · Yovel Zoosman · Gaby Chachashvili
Basketball identity
Jerusalem can distribute creation across Brown, Milton and Jaleen Smith while Lofton offers a different passing and interior-scoring route. That variety matters with Harper’s availability unresolved. Obradović must decide which combinations preserve spacing around Lofton and Miletic, and which can contain the ball defensively. Zoosman and Chachashvili provide familiar connections, but this is a new hierarchy rather than a continuation of last season’s guard-led attack.
Season outlook
The roster supports title ambition, with unusually wide early uncertainty around health, integration and venue. Group A should test whether the depth produces coherent closing lineups.
The preseason question
Who becomes the first option in close games while Harper is unavailable?
Availability checkpoint · Harper: thumb surgery reported 29 Aug; a 3-5 month absence was an estimate. No later clearance verified.
Capper Watch
- Round 1 is a nominal home game in Belgrade; reassess venue advantages game by game.
- Track Brown’s integration and whether Milton and Lofton share the floor in closing stretches.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record the primary initiator and final five in each competitive fourth quarter.
- Compare turnovers and paint protection in Lofton-led units with the alternative centre combinations.
Roster note. Club roster pages can lag Brown. Opening home game is in Belgrade, not Jerusalem.
Group A · ROS
Rostock Seawolves
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · at Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem · 29 Sep · 19:00 CEST · Belgrade · Hala Sportova Ranko Zeravica
Key In
- Zach Copeland - announced 25 Jun
- Johnathan Stove - announced 4 Jul
- Todd Withers - announced 24 Jul
- Artur Konontsuk - announced 18 Jun
Key Out
- Kassim Nicholson - to Šiauliai; 27 Sep
- Łukasz Kolenda - to Manresa; current destination roster
Core retained · DeAndre Lansdowne · T.J. Crockett · Owen Klassen
Basketball identity
Rostock can build around Lansdowne’s organisation and Crockett’s scoring while Copeland and Stove add perimeter options. Klassen and Leuchten offer centre size, with Konontsuk and Withers changing the wing combinations. The useful question is whether the intended pressure creates transition chances without opening the defensive glass. Established domestic relationships should help, but European travel and unfamiliar opponent size will ask more of the second unit.
Season outlook
A qualification fight is the appropriate starting frame in a crowded Group A. The experienced spine creates a route to competitiveness, but the new wings must become dependable away from home.
The preseason question
Can Rostock sustain its guard pressure without conceding repeated second chances?
Availability checkpoint · Copeland did not play in the 11 Sep cup report. No diagnosis or current restriction inferred.
Capper Watch
- Separate Copeland’s actual availability from the old cup DNP.
- Monitor which of Klassen, Leuchten and Hartwich closes against mobile frontcourts.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Log opponent offensive rebounds after possessions with perimeter traps or aggressive help.
- Compare bench turnovers and shot creation at home and away across the first ten games.
Group A · MSB
Le Mans Sarthe Basket
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · vs Aris Thessaloniki · 29 Sep · 20:00 CEST · Le Mans · Antares
Key In
- Jordan King - from Maroussi; 29 Jun
- Moses Wood - from ALBA; 20 Jul
Key Out
- Trevor Hudgins - to PAOK; current destination roster
- David DiLeo - to Bahçeşehir; current destination roster
Core retained · TaShawn Thomas · Will Yeguete · Leopold Delaunay
Basketball identity
Le Mans has a recognisable interior foundation in Thomas and Yeguete, with Delaunay and the domestic rotation supporting Vizade’s structure. King must replace a substantial part of the lead-guard responsibility, while Wood adds another spacing option. The prospective identity is balanced half-court basketball with several contributors rather than reliance on a single scorer. Its credibility depends on producing useful advantages before the final seconds of possessions.
Season outlook
The retained foundation should keep qualification in view. Against Group A’s larger recruitment projects, guard execution and the ability to protect the ball are more persuasive tests than preseason scoring totals.
The preseason question
Can King organise efficient late-clock possessions against aggressive ball pressure?
Availability checkpoint · No dated current injury bulletin verified; roster membership is not clearance.
Capper Watch
- Track King’s ball-handling share and who initiates when he rests.
- Check whether Thomas and Yeguete together leave enough perimeter spacing.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Count possessions reaching the last five seconds without a paint touch.
- Record the turnover pattern of the backup-guard units against each opponent.
Roster note. MSB article indexed in search but direct access restricted. Kit corroborates the final names. Coach is Guillaume Vizade, not Elric Delord.
Group A · ARI
Aris Thessaloniki
Title ambitionRound 1 · at Le Mans Sarthe Basket · 29 Sep · 20:00 CEST · Le Mans · Antares
Key In
- Neno Dimitrijević - listed at the 19 Aug camp
- Jeremiah Robinson-Earl - listed at the 19 Aug camp
- E.J. Liddell - confirmed in 13 Sep club interview
- Adam Mokoka - from Bourg; debut reported 20 Sep
Key Out
- Bryce Jones - to Tofaş; 12 Jun
Core retained · Lefteris Bochoridis · Stelios Poulianitis
Basketball identity
Aris can put several creators around a substantial frontcourt, with Dimitrijević supplying organisation and Liddell and Robinson-Earl offering different screening and finishing combinations. Spanoulis must turn the large collection of names into complementary roles. The appeal is lineup flexibility; the risk is stalled possessions when multiple handlers wait for their turn. Bochoridis provides continuity, but defensive communication and the choice of closing centre require fresh evidence.
Season outlook
The roster justifies title ambition, with a low-continuity adjustment discount. Group A gives Aris little room to treat the opening month as an extended training camp.
The preseason question
Does a stable closing five emerge by the second half of the opening ten games?
Availability checkpoint · Mokoka appeared on 20 Sep, superseding earlier absence reports. Older Jović, Poulianitis and Tanoulis updates require a matchday recheck.
Capper Watch
- Use Mokoka’s 20 Sep appearance to update older absence reports.
- Track how Spanoulis balances Dimitrijević, Toliopoulos and the other ball-handlers.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Compare the number of different closing lineups in games 1-5 and 6-10.
- Log defensive breakdowns when changing between larger and smaller frontcourts.
Roster note. Kostas and Thanasis Antetokounmpo both appear in the kit. Toliopoulos is not classified as a new signing here without a clean prior-season reconciliation.
Group A · RIG
Riga Zelli
Development / outsiderRound 1 · vs Baglietto Derthona Tortona · 30 Sep · 18:00 CEST · Riga · Xiaomi Arena
Key In
- Ben Shungu - one-year signing reported in August
- Ivan Tkachenko - signed before 12 Sep appearance
Key Out
Dated exit evidence incomplete; no names asserted. This does not mean no departures.
Core retained · Jānis Bērziņš · Rolands Šulcs
Basketball identity
Riga’s new guard mix gives Kondratavičius several ways to begin possessions, with Shungu complementing Perkins and the larger wings. Wahl and Johnson offer interior targets, while Tkachenko adds another connector. The projected route is active ball movement and attacking before the defence is settled. The challenge is retaining that initiative when stronger opponents force longer possessions and repeatedly test the young supporting rotation at the defensive end.
Season outlook
Treat Riga as a development/outsider case in Group A, with room to exceed that label through coherent guard play. Early competitiveness should be judged through possession quality, not a single upset.
The preseason question
Can Riga create a second advantage after opponents stop the first guard action?
Availability checkpoint · Skuja absence has been reported; no definitive current return date verified.
Capper Watch
- Recheck Skuja’s status and the actual distribution of guard minutes.
- The Tortona opener is 30 Sep in the latest kit, not the older 29 Sep listing.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Track whether half-court possessions generate a second paint touch after the initial action is stopped.
- Record the turnover and foul burden of the young bench against the group’s deeper teams.
Roster note. No departure is featured: dated exit confirmation and a complete prior-season comparison remain incomplete. RealGM coach entry was stale; current coach corroborated by agency and opponent club.
Group A · DER
Baglietto Derthona Tortona
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · at Riga Zelli · 30 Sep · 18:00 CEST · Riga · Xiaomi Arena
Key In
- Amar Alibegović - announced 24 Sep
- Giordano Bortolani - named in club summer rebuild
- Karim Jallow - named in club summer rebuild
Key Out
- Tommaso Baldasso - to Virtus Bologna; 8 Sep presentation
- Artūrs Strautiņš - to Roma Basketball; current kit
Core retained · Prentiss Hubb · Justin Gorham · Andrea Pecchia
Basketball identity
Tortona can retain the Hubb-led ball-screen framework while Gorham, Pecchia and Olejniczak preserve familiar connections. The additions offer Fioretti more perimeter size and different scoring routes, with late-arriving Alibegović widening the frontcourt choices. The important relationship is between those established actions and the new finishers. More options become useful only if the team maintains spacing and a clear defensive assignment structure when the bench enters.
Season outlook
Deep-run ambition is plausible, with Group A qualification the immediate test. Alibegović’s arrival increases options but may delay a settled frontcourt hierarchy.
The preseason question
Can the new scorers contribute without disrupting Hubb’s established creation role?
Availability checkpoint · No current comprehensive injury bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Track Alibegović’s minutes and role as he integrates after 24 Sep.
- Watch how Fioretti replaces the previous Vital/Baldasso shot creation.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Compare assisted baskets and live-ball turnovers in the starting and reserve guard units.
- Record whether the same frontcourt pairing closes games by rounds 6-10.
Roster note. Alibegović is Amar; Mirza Alibegović belongs to Maxima Roma. Christian Vital is absent from the final kit; destination and dated exit announcement not established, so no definitive destination is printed.
Group A · BUR
San Pablo Burgos
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · vs Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana · 30 Sep · 20:30 CEST · Burgos · Coliseum
Key In
- Retin Obasohan - from Manresa; 16 Jul
- Sekou Doumbouya - from Koshigaya; 3 Sep
- Balsa Koprivica - from Bahçeşehir; current kit
- DJ Steward - from Trento; current kit
Key Out
- Ethan Happ - to Tenerife; 11 Jul
- Gonzalo Corbalán - club departure 3 Jul
Core retained · Dani Díez · Pablo Almazán
Basketball identity
Burgos has rebuilt its primary actions around Obasohan, Steward and Samar, with Koprivica providing a large interior target. Doumbouya adds a different forward option, while Díez and Almazán retain some club familiarity. Fisac’s task is to connect the new guards with the centres without making the floor too narrow. Defensive rebounding and the quality of the first pass after a stop should determine whether this group can run selectively.
Season outlook
The roster offers a credible top-four fight, with upside if roles settle quickly. Group A’s depth makes the low continuity and uncertain availability particularly relevant in the opening stretch.
The preseason question
Can the guard-centre combinations generate clean finishes without excessive congestion?
Availability checkpoint · Obasohan was absent from the 27 Sep report; the cause and Round 1 status are not established.
Capper Watch
- Recheck Obasohan after the 27 Sep absence; no injury cause is assumed.
- Confirm Čančar’s competition status before including him in any rotation projection.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Log turnovers on entry passes and rolls, separated by the initiating guard.
- Track defensive-rebound control when Koprivica rests or shares the floor with another big.
Roster note. Vlatko Čančar appears on a club listing but not in the competition kit; do not project his EuroCup minutes.
Group A · COL
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · at San Pablo Burgos · 30 Sep · 20:30 CEST · Burgos · Coliseum
Key In
- Anthony Cowan - from Mersin; 7 Jul
- Noah Kirkwood - from Śląsk; ABA 16 Sep
- Jayce Johnson - ABA 16 Sep
- Rihards Lomažs - from Neptūnas; 23 Sep
Key Out
- Ognjen Jaramaz - to Lietkabelis; 29 Jul
- Thomas Kennedy - to London; 16 Jun
Core retained · Jaka Blažič · Matthew Hurt · David Škara
Basketball identity
Cedevita can combine Cowan’s initiation with the retained Blažič, Hurt and Škara framework, while Kirkwood and Johnson add different wing and centre options. Lomažs gives the backcourt another scoring route at a late stage. The expected structure remains recognisable under Mitrović, but availability may dictate combinations before preference does. The first useful evidence will be whether the available wings can maintain spacing and defensive coverage together.
Season outlook
Deep-run ambition fits the blend of returning structure and new talent. The early version may be materially thinner than the nominal roster, so judge the group campaign alongside the active list.
The preseason question
Can the available perimeter group sustain creation while injured players work back?
Availability checkpoint · 24 Sep reporting identifies absences involving Gainey, Murray, Hurt, Škara and Osifo. Recheck the actual active list; no return timetable established.
Capper Watch
- Recheck the 24 Sep injury cluster before every game; do not infer returns from roster listings.
- Separate Lomažs’ immediate role from his eventual role in a healthier squad.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record active wings, minutes and the closing five for every game before comparing performance.
- Track whether Cowan’s rest minutes still produce paint touches and low-turnover possessions.
Roster note. Murray was in club summer plans but is absent from the Round 1 kit; do not treat the kit as a medical report.
Group B8 clubs · 4 qualification places
Group B · URV
Umana Reyer Venice
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · vs Skyliners Frankfurt · 29 Sep · 20:30 CEST · Venice · Taliercio
Key In
- Glynn Watson Jr. - from ASVEL; 2 Jul
- Sir’Jabari Rice - from Andorra; 11 Sep roundup
- Louis Olinde - from Manresa; 11 Sep roundup
- Erick Green - signed after Rice injury; 11 Sep
Key Out
- R.J. Cole - to Milan; 11 Sep roundup
- Carl Wheatle - to Maxima Roma; final 23 Sep roster
Core retained · Kyle Wiltjer · Jordan Parks · Amedeo Tessitori
Basketball identity
Venice can use Watson to connect with a familiar frontcourt, particularly Wiltjer’s spacing and the different finishing options of Parks and Tessitori. Green adds another creator after Rice’s injury, so the guard hierarchy may evolve as availability changes. Spahija has enough established pieces to preserve structure. The central test is whether the new handlers consistently exploit those relationships without leaving the defence exposed after live-ball turnovers.
Season outlook
Deep-run ambition is reasonable, although Group B has several teams with similar aims. Guard health and the integration of Green are the most immediate sources of uncertainty.
The preseason question
Does Venice maintain organised creation across Watson’s rest minutes?
Availability checkpoint · Rice ankle sprain reported 5 Sep; club cited it when signing Green on 11 Sep. Neither is in the 20 Sep official box. Recheck both for Round 1.
Capper Watch
- Recheck Rice and Green; both were absent from the 20 Sep official box.
- Monitor the trade-off between Wiltjer-led spacing and defensive mobility at centre.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Compare turnover types and paint entries with Watson on and off the floor.
- Log which frontcourt combination is trusted against spread pick-and-roll opponents.
Roster note. Some roundups sent Wheatle to the wrong Rome club; current kit places him at Maxima.
Group B · SKY
Skyliners Frankfurt
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · at Umana Reyer Venice · 29 Sep · 20:30 CEST · Venice · Taliercio
Key In
- Ryan Arcidiacono - announced 18 Aug
- Thomas Klepeisz - from Ulm; 5 Aug
- Race Thompson - summer acquisition
Key Out
- Ryan Hawkins - to Bosna; ABA 14 Sep
Core retained · Isaiah Swope · Nahiem Alleyne · Will Christmas
Basketball identity
Frankfurt retains Swope, Alleyne and Christmas while adding Arcidiacono and Klepeisz to the guard mix. That creates several ways to organise possessions, but also a real allocation problem: someone must supply pressure at the rim while others work away from the ball. Thompson offers a frontcourt target. Perwas’ main balancing act is finding enough rebounding and defensive size behind the smaller perimeter combinations he can now deploy.
Season outlook
Frankfurt enters a qualification fight in a demanding Group B. Guard continuity helps, but it must translate into reliable frontcourt support and possessions that survive opponent pressure.
The preseason question
Which guard combinations preserve both rim pressure and defensive rebounding?
Availability checkpoint · Knauf muscular issue was reported before the 13 Sep cup game; no later clearance verified.
Capper Watch
- Track Arcidiacono’s initiating role versus Swope’s scoring role.
- Recheck the centre rotation and Knauf’s status after the older muscular issue.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record second-chance concessions when the smaller guard lineups play together.
- Compare shot quality in possessions initiated by Arcidiacono and by Swope.
Roster note. Swope and Alleyne are retained, not new. Marcus Garrett in an earlier roundup is absent from the final kit.
Group B · SIA
Šiauliai Basketball
Development / outsiderRound 1 · vs London Lions · 30 Sep · 17:30 CEST · Šiauliai Arena
Key In
- Mike Caffey - from Voluntari; 27 Aug
- Kassim Nicholson - from Rostock; 27 Sep
- Karolis Lukošiūnas - from London; departure 6 Aug
Key Out
Dated exit evidence incomplete; no names asserted. This does not mean no departures.
Core retained · Dayvion McKnight · Cedric Henderson · Dovydas Romančenko
Basketball identity
Šiauliai can keep McKnight and Henderson as reference points while Caffey adds another organiser and Lukošiūnas supplies an off-ball shooting threat. Nicholson arrives close to the opener, increasing the number of wing combinations Songaila can explore. The route to competitiveness is shared creation that reaches the paint before the defence is comfortable. Rebounding coverage and the ability to defend a second action will matter against Group B’s larger squads.
Season outlook
An outsider starting band reflects the group’s depth, not an absence of credible players. The retained creators give Šiauliai a useful base from which to test the higher level.
The preseason question
Can Caffey and McKnight share responsibility without reducing Henderson’s useful touches?
Availability checkpoint · No current dated medical restriction verified; Nicholson has had little integration time.
Capper Watch
- Nicholson signed on 27 Sep; distinguish immediate minutes from a settled role.
- Monitor which perimeter combinations keep enough size on the defensive glass.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record the initiating guard and Henderson’s paint or catch-and-shoot opportunities each game.
- Compare opponent second chances with the smaller guard units and the larger wing units.
Roster note. No named departure is featured: older databases mix seasons and dated exit confirmation remains incomplete. McKnight is retained.
Group B · LDN
London Lions
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · at Šiauliai Basketball · 30 Sep · 17:30 CEST · Šiauliai Arena
Key In
- Devante Jones - from Trento; 22 Jun
- Keenan Evans - Žalgiris loan; 7 Aug
- Maxwell Lewis - loan announced 17 Jun
- Thomas Kennedy - from Cedevita; 16 Jun
Key Out
- Kameron McGusty - departure 13 Jul
- Karolis Lukošiūnas - departure 6 Aug; now Šiauliai
Core retained · Joel Scott · Tarik Phillip · Deane Williams
Basketball identity
London can pair Jones’ handling with Evans’ scoring and use Lewis on the wing, while Scott and Kennedy provide different interior targets. The retained Phillip and Deane Williams connections should help Sabonis establish defensive responsibilities. The appeal is multiple creators who can attack a shifting defence. The risk is a pecking order that looks clear in domestic games but becomes less comfortable against sustained European pressure and size.
Season outlook
The recruitment supports deep-run ambition, with a demanding Group B providing the immediate calibration. Domestic dominance would not by itself validate the European outlook.
The preseason question
Do Jones and Evans create complementary advantages rather than alternate isolated possessions?
Availability checkpoint · Evans played against Paris on 11 Sep; do not carry a historical injury label into a current absence claim.
Capper Watch
- Evans appeared on 11 Sep; verify current status without assuming a historical injury persists.
- Track the centre choice and Scott’s role alongside Kennedy.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Log possessions in which both Jones and Evans influence the same scoring action.
- Compare defensive rebounding and foul exposure against the group’s bigger frontcourts.
Roster note. Loan status does not establish a minutes limit. Official news archive records the featured departures.
Group B · LLT
La Laguna Tenerife
Title ambitionRound 1 · vs Türk Telekom Ankara · 30 Sep · 21:00 CEST · Tenerife · Santiago Martín
Key In
- Ethan Happ - from Burgos; 11 Jul
- Vince Hunter - from Lokomotiv; 21 Aug
Key Out
- Patty Mills - contract ended; 26 Jun
- Thomas Scrubb - departure 26 Jun
Core retained · Marcelinho Huertas · Giorgi Shermadini · Bruno Fitipaldo
Basketball identity
Tenerife retains the Huertas-Shermadini connection and Fitipaldo’s organisation, giving Lakovič a platform that already knows how to create through screening and timing. Happ and Hunter broaden the interior options, with Kyle Guy offering another perimeter scoring route. The task is to add those choices without diluting the familiar passing relationships. Defensive coverage when the veteran centres are pulled away from the basket remains a natural pressure point.
Season outlook
Title ambition is justified by the experienced core and added options. A new coach and a different European competition still make the first ten games a genuine adjustment period.
The preseason question
Can Lakovič add new frontcourt combinations while retaining the core’s offensive timing?
Availability checkpoint · No comprehensive current availability bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Track Huertas and Shermadini workload across domestic and European weeks.
- Note whether Happ or Hunter changes the closing defensive scheme.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record the closing centre against mobile opponents and the shots conceded from ball screens.
- Compare creation quality in Huertas-led units and the alternative guard-centre combinations.
Roster note. Kyle Guy is on the current roster but his arrival/retention category is not asserted here. Bamba Cisse spelling in the kit needs reconciliation; omitted from analysis.
Group B · TTA
Türk Telekom Ankara
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · at La Laguna Tenerife · 30 Sep · 21:00 CEST · Tenerife · Santiago Martín
Key In
- Jerrick Harding - from Rytas; 7 Jul
- Shaquielle McKissic - current roster; 13 Sep appearance
- Anthony Lamb - from Jerusalem; summer transfer register
- Ismael Bako - from Zenit; summer transfer register
Key Out
- Jaleen Smith - to Jerusalem; 8 Sep club appearance
- Kyle Alexander - to PAOK; current club roster
Core retained · Doğuş Özdemiroğlu · Kris Bankston
Basketball identity
Harding gives Türk Telekom a new scoring focal point, with Özdemiroğlu able to contribute organisation and McKissic offering a different way to attack the perimeter. Lamb and Bako broaden Can’s frontcourt choices after major departures. The prospective identity depends on linking those contrasting skills rather than asking every possession to begin with a difficult individual shot. Bankston and the retained domestic pieces provide some continuity underneath that change.
Season outlook
Deep-run ambition is credible, but the departure of established creators and finishers widens the adjustment range. Group B should reveal how quickly Harding’s scoring translates into a complete team attack.
The preseason question
Can the new creators consistently generate advantages for the interior players?
Availability checkpoint · No current specific restriction verified; confirm the active big-man rotation.
Capper Watch
- Use the current kit and dated reports; the club’s older web roster lags key departures.
- Monitor Harding’s shot burden and who organises the non-Harding minutes.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Track assisted interior finishes versus self-created perimeter shots.
- Record whether the same guard-centre pairings remain effective against switches and drop coverage.
Roster note. Türk Telekom website roster is stale. Jaleen Smith was an actual 2025-26 player, not merely a reversed summer plan.
Group B · RMA
Maxima Roma
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · vs U-BT Cluj-Napoca · 30 Sep · 21:00 CEST · Rome · Palazzetto dello Sport
Key In
- Miro Bilan - from Brescia; 4 Aug report
- Aaron Holiday - final roster 23 Sep
- John Brown III - final roster 23 Sep
- Hunter Tyson - late final-roster addition
Key Out
New club project: no comparable 2025-26 club departures.
Core retained · New club; no comparable retained core.
Basketball identity
Maxima can organise around Bilan’s screening and interior decisions while Holiday and Moon share the responsibility of getting the ball to useful places. Brown offers a contrasting defensive frontcourt profile, and Ryan and Tyson add wing size and shooting options. Cotelli brings some familiar relationships from Brescia, but the new club still needs a coherent rotation. The absent Carey plan makes the practical centre workload especially important.
Season outlook
Deep-run ambition fits the investment and individual quality, with substantial uncertainty around a new organisation. Group B rewards teams that establish dependable road execution quickly.
The preseason question
Can Holiday and Moon establish a clear partnership with Bilan without overloading his minutes?
Availability checkpoint · New-club depth is listed, but a full current medical bulletin is not verified.
Capper Watch
- Carey is a reversed summer plan; the current kit includes Tyson instead.
- Confirm each venue: the Round 1 kit specifies Palazzetto dello Sport.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record Bilan’s minutes, foul exposure and how the offence functions while he rests.
- Track whether Holiday/Moon closing possessions reach the paint before becoming difficult jump shots.
Roster note. Do not transfer all Brescia players into a retained core. September secondary roster has corrupted first names; kit controls Aaron Holiday and Mirza Alibegović. Vernon Carey was a planned addition absent from the final roster, not a 2025-26 Maxima departure.
Group B · UBT
U-BT Cluj-Napoca
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · at Maxima Roma · 30 Sep · 21:00 CEST · Rome · Palazzetto dello Sport
Key In
- Otis Livingston II - from Girona; 14 Jun
- Kristian Kullamäe - from Lietkabelis; 27 Jul
- Javonte Smart - ABA 16 Sep
- Uroš Plavšić - ABA 16 Sep
Key Out
- Iverson Molinar - to Budućnost; ABA 15 Sep
- Dušan Miletic - to Jerusalem; announced 4 Aug
Core retained · Patrick Richard
Basketball identity
Cluj’s attack must be rebuilt around Livingston, Smart and Kullamäe rather than the departed Molinar and Miletic. Richard provides an established point of reference, while the new interior options give Silvășan several screening and finishing combinations to test. The likely emphasis is guard-driven advantage creation with wings filling around it. That only works if the team protects the ball and establishes defensive rebounding responsibilities across the new rotation.
Season outlook
Deep-run ambition remains plausible, but the low player continuity makes the opening stretch less predictable. In Group B, functional combinations matter more than familiarity with the club’s previous attack.
The preseason question
Which new guard-centre partnership becomes reliable under road-game pressure?
Availability checkpoint · No comprehensive current medical bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Track the initiating roles of Livingston, Smart and Kullamäe.
- Watch whether the new interior group can finish defensive possessions without Richard doing extra rebounding work.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record pick-and-roll turnovers and clean interior finishes by guard-centre pairing.
- Compare the rotation used in the first five games with the closing group by game ten.
Roster note. Miletic belongs to Jerusalem; Molinar belongs to Budućnost. Prior scoring roles cannot be projected onto the current rotation.
Group C8 clubs · 4 qualification places
Group C · NEP
Neptūnas Klaipėda
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · vs Dolomiti Energia Trento · 29 Sep · 18:00 CEST · Klaipėda · Švyturio Arena
Key In
- Elvar Fridriksson - announced 6 Jul
- Martynas Echodas - from Vilnius; 21 Jul
Key Out
- Rihards Lomažs - to Cedevita; 23 Sep
Core retained · Donatas Tarolis · Mindaugas Girdžiūnas
Basketball identity
Neptūnas has a new organising centre of gravity with Fridriksson handling and Echodas providing an interior target. Franke and the wings give Petrauskas alternatives around those actions, while Tarolis and Girdžiūnas offer local continuity. Lomažs’ late move removes a scoring option that older previews may still include. The first task is to replace that responsibility through coordinated movement rather than asking the new guard to solve every late-clock possession.
Season outlook
A top-four fight is a fair starting frame in an open-looking Group C. The new lead-guard/centre connection must mature quickly enough to cover the late perimeter change.
The preseason question
Can Fridriksson create enough useful wing opportunities after Lomažs’ departure?
Availability checkpoint · No current medical clearance list verified.
Capper Watch
- Exclude Lomažs from the current rotation; he is now with Cedevita.
- Track Echodas’ foul burden and the defensive coverage used when he rests.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record paint touches that lead to open wing attempts rather than forced late-clock shots.
- Compare defensive rebounds and rim concessions across the main centre combinations.
Roster note. Official club pages were intermittently unavailable; indexed announcements and kit cross-check used. Velička departure destination not asserted.
Group C · TRE
Dolomiti Energia Trento
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · at Neptūnas Klaipėda · 29 Sep · 18:00 CEST · Klaipėda · Švyturio Arena
Key In
- Darius Brown II - club roster review 3 Aug
- Charles Brown Jr. - club roster review 3 Aug
- Quincy Olivari - announced 18 Jul
- Isaiah Bigelow - club roster review 3 Aug
Key Out
- Devante Jones - to London; 22 Jun
- Andrej Jakimovski - to Napoli; current roster
- DJ Steward - to Burgos; 27 Sep appearance
Core retained · Toto Forray · Jordan Bayehe
Basketball identity
Trento starts a new coaching phase with Rossi and a newly assembled American perimeter group. Darius Brown can initiate, Olivari and Charles Brown add scoring options, and Bigelow supplies another wing combination around Bayehe and the interior rotation. Forray offers continuity and a reference for tempo. The central uncertainty is decision-making under pressure: the new players must learn which advantages to pursue and when to move the ball on.
Season outlook
Qualification is a realistic ambition, with a wide development range during the first ten games. Group C provides a useful test of whether the rebuild has defensive substance as well as scoring options.
The preseason question
Can the new perimeter group organise possessions without leaning excessively on Forray?
Availability checkpoint · No current comprehensive medical bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Track the ball-handling order and the size of Rossi’s trusted rotation.
- Distinguish the new Browns: Darius is the guard; Charles/Charlie is the wing.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Compare live-ball turnovers and early-clock shot selection between games 1-5 and 6-10.
- Record which perimeter pairings remain on court during defensive closing possessions.
Roster note. Selom Mawugbe is current, but not classified as retained without a clean prior-season check.
Group C · TOF
Tofaş Bursa
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · vs Niners Chemnitz · 29 Sep · 19:00 CEST · Bursa · Tofaş Spor Salonu
Key In
- Bryce Jones - from Aris; 12 Jun
- Gabe Brown - from Strasbourg; 14 Jun
- Terrell Carter II - announced 22 Jun
- Zach Nutall - announced 25 Jun
Key Out
Dated exit evidence incomplete; no names asserted. This does not mean no departures.
Core retained · Yiğitcan Saybir · Sadık Emir Kabaca
Basketball identity
Tofaş can pair Jones’ creation with Brown’s perimeter threat and use Carter or McNeace as interior targets. Saybir and Kabaca preserve local connections, while Nutall and Reynolds provide alternative guard combinations. Cancellieri inherits enough contrasting pieces to vary the attack, but the rebuilt rotation still needs a common defensive language. The key is generating useful early advantages without letting missed shots and risky passes expose an unsettled transition defence.
Season outlook
A qualification fight is the initial frame, with upside if the new imports quickly connect. Group C should expose whether the depth translates into reliable defence away from home.
The preseason question
Can Tofaş retain offensive variety while reducing defensive breakdowns between rotations?
Availability checkpoint · Thurman missed the 12 Sep friendly through injury; no later clearance established. Apaydın subsequently appeared on 18 Sep.
Capper Watch
- Recheck Thurman’s status; the 12 Sep injury report is not current clearance.
- Track whether Jones or Reynolds runs the second-unit possessions.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Log transition chances conceded after live-ball turnovers, separated by guard unit.
- Compare defensive rebounding and foul rates in Carter and McNeace minutes.
Roster note. No named player departure is featured: current absence alone was not accepted as a confirmed exit. Carter is new, not retained.
Group C · CHE
Niners Chemnitz
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · at Tofaş Bursa · 29 Sep · 19:00 CEST · Bursa · Tofaş Spor Salonu
Key In
- Cobe Williams - announced 1 Jul
- Urald King - from Trier; 3 Jul
- Elias Rödl - announced 15 Jul
Key Out
- Kevin Yebo - to Erokspor; 9 Jul
- Aher Uguak - departure 14 Jul
- Nike Sibande - departure 13 Jul
- John Newman III - departure 13 Jul
Core retained · No senior retained anchor asserted in this audit.
Basketball identity
Chemnitz retains Pastore’s organisational framework while almost entirely replacing the senior playing group. Williams and the other guards must create a workable hierarchy, with King and Atkins offering different interior solutions. The roster can be assessed through how quickly it learns to help, recover and finish defensive possessions together. Familiar club habits cannot be assumed to transfer automatically when so many players are encountering those responsibilities for the first time.
Season outlook
The target is a top-four fight, with unusually high integration uncertainty. Group C competitiveness should be assessed through improving coordination rather than reputation inherited from the previous roster.
The preseason question
Does the new rotation develop a consistent defensive response to the second action?
Availability checkpoint · No current comprehensive injury bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Do not carry Yebo, Uguak, Sibande or Newman into current lineup assumptions.
- Monitor whether Williams becomes the clear late-game organiser.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Count repeat defensive errors after an opponent changes sides or rescreens.
- Compare the stability of the main eight-player rotation in games 1-5 and 6-10.
Roster note. Do not describe the previous Yebo/Uguak core as retained. Young domestic names in the kit are not evidence of senior continuity.
Group C · WKS
Śląsk Wrocław
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · vs Budućnost VOLI Podgorica · 30 Sep · 19:00 CEST · Wrocław · Hala Orbita
Key In
- Anthony Hickey - announced 20 Aug
- Paul Scruggs - announced 27 Sep
- John Egbunu - summer roster review
- Devin Robinson - summer roster review
Key Out
- Noah Kirkwood - to Cedevita; ABA 16 Sep
- Stefan Đorđević - to Budućnost; ABA 15 Sep
Core retained · Jakub Nizioł
Basketball identity
Śląsk has changed both its coach and imported spine, with Hickey supplying an experienced handling option and Egbunu offering a substantial interior target. Robinson gives the forwards another route to attack, while Nizioł preserves an established domestic reference. Scruggs arrives immediately before the opener, so the intended guard mix may not be the opening guard mix. Franco must establish a hierarchy that generates paint pressure without sacrificing floor balance.
Season outlook
The aspiration is a top-four fight, with a broad early adjustment range. The late guard addition makes actual integration evidence more useful than a nominal depth chart.
The preseason question
How quickly can Scruggs join a coherent guard hierarchy alongside Hickey?
Availability checkpoint · Scruggs signing does not establish Round 1 registration or readiness; verify the matchday squad.
Capper Watch
- Confirm Scruggs’ registration and active status after the 27 Sep signing.
- Track Egbunu’s foul exposure and the smaller lineups Franco uses when he rests.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record Hickey/Scruggs overlap minutes and whether those possessions produce paint touches.
- Compare turnovers and defensive rebounds before and after the rotation stabilises.
Roster note. Scruggs is absent from the kit but confirmed by the newer club announcement. Matt Rogers summer listing is not carried into the active roster.
Group C · BUD
Budućnost VOLI Podgorica
Title ambitionRound 1 · at Śląsk Wrocław · 30 Sep · 19:00 CEST · Wrocław · Hala Orbita
Key In
- Iverson Molinar - from Cluj; ABA 15 Sep
- Justin Smith - from Jerusalem; ABA 15 Sep
- Marial Shayok - from Chiba; ABA 15 Sep
- Stefan Đorđević - from Śląsk; ABA 15 Sep
Key Out
- Nikola Tanasković - to Partizan; ABA transfer register
- Zoran Nikolić - to Slovan; ABA transfer register
Core retained · Yogi Ferrell · Jerry Boutsiele · Juwan Morgan
Basketball identity
Budućnost can retain Ferrell’s organisation, Morgan’s versatility and Boutsiele’s interior presence while introducing Molinar as another attacking guard. Shayok and Smith add different wing and forward options around a group that already includes established shooters. Žakelj therefore has less basic reconstruction to do than many rivals. The challenge is deciding which additions improve the core’s combinations without creating redundant touches or weakening its defensive rebounding responsibilities.
Season outlook
The balance of continuity and reinforcement supports title ambition. Group C still requires disciplined qualification work, particularly when the new guard combinations face pressure away from home.
The preseason question
Does Molinar expand the attack without reducing the effectiveness of the retained creators?
Availability checkpoint · No current comprehensive injury bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Boutsiele is retained; assess his existing relationship with Ferrell rather than treating it as a new pairing.
- Track which wings close alongside the main guard and centre.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Compare assisted interior finishes and turnovers when Ferrell and Molinar share the floor.
- Record whether new closing combinations protect the defensive glass as reliably as the established core.
Roster note. Boutsiele is a renewal, not an arrival. The retained-core band does not mean identical roles.
Group C · NAP
Napoli Basketball
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · vs Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse · 30 Sep · 20:00 CEST · Naples · Alcott Arena
Key In
- Jeff Dowtin - from Maccabi; summer roster review
- Marco Spissu - from Zaragoza; summer roster review
- Markel Brown - from Trieste; summer roster review
- Andrej Jakimovski - from Trento; September presentation
Key Out
- Naz Mitrou-Long - to PAOK; current club roster
- Milton Doyle - listed among summer departures; 23 Sep roster review
Core retained · Leonardo Faggian · Leonardo Totè · Guglielmo Caruso
Basketball identity
Napoli can spread creation across Dowtin, Spissu, Brown and Ramsey, with Seljaas and the forwards providing finishing and spacing options. Repeša has retained domestic pieces but must construct a new perimeter order. The main tactical opportunity is to attack the second defensive rotation with another capable handler. The main risk is possession-by-possession improvisation that leaves too many players watching and the defence poorly balanced when the shot goes up.
Season outlook
Deep-run ambition is plausible from the recruitment, but qualification in Group C is the first proof point. The opening ten games should clarify whether the guard depth produces complementary roles.
The preseason question
Which perimeter combinations create shared advantages rather than alternating individual attacks?
Availability checkpoint · No current comprehensive injury bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Markel Brown is new from Trieste; his role must be established with the other guards.
- Monitor the interior pairing used behind the different guard groups.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record how often a second handler attacks an advantage created by the first.
- Compare transition defence and defensive rebounding across the main closing lineups.
Roster note. Markel Brown is an arrival from Trieste, not retained. Jahmi’us Ramsey and Zach Seljaas also appear in the final roster.
Group C · JLB
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · at Napoli Basketball · 30 Sep · 20:00 CEST · Naples · Alcott Arena
Key In
- Tyson Walker - announced 30 May
- Tyrese Samuel - announced 5 Jun
- Keith Jordan - announced 9 Jun
- Kadin Shedrick - announced 22 Jun
Key Out
- Adam Mokoka - to Aris; 20 Sep club appearance
- William McDowell-White - departure 7 Jun
- Kevin Kokila - departure confirmed 7 Jun roundup
Core retained · Assemian Moulare · Antony Labanca · Adrian Nelson
Basketball identity
Bourg must replace substantial perimeter and interior responsibility while preserving Fauthoux’s structure. Walker and Moulare can organise around Samuel and Shedrick, with Jordan and the wings connecting the actions. The retained Labanca and Nelson links should help, but Robineau’s injury narrows the available backcourt combinations. The best early sign would be an attack that reaches the second side with purpose rather than relying on difficult shots from the new guards.
Season outlook
Deep-run ambition is a reasonable aspiration, with a significant player-turnover caveat. Group C will test whether the system can absorb that change while the guard rotation is short.
The preseason question
Can Walker and Moulare sustain the creation load during Robineau’s absence?
Availability checkpoint · Robineau: foot muscle injury, 5-6 weeks estimated on 17 Sep. Recheck the club; no guaranteed return date.
Capper Watch
- Robineau’s 17 Sep estimate was 5-6 weeks; require a new club update before projecting a return.
- Track the Samuel/Shedrick split and who protects the rim in closing lineups.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record late-clock possessions and turnovers in the reserve-guard minutes.
- Compare opponent paint access with each centre and with smaller frontcourts.
Roster note. Robineau and Gaudoux transaction category differs across early summaries; neither is labelled retained or new in the card.
Group D8 clubs · 4 qualification places
Group D · BKS
Bahçeşehir College Istanbul
Title ambitionRound 1 · vs Roma Basketball · 30 Sep · 18:00 CEST · Istanbul · Sinan Erdem
Key In
- Aleksa Avramović - from Dubai; 17 Jul club index
- Marcquise Reed - from Trabzonspor; 25 Jun
- Isiaha Mike - announced 2 Jul
- Damien Inglis - announced 29 Jul
Key Out
- Balsa Koprivica - to Burgos; 27 Sep appearance
Core retained · Malachi Flynn · Mateusz Ponitka · Trevion Williams
Basketball identity
Bahçeşehir can build on Flynn’s handling, Ponitka’s connecting work and Trevion Williams’ interior decisions while adding Avramović and Reed to the perimeter. Inglis and Mike broaden the forward combinations. The roster offers several ways to initiate without losing a passing hub near the basket. Djordjević’s task is to establish which combinations defend the ball and space the floor best, especially when several players can reasonably ask for more touches.
Season outlook
Title ambition follows from the retained spine and multiple additions with substantial responsibility elsewhere. Group D should test whether that depth produces clear roles rather than a changing hierarchy.
The preseason question
Can the new perimeter creators improve the attack without taking Williams out of the passing game?
Availability checkpoint · No current comprehensive medical bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Track the Flynn/Avramović/Reed allocation and the defensive assignment of each.
- Monitor Williams’ touches against switching opponents and whether Ponitka remains the connector.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record possessions involving both a guard advantage and a Williams passing decision.
- Compare ball containment and defensive rebounding across the preferred closing combinations.
Roster note. Vitto Brown is not in the final kit. Avramović index/article dates differ within July; exact signing day is not asserted.
Group D · ROM
Roma Basketball
Deep-run ambitionRound 1 · at Bahçeşehir College Istanbul · 30 Sep · 18:00 CEST · Istanbul · Sinan Erdem
Key In
- Nico Mannion - from Milan; 20 Aug camp
- Marko Simonović - from Türk Telekom; 20 Aug camp
- Trentyn Flowers - 20 Aug camp
- Corey Davis - final September roster
Key Out
New club project: no comparable 2025-26 club departures.
Core retained · New club; no comparable retained core.
Basketball identity
Roma Basketball can begin with Mannion’s ball-screen creation and Simonović’s interior work, while Davis offers another organiser and the wings supply different finishing routes. Magro is building those relationships within a new club, so the nominal roster should not be mistaken for established depth. Flowers’ latest ankle issue adds uncertainty on the wing. The crucial early task is defining repeatable half-court actions that survive when the initial guard advantage disappears.
Season outlook
Deep-run ambition is an upside-oriented band with low confidence in the early version. Group D contains enough established structures to punish slow defensive integration.
The preseason question
Can Roma establish dependable half-court creation while its wing rotation is unsettled?
Availability checkpoint · Flowers injured his ankle in the domestic opener. 28 Sep reporting says no major lesion on scans; reassessment pending, not a clearance.
Capper Watch
- Recheck Flowers after the 28 Sep scan update; no major lesion does not equal match fitness.
- Magro is the coach; Scariolo’s advisory role does not imply a different sideline system.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Track turnovers and late-clock attempts in Mannion’s rest minutes.
- Record the actual active wings and whether help rotations improve by games 6-10.
Roster note. Alessandro Magro is head coach; Sergio Scariolo is an adviser. Jesse Edwards appeared in August camp reporting but is absent from the final kit. Do not list him as active.
Group D · LIE
Lietkabelis Panevėžys
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · vs Bosna BH Telecom Sarajevo · 30 Sep · 18:30 CEST · Panevėžys · Kalnapilio Arena
Key In
- Ognjen Jaramaz - from Cedevita; 29 Jul
- Keondre Kennedy - new roster after rebuild
- Ivan Février - new roster after rebuild
Key Out
- Kristian Kullamäe - to Cluj; 27 Jul
Core retained · Gabrielius Maldūnas · Nojus Radžius
Basketball identity
Lietkabelis combines Čanak’s continuity with a largely new playing group. Jaramaz can provide an organising reference, while Kennedy, Février and the other newcomers must establish their complementary roles around Maldūnas. The director’s description of only two returnees is a useful corrective to assumptions of a familiar team. The route is disciplined possession basketball, but that identity must be demonstrated through the new players’ spacing, screening and defensive communication.
Season outlook
A top-four fight matches the club’s stated wish to reach the next stage, with rebuilding risk in Group D. Coaching continuity provides a platform rather than a guarantee.
The preseason question
Can Jaramaz turn Čanak’s structure into reliable execution with an almost new supporting cast?
Availability checkpoint · No current comprehensive medical bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Track who handles the ball when Jaramaz rests.
- Monitor Maldūnas’ workload and the defensive rebounding contribution of the new forwards.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Compare live-ball turnovers in Jaramaz-led and reserve units.
- Record whether a stable closing five forms and reduces repeated help-rotation mistakes.
Roster note. Rebuild classification follows the director rather than mixed-season roster databases.
Group D · BOS
Bosna BH Telecom Sarajevo
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · at Lietkabelis Panevėžys · 30 Sep · 18:30 CEST · Panevėžys · Kalnapilio Arena
Key In
- Reggie Perry - current club roster; September appearance
- Gary Browne - announced 9 Sep
- Ryan Hawkins - from Frankfurt; ABA 14 Sep
- Marcus Domask - from Oostende; ABA 14 Sep
Key Out
- Michael Young - ABA transfer register
- Janari Jõesaar - ABA transfer register
- Jarrod West - ABA transfer register
Core retained · Edin Atić
Basketball identity
Bosna’s rebuild gives Gjergja a new creation route through Browne, with Perry and Banks offering different interior targets. Atić remains a familiar connector, while Hawkins and Domask add alternative forward combinations. The move into the competition increases the importance of shared defensive rules and controlled possessions. The roster has more options than the earliest summer summaries suggest, but the new pieces still have to establish a practical hierarchy under sustained European pressure.
Season outlook
A qualification fight is the constructive starting frame, with substantial uncertainty after the late field change and extensive rebuild. Group D will quickly expose the quality of the guard-centre relationships.
The preseason question
Can Browne organise the new interior options without the attack becoming dependent on one pairing?
Availability checkpoint · No current comprehensive injury bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Include Perry and Browne in the current roster; older introductions were incomplete.
- Track the closing centre and how Atić is used when the main guard is pressured.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record paint entries and turnovers against pressure in Browne’s on- and off-court minutes.
- Compare defensive rebounds and foul exposure across Perry and Banks combinations.
Roster note. Bosna replaces Monaco in Group D. Earlier ABA introductions did not fully reflect the Perry/Browne additions.
Group D · PBC
PAOK Thessaloniki
Title ambitionRound 1 · vs Kids&Us Manresa · 30 Sep · 18:30 CEST · Thessaloniki · PAOK Sports Arena
Key In
- Nick Calathes - from Partizan; 17 Jun
- Cedi Osman - joined practice 3 Sep
- Trevor Hudgins - from Le Mans; current club roster
- Kyle Alexander - from Türk Telekom; current club roster
Key Out
Dated exit evidence incomplete; no names asserted. This does not mean no departures.
Core retained · Breein Tyree
Basketball identity
PAOK can use Calathes as an organiser, Osman as a large perimeter threat and Hudgins as another scoring route, with Alexander and the centres providing interior targets. Trinchieri has a broad set of choices, but most of the relationships are new. Tyree’s uncertain recovery affects the guard balance. The first challenge is to distinguish useful depth from overlapping roles and find lineups that maintain spacing while containing the ball defensively.
Season outlook
The roster supports title ambition, with a meaningful integration and availability caveat. Group D should reveal whether the new structure can execute consistently away from home.
The preseason question
Which guard-wing-centre combinations remain balanced when the strongest individual scorer is resting?
Availability checkpoint · Tyree underwent arthroscopy on 3 Sep. A later definitive clearance was not verified; do not assume either absence or full fitness.
Capper Watch
- Recheck Tyree’s status after the 3 Sep arthroscopy; neither full fitness nor continued absence is established.
- Do not add Motiejūnas to the active roster on the basis of a rumour.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record the closing five and how Calathes and Hudgins divide initiation.
- Compare transition concessions and defensive rebounds across the larger and smaller perimeter units.
Roster note. No departure featured without current dated confirmation. Motiejūnas was a rumour at cutoff and is excluded. Tyree renewal confirmed separately on 2 Jul.
Group D · MAN
Kids&Us Manresa
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · at PAOK Thessaloniki · 30 Sep · 18:30 CEST · Thessaloniki · PAOK Sports Arena
Key In
- JD Notae - announced 21 Aug
- Timmy Allen - announced 1 Aug
- Chibuzo Agbo - current summer roster
- Nick Ongenda - current summer roster
Key Out
- Retin Obasohan - to Burgos; 16 Jul
- Louis Olinde - to Venice; 11 Sep roundup
Core retained · Hugo Benítez · Ferran Bassas · Pierre Oriola
Basketball identity
Manresa can build a new perimeter attack around Notae, Allen and Agbo, with Ongenda offering an interior target and Bassas providing a familiar organising option. Ocampo retains only a small core, and the latest domestic availability problems complicate the opening version. The intended advantage is several players able to attack a moving defence. The challenge is preserving that activity when missing players force narrower lineups and heavier workloads on the available guards.
Season outlook
A top-four fight is appropriate, with the early range strongly dependent on the active list. Group D allows little comfort if the rebuilt rotation is also short-handed.
The preseason question
Can the available guard group maintain creation while Benítez, Allen and Oriola are rechecked?
Availability checkpoint · Benítez left the 26 Sep domestic opener injured; Allen and Oriola were absent. No confirmed return dates established.
Capper Watch
- Use the 26 Sep injury/absence report as a dated checkpoint, not a current clearance list.
- Track Bassas’ workload and which wing is assigned the main opponent creator.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Record active personnel before comparing turnover rates and paint touches game to game.
- Compare defensive rebounding and rim concessions when the smaller lineups are used.
Roster note. No assumption that the nominal squad depth is immediately available.
Group D · ULM
ratiopharm Ulm
Top-four group qualification fightRound 1 · vs Balkan Botevgrad · 30 Sep · 19:00 CEST · Ulm · ratiopharm arena
Key In
- Jaylen Sims - June club announcement
- Simi Shittu - roster completed 3 Aug
- Michael Rataj - summer signing
- Devin Schmidt - summer signing
Key Out
- Thomas Klepeisz - to Frankfurt; 5 Aug
- Christian Sengfelder - to Burgos; current kit
Core retained · Meissa Faye · Teo Milicic
Basketball identity
Ulm has replaced veteran pieces with a group that gives Sims, Schmidt and the younger players more responsibility. Shittu and Rataj provide new frontcourt combinations around Faye, while Milicic offers a retained connection. Harrelson’s task is to turn that mix into organised tempo rather than rushed possessions. The roster’s development potential is clear as a design, but decision-making and defensive rebounding must carry it through difficult stretches against older opponents.
Season outlook
The aspiration is a top-four fight, with a wide range during the adjustment period. Group D is a useful test of whether the younger rotation can execute when pace is removed.
The preseason question
Can Ulm preserve possession quality when opponents force the young group into half-court decisions?
Availability checkpoint · Milicic, Atamna and Traoré were absent in the 9 Sep report; no current medical conclusion follows.
Capper Watch
- Klepeisz and Sengfelder have moved; do not rely on the June retention picture.
- Recheck the players absent on 9 Sep before projecting the usable rotation.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Compare turnovers from hurried decisions in games 1-5 and 6-10.
- Record defensive rebounds and late-clock shot quality against the group’s more experienced frontcourts.
Roster note. June club text still expected Sengfelder to stay; final Burgos kit supersedes that. Faye is retained, not an arrival.
Group D · BLK
Balkan Botevgrad
Development / outsiderRound 1 · at ratiopharm Ulm · 30 Sep · 19:00 CEST · Ulm · ratiopharm arena
Key In
- Javante McCoy - from Netanya; 19 Aug
- Alex Ducas - at 22 Aug camp
- Ulrich Chomche - at 22 Aug camp
- Ivan Alipiev - August signing
Key Out
Dated exit evidence incomplete; no names asserted. This does not mean no departures.
Core retained · Dimitar Dimitrov · Nikolay Grozev
Basketball identity
Balkan can retain Dimitrov and Grozev as local reference points while McCoy, Ducas and the new imports establish a higher-level rotation. Chomche offers a different interior profile, and Alipiev expands the wing options. Karaičić must coordinate those pieces without losing the value of the domestic core. The main early test is whether ball security and defensive rebounding remain functional when opponents repeatedly pressure the guards and play through larger frontcourts.
Season outlook
The development/outsider band reflects the size of the competitive transition and the rebuild. Progress can be visible before results if the rotation becomes more organised across the opening ten games.
The preseason question
Can Balkan keep its possession structure intact against sustained pressure and interior size?
Availability checkpoint · No current comprehensive medical bulletin verified.
Capper Watch
- Verify the active import rotation and the centre hierarchy on each matchday.
- Use Karaičić as the coaching baseline; older Hristov listings are outdated.
Games 1-10 · What to test
- Track live-ball turnovers against pressure and whether they decline by games 6-10.
- Record opponent second chances and how often the first defensive stop is completed.
Roster note. No named exit featured without dated confirmation. Bogdan Karaičić is the current coach; older Vasil Hristov listings are stale.