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Don't miss the first vlog of the 2021-22 season! Directly from Zenit St Petersburg Media Day, Billy Baron talks to the EuroLeague fans.

Media Day Vlog: Billy Baron, Zenit St Petersburg

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne guard Paul Lacombe is set to miss the start of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season due to a finger injury. Lacombe's discolated left index finger required surgery and should keep him sidelined for six weeks. He averaged 2.4 points and 1.4 assists in 25 EuroLeague games with ASVEL last season. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">❗ Info effectif | Six semaines d’absence pour Paul LACOMBE<br><br>Blessé lors du deuxième match de préparation de l’Ain Star Game, l’arrière villeurbannais sera éloigné des terrains pour une durée de six semaines environ.<br>✍ <a href="https://t.co/lun5BNQxEy">https://t.co/lun5BNQxEy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1434882839103868937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center>

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ASVEL: Lacombe, out 6 weeks

With a largely unchanged roster supplemented by a couple of major summer signings, Coach Dimitris Itoudis is ready to lead CSKA Moscow on another serious title challenge.

### BACKCOURT

CSKA made a major move in the summer by bringing back Alexey Shved, who started his career with the club and now returns nine years later firmly established as one of European basketball’s biggest stars. Another new arrival in the backcourt is Marius Grigonis. The 27-year-old swingman has been getting better in practically every statistical category over the last few seasons and his versatility should serve as the perfect counterpoint to Shved in an exciting pairing. The new signings are joined by Iffe Lundberg and Daniel Hackett. Lundberg was excellent in his first half-season in the competition, becoming an increasingly trusted member of Coach Itoudis’s lineup over the course of his 15 appearances and the Dane will now aim to maintain that standard throughout the coming campaign. Hackett, of course, has already done and seen everything over the course of his 10 seasons in the competition and his experience and determined defense will continue to be important for CSKA. The backcourt is completed by Ivan Ukhov and Alexander Khomenko, who both made regular contributions off the bench last season and can expect to do the same this year.

### FRONTCOURT

There is a look of familiarity about CSKA’s frontcourt with virtually no changes from last season. The only addition is experienced big man Vladimir Ivlev, who arrives after five seasons with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar. He previously played in the EuroLeague with Nizhny Novgorod in 2014-15. Ivlev gives more size to an already formidable range of options in the paint led by Nikola Milutinov, who will hope for better luck with injuries after missing the end of last season. The Serbian center has been looking good in preseason and appears ready to re-establish the starting position he occupied until injury struck in January. Milutinov’s physical presence is complemented by the mobility and deep shooting range of Johannes Voigtmann. CSKA can also call upon one of the best power forwards in Europe, Toko Shengelia, who offers poise and power at both ends of the floor, and former EuroLeague Final Four MVP Will Clyburn, whose energy and dynamism add another explosive element. Team captain Nikola Kurbanov is the essence of reliability, and two more tried and trusted options are Anton Semenov and Joel Bolomboy, both of whom will receive plenty of playing time. Youngster Andrei Lopatin completes the roster.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

The return of Alexey Shved to the red colors of CSKA Moscow is without doubt one of the most intriguing storylines to follow heading into the new season. Shved’s scoring heroics with Khimki Moscow Region over the past six seasons have earned him countless individual honors and accolades, including Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy awards in 2018 and 2021. On a personal level, last season was one of Shved’s best as he led the league in both scoring (19.8 per game) and assists (7.7 per game), and ranked second in PIR (19.6 per game). However, on a collective level the season was nothing short of disastrous as Khimki – despite all that offensive production from Shved – could only win four games and finished bottom of the standings by a long way. The grand question for Coach Itoudis to answer is how Shved’s undeniable individual brilliance can be put to the service of the team as a whole. The steadying presence of reliable veterans like Hackett and Kurbanov should ensure the right balance can be found. If everything clicks, there is every chance Shved will play a key role in conquering his second EuroLeague crown, having already done so with CSKA in 2008. Back then he was a teenager and a peripheral presence – this time, he has a much bigger part to play.

### OUTLOOK

CSKA Moscow launching yet another strong title challenge can be taken for granted with the arrival of each new season. The Russian giant has shown incredible consistency over the years, qualifying for nine consecutive Final Fours and an incredible 18 this century. Considering the quality and experience at the disposal of Coach Itoudis – not to mention his outstanding ability to get the best out of his teams – it would be a big surprise if CSKA doesn’t find its way to Berlin for next May’s season finale.

Roster rundown: CSKA Moscow

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens comes off a difficult season in which the Greens ranked 16th overall with an 11-23 record. New coach Dimitris Priftis together with a very balanced squad featuring several hungry signings ready to make their Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debuts alongside a core of players that know the competition inside out have fans in the Greek capital feeling optimistic for 2021-22.

### BACKCOURT

There have been significant changes at the point guard position. Kendrick Perry arrives from Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana to provide athleticism, intense defense, court sense and leadership. He ranked third in PIR (19.2) in the 7DAYS EuroCup last season, averaging 16.1 points, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 16 games. Panathinaikos also added combo guard Daryl Macon, a great scorer with excellent shooting selection. Perry and Macon are EuroLeague newcomers and should be helped by Lefteris Bochoridis at point guard. In his second stint with the Greens, Bochoridis offers size, intensity and strong driving skills. Nemanja Nedovic is expected to play a leading role due to his experience, all-around scoring skills and unlimited shooting range. Right at the prime of his career, Nedovic has all it takes to have a huge season. Howard Sant-Roos is a special player; he provides versatility, elite defense, aggressiveness and a high basketball IQ. Sant-Roos should do a little bit of everything to help Panathinaikos succeed. Eleftherios Mantzoukas is a young, ambitious talent ready to fight for significant playing time. He is quite quick for a player his size (2.07 meters) and is an excellent three-point shooter.

### FRONTCOURT

Ioannis Papapetrou and Okaro White are versatile, experienced forwards who can play multiple positions. Papapetrou comes off a strong 2020-21 campaign (12.1 ppg., 4.1 rpg.) and is fully established as one of the best small forwards in European basketball. White already played for Coach Priftis in the EuroCup with Aris Thessaloniki and UNICS Kazan. He helps under the boards and can open the floor with his outside shooting, too. Leonidas Kaselakis provides energy and a winning mentality off the bench. Center Georgios Papagiannis returns to lead Panathinaikos's frontcourt, providing much-needed effectiveness at both ends. Just like Papagiannis, Jehyve Floyd is a terrific shot-blocker who can change games through defense. Jeremy Evans spreads the floor with his deep shooting range and can also finish high above the rim due to his outstanding athleticism.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

Georgios Papagiannis took a huge step forward last season. He worked hard to become a mobile center, finishing alley-oops and moving better around the basket. It paid off at the defensive end, too, as Papagiannis ranked second in blocked shots last season at 1.6 per night, only trailing two-time EuroLeague Best Defender Edy Tavares. Papagiannis was also ninth in two-point shooting percentage (67.4%) as he averaged 8.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 32 EuroLeague games. At age 24, Papagiannis is already an experienced EuroLeague player ready to make a difference at both ends of the floor. His size 2.20-meter frame and quick feet give him an advantage in the paint and Papagiannis looks ready to make the most out of it.

### OUTLOOK

Panathinaikos needed a fresh look and made a lot of roster changes to achieve that. Coach Priftis is also a EuroLeague newcomer but is experienced enough and has his trademark style, in which defense comes first and foremost. It may take some time for players like Perry, White, Macon and Floyd to adjust to the competition, but Panathinaikos also managed to keep stars Nedovic, Sant-Roos, Papagiannis and Papapetrou, who will carry the team from the very beginning of the season. Of course, Panathinaikos fans will be back in the stands and that is great news for the Greens, as they know how to be their team's sixth man.

Roster Rundown: Panathinaikos OPAP Athens

AS Monaco penned a deal with veteran big man [Brock Motum](https://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=006599&seasoncode=E2021#!careerstats) for the 2021-22 season, the club announced Friday. Motum (2.08 meters, 30 years old) returns to the EuroLeague after playing five straight seasons in Europe's premier competition between 2015 and 2020 with three different clubs: Zalgiris Kaunas, Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Valencia Basket. He averaged 7.9 points on 41.3% three-point shooting in 134 EuroLeague games in that time. Motum made his professional debut with Virtus Bologna in 2013 and played one season with Adelaide in his native Australia before joining Zalgiris. He has also won national championships and cups in both Lithuania and Turkey. Motum is a long-time member of the Australian national team, too, and has played for the Boomers at both the Olympics and the World Cup.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">✍️ 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝘂𝗺 signe avec l’ASM ! 💥 Finaliste <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> en 2019 avec l&#39;Anadolu Efes, l&#39;international australien 🇦🇺 (2,08 m, 30 ans) est avec le groupe depuis le début de la pré-saison à Bormio 👀 Il renforce officiellement le poste 4 💪<br>👋 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 <a href="https://twitter.com/brockm12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrockM12</a> 🇲🇨 <a href="https://t.co/rNfkLgqiRe">pic.twitter.com/rNfkLgqiRe</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1433765226760003613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Monaco signs veteran big man Motum

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UNICS Kazan returns to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after four dominant campaigns in the 7DAYS EuroCup and new head coach Velimir Perasovic has a long and talented roster with which to take the competition by storm. 

### BACKCOURT

The secret to the backcourt may be that so many players can fill either guard role. Lorenzo Brown brings point guard skills to a shooting guard's body, while Isaiah Canaan can be a go-to scorer in a point guard's body. When playing together, they will have opposing defenders on their heels. Vyacheslav Zaytsev brings bounds of EuroLeague experience and was Khimki Moscow Region's leader for stretches last season. Marco Spissu, a member of the Italian team at the 2020 Olympic Games, is a natural playmaker who will play outside his native country and in the EuroLeague for the first time. The rest of the team should benefit from his passing skills. Sharpshooter Artem Komolov is also new to the EuroLeague and his deep range will earn him minutes. Swingman Mario Hezonja is a thundering offensive force with a complete package to attack the rim and knock down perimeter shots. The ever-physical Georgy Zhbanov should be a defensive ace Coach Perasovic can call on to slow down opposing stars. Dmitrii Uzinskii returns for a third straight season with UNICS as a reliable and heady reserve. 

### FRONTCOURT

An All-EuroCup selection last season, John Brown will rely on his toughness and athleticism to make waves in the paint in his premier EuroLeague campaign. He will team up with a few veterans in the power forward rotation. Three-time champion Andrey Vorontsevich wrote the book on the prototypical modern '4' and after a season outside the competition will be hungry. Evgeny Valiev is a beast on the offensive glass who will do all the blue-collar work needed. Old-school center Tonye Jekiri is also an elite offensive rebounder. Between Jekiri and Artem Klimenko, UNICS will have size and power at center, though Perasovic can always get creative by using some of his forwards at the '5' for a smaller, quicker lineup. 

### PLAYER TO WATCH 

For whatever team he has played for at whatever stage in his career, Mario Hezonja has always been a player to watch. He plays with a mix of power and finesse, but is as aggressive as they come about getting the ball in the basket. Because of those traits, fans seem to fall in love with Super Mario at every stop, too. That will likely be the case in Kazan, too. The plethora of weapons UNICS has should only make Hezonja more dangerous, though there will be a natural learning period as the perimeter stars on the team learn to play off of one another. When they have it all figured out, UNICS will be fun to watch with Hezonja as one of its big leaders.

### OUTLOOK 

Even though UNICS Kazan has not played in the EuroLeague since 2016-17, Coach Perasovic and co. will not be overwhelmed by the moment when the season tips off at home against fellow Russian side Zenit St Petersburg on October 1. The team has plenty of experience in the locker room and endless talent on the court. The challenge for a team with a new coach and nine new players will be coming together quickly and establishing on-court chemistry. Perasovic has proven to be a master in overseeing that department and getting his teams to challenge for big goals quickly. That is surely the goal this season in Kazan. 

Roster Rundown: UNICS Kazan

With new coach Sasa Djordjevic accompanied by a batch of highly talented new signings, this season has the feel of another fresh beginning for a Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul team that will never settle for anything less than a serious push for the title.

### BACKCOURT

Fenerbahce’s attack will continue to be powered by arguably the consistently greatest offensive weapon across the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague over the last decade, Nando De Colo. Although he is now 34 years, the two-time champion showed no sign of slowing down last season, averaging 15.8 points per game and enjoying his best-ever season in two-point shooting accuracy (58.5%). Swingman Marko Guduric is another top-quality performer whose size, toughness, versatility and scoring prowess will be valuable. Ball control and distribution will be controlled by new signing Pierria Henry, who ranked second in the league in assists last season with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz with an average of 7.3 per night. Another promising newcomer in the backcourt is Marial Shayok, who showed outstanding form during his first half-season in European basketball by averaging 18.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists over 12 Turkish League games with Frutti Extra Bursaspor and will now be eager to prove himself at a higher level. The same applies to another new arrival, Ismet Akpinar, after he made just a handful of appearances in the competition with ALBA Berlin in 2014-15. Three-point shooting and leadership will be provided by long-serving team captain Melih Mahmutoglu, while youngsters Ekrem Sancakli and Ergi Tirpanci complete the backcourt options for Coach Djordjevic.

### FRONTCOURT

In the same way that De Colo provides a reliable presence in the backcourt, the same applies in the paint to Jan Vesely. One of the most exciting and dominant big men in competition history delivered another strong campaign in 2020-21 with 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game to show he can still be a major force. Two new faces will greatly assist Vesely, starting with Achille Polonara following his summer move from Baskonia. The all-action Italian is a big threat at both ends of the court; he scored in double digits on 21 occasions last season while also ranking third in the league for defensive rebounds and fifth in blocked shots. Fener can also expect a significant contribution from new signing Devin Booker, whose power and athleticism in the paint will rotate perfectly with Vesely and ensure opponents are never given a moment’s respite. Another key player is Dyshawn Pierre, who does a bit of everything and had the team’s third-best PIR last season after De Colo and Vesely. With Danilo Barthel, Tarik Biberovic, Ahmet Duverioglu and the returning Metecan Birsen also in the roster, there is no shortage of size or power in the Fenerbahce ranks and this will not be an easy team to compete against.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

De Colo will score points and Vesely will dominate the paint – that much can be guaranteed. But in terms of controlling the tempo and rhythm of the action, a huge amount of responsibility will rest on the shoulders of new signing Pierria Henry. The American point guard has been getting better and better with every passing season since first appearing on the European stage with ratiopharm Ulm in the 2015-16 EuroCup. He is an extremely reliable presence, appearing in all 34 games for Baskonia last season and averaging nearly 27 minutes on the floor. Importantly, Henry also provides an energetic presence on defense; he led the league in steals in each of the last two seasons and his all-round ability to orchestrate the offense with creativity while stifling the opposition with energy will be crucial in allowing De Colo and Vesely the freedom to do what they do better than practically anyone else.

### OUTLOOK

After missing out in the playoffs last season – ending a run of five straight Final Four appearances – Fenerbahce will be determined to launch a competitive challenge for the title and to please its ferociously loyal horde of fans. Indeed, having supporters back across Europe will benefit few teams more than Fenerbahce, which can count on receiving an extra boost of energy both at home and on the road. With the new recruits adding a fresh spark while the reliable returning quartet of De Colo, Vesely, Guduric and Pierre continue to provide the heartbeat, if injuries to key players can be avoided there is every potential for the Turkish team to fight for another title – although, with three of its four last games coming away from home, it will be vital for Fener to establish a strong position heading into the final weeks of the season.

Roster Rundown: Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Coach T.J. Parker and his LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne charges have plenty to be excited about this season. ASVEL boasts a team that is deep and combines speed and size, strength and outside shooting, and youth and experience. Coming an impressive regular season in which the team swept eventual EuroLeague runner-up FC Barcelona, ASVEL looks to be in the playoff hunt this year.

### BACKCOURT

Coach Parker can rely on different guards to run the offense in different ways in their time on the floor. Veteran playmaker Antoine Diot is a pass-first leader who comes off a career-best season in terms of three-point shooting (42 of 80, 52.5%). Chris Jones showed off his scoring chops as a EuroLeague rookie last season with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and is hungry for a bigger role. Still a teenager, Matthew Strazel has been a part of the ASVEL rotation for two seasons already and continues to improve. He's a nuisance on defense and growing his offensive game all the time. Combo-guard Elie Okobo returns to his native France after three years in the United States and can play alongside any of the other guards in the ASVEL backcourt, making an impact at both ends of the floor. David Lighty enters his seventh season with ASVEL and was second on the team in scoring last season with 11.3 points per game. His versatility is a great weapon for Coach Parker. Veteran swingman Paul Lacombe brings confidence and maturity off the bench. The senior-most player on the team is Charles Kahudi, who at age 35 remains a physical presence, tough defender and effective shooter. Teenage prospect Kymany Houinsou will train with the senior squad, but is not expected to see many minutes this season.

### FRONTCOURT

ASVEL's frontcourt players give the team many ways to attack defenses thanks to the mix of stretch-shooters and size. William Howard (51.5%) was among the best three-point shooters in the EuroLeague last season, while Dylan Osetowski was among the leaders in the 7DAYS EuroCup. However, Osetowski did most of his damage in the paint, just like Raymar Morgan, who will debut in the EuroLeague after averaging 12.9 points in five EuroCup seasons. That trio will ensure that opposing defenses will constantly worry about ASVEL's scoring from the '4' spot. Youssoupha Fall has been a game-changer in the paint the past two seasons with fellow EuroLeague side Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz thanks to his 2.21 meters. Victor Wembanyama is already considered one of the best prospects in the game due to his combination of size speed and hard work. He will get his first taste of the EuroLeague this season. For a different look at the center position, ASVEL can turn to the high-flying Kostas Antetokounmpo, who at age 23 will make his EuroLeague debut, too.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

Dylan Osetowski was virtually unstoppable at times last season in the EuroCup with ratiopharm Ulm, where he posted eye-popping statlines on a regular basis. He simply did it all; in only 10 games, he made at least 5 two-pointers four times, had multiple threes on four occasions and knocked down 10 free throws three times – including twice without a miss. Osetowski shot 55.1% on two-pointers, 52% on threes and 85.7% from the line. He also twice dished 6 assists. The ability to take whatever opposing defenses gave him and make the most of it while only 24 years of age is just as impressive. Not a year older and surrounded by elite talents, Osetowski has a chance to climb another rung and perhaps to emerge as a EuroLeague star.

### OUTLOOK

Half of the ASVEL roster is comprised of new players and there are as many as six who could make their EuroLeague debuts, so it may take time in the beginning for the team to come together. However, the talent, hunger and depth are all there to make a lot of noise in the EuroLeague. Starting strong may be imperative, however, because ASVEL plays seven of its first 11 games at home. Even though that stretch includes games against three of last season's Final Four sides, if ASVEL can protect its home floor and build off of that, it could be a historic season in Villeurbanne.