10 biggest EuroCup transfers of the summer / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Scanpix Baltics, BNS, FIBA | BasketNews illustration/E.Alšauskas Credit Scanpix Baltics, BNS, FIBA | BasketNews illustration/E.Alšauskas

It has been a busy EuroCup off-season so far. Virtus Bologna and Partizan Belgrade shook the market several times and challenged each other by adding famous basketball names. However, other teams didn't stay idle either, making significant moves ahead of what's shaping to be one of the most exciting EuroCup season.

BasketNews ranked the most thrilling transfers in Europe's second strongest basketball league.

Jordan McRae -Boulogne Metropolitans 92

McRae transferred to Boulogne from China, Beijing Ducks. Last season guard/forward was able to play only in 5 CBA games and posted 11.2 points.

The 1.96-meter American was selected with the 58th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. In the NBA, he represented the Phoenix Suns (2016), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016-17), the Washington Wizards (2018-20), the DenverNuggets (2020), and the Detroit Pistons (2020). In 2016, McRae became NBA champion with the Cavaliers. His career averages in the strongest basketball league are 6.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 123 contests.

The 30-year-old is no stranger to European basketball, as he had a short stint with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2017-18).

Jordan McRae could be a serious scoring threat and a go-to guy during clutch moments. He has already proved that in pre-season friendlies.

Jonathan Motley - Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar

The 26-year-old arrived at Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar from Inchon ET Land Elephants, where he averaged 20.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 blocks in 24 South Korean League games last season. While at Baylor University, Motley received Karl Malone Award as the country's best college power forward. Also, the 2.03-meter big man spent three seasons in the NBA, where he played for the Mavericks (11 games), the Clippers (35 games), and their affiliates in the G League.

"Motley is a versatile player who can play both under the basket and at a distance. He will add variability in terms of the combination of players on the court. I am sure that he will become one of the discoveries of the competition," said Andrey Vedishchev, president of Lokomotiv.

The main question regarding his adaptation to European basketball remains unanswered. But Motley definitely has a potential to blossom in the EuroCup and maybe even pop on the radar of some of the EuroLeague teams.

Vince Hunter - Boulogne Metropolitans 92

Metropolitans 92 took advantage of a controversial situation, which saw Hunter getting a contract extension and contract termination within few weeks, and landed an experienced player on a one-year deal. Last season in the EuroCup, Hunter averaged 9.8 points (63% 2PT, 60% 3PT), a team-high 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in just 16.6 minutes of game time (21 contests). The big man was named the EuroCup Top 16 MVP and selected to the All-EuroCup Second Team.

New Metropolitans 92 head coach, Vincent Collet, likes athletes with a fighting spirit who spare neither themselves nor their rivals (Kahudi, Albicy, Yabusele), so Hunter could be a great reinforcement to Collet's system.

Victor Claver - Valencia Basket

Valencia's pride, Victor Claver, returned where he belongs to. He signed a three-year deal and will compete for his hometown powerhouse.

Last season with FC Barcelona Claver became champion of the Endesa League and the Copa del Rey. He also participated in the EuroLeague Final Four, where his team lost in the final. Claver averaged 2.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 15 EuroLeague contests.

During his introductory press conference, the two-time EuroCup champion (2010, 2015) and long-time Spanish national team player seemed to be motivated to make a final splash in his career: "I want to help this new project meet its objectives. That is my motivation. And also want to be an example for young players. Valencia Basket has always been my team. Since I left, it has always been a priority to be able to return home, and I am very happy to be here again."

There is no doubt that the 33-year-old will be a key part of the squad and should produce a solid season in the EuroCup.

Kevin Hervey - Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Hervey had an impressive EuroCup debut last season. The 57th pick of the 2018 NBA Draft played for Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar and averaged 12.3 points, 7.1 rebounds (3rd in the tournament), 1.1 assists, and 1.9 steals over 27 minutes.

"As far as Kevin is concerned, we had the idea of improving in the fourth position, maintaining quality, and adding physicality. Hervey was first on our list," said Virtus GM about his new power forward.

"This club won the title last year, now we are here, and I see why this club won, I can feel it. I can see that it is a club of champions. I'm happy to be part of it."

Kevin Hervey's interior scoring, great face-up game, reliable 3-point shooting, and scoring off the dribble will come in handy for coach Sergio Scariolo. Moreover, the 2.07-meter versatile big man will have fun in the pick and rolls, joining Milos Teodosic and Co.

DJ Seeley - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica

Seeley was an important player for EuroLeague sensation FC Bayern as he averaged 8.1 points (51.5% from deep) and 2.2 assists per game. In Game 1 of the playoffs matchup against AX Armani Exchange Milan, Seeley scored 23 points (100% from three), grabbed 6 rebounds, and collected 32 EFF (career record).

Seely is no stranger to changing places, as Buducnost VOLI Podgorica will be the 11th team of his career. And this will be the 31-year-old's fifth season in the EuroCup with the fifth different team.

Errick McCollum - Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar

McCollum left the sinking ship of the Khimki Moscow Region but still stayed in Russia for at least another year. Evgeny Pashutin's team should be a perfect fit for the veteran guard as Lokomotiv plays free-flow basketball with much improvisation.

Errick's resume screams success: he is EuroCup champion and MVP (2016), tournament's fourth all-time scorer with 1,222 points, has career averages of 17.0 points and 3.0 assists in 72 games. Last season in the EuroLeague, he averaged 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

The 33-year-old will form a dynamic duo with another Krasnodar's newcomer, Darius Thompson. These players will be pushed to their limits next season as Lokomotiv lack depth in the guard line.

Zach LeDay - Partizan NIS Belgrade

Zach LeDay was one of the loudest Partizan acquisitions this summer. He was coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius, Ettore Messina, and now he is under Obradovic's guidance. Name a better head coaching sequence for someone to improve basketball IQ and understanding of a game.

Last season the American big man played 36 EuroLeague games and averaged 10 points (46.6% from deep, 9th in the EuroLeague) and a team-high 4.5 rebounds. It's hard to forget his buzzer-beating game-winner against FC Bayern Munich in EuroLeague playoffs.

LeDay's offensive versatility, pick and rolls, pick and pops, and low post moves, will provide more tools for Obradovic's attacking schemes. On top of that, the 27-year-old already has a strong connection with Kevin Punter.

Zach LeDay is a perfect big man in modern basketball with great energy on both ends of the floor and an elite competitor's character. He is the kind of player any EuroLeague team would love to have, but it seems that the €6 million budget EuroCup club has done its homework better…

Nico Mannion - Virtus Segafredo Bologna

From the Golden State Warriors to Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Some people would call it a big step back, but for Nico Mannion, it is a better environment to show his full potential and skill set. Three-time NBA champion Draymond Green certainly agrees that it's the right move.

"The terrible side of this business is that none of these "handlers" will show this to a kid and discuss how great of a move this is by Nico," Green wrote in social media. "Quite frankly, because these kids listen to people that ain't done shit and don't know shit."

Nico's father reiterated that Golden State Warriors' offer wasn't satisfying enough and didn't provide his son with future guarantees. "Nico did the right move when he decided to sign with Virtus, there he'll find the right environment for his growth. He'll work with Sergio Scariolo, one of the best coaches in the world," said Pace Mannion in an interview.

This summer, Mannion had a coming-out party at Tokyo Olympics, where he was second in scoring (12.5 PPG) on the Italian national team and led the team with 4.5 assists per game. He helped Italy reach the quarterfinals.

"Nico has been one of the most important targets, and the negotiations to bring him to play at the Segafredo Arena have been going on for several weeks," said Bologna CEO, Luca Baraldi.

Kevin Punter - Partizan NIS Belgrade

Perhaps the greatest move of the summer once again involved Partizan Belgrade and AX Armani Exchange Milan. Besides being a legendary coach, Zeljko Obradovic appears to be one helluva recruiter too.

"It made me wanna come even more because he's serious, he believes in me a lot, he knows what I can do to help the team to be successful. Once you get a call from a coach of that stature, it's like 'Alright, we can really do this'," Punter said.

Last season Punter was Milan's leading scorer with 14.3 PPG and ranked 11th in the entire EuroLeague. He did so with high shooting efficiency too. In fact, the 1.93-meter guard was knocking on the elite 50-40-90 club door. Punter shot 50.7 % on twos, 39.2 percent on threes, and 89.4 percent on free throws. His stellar play helped AX Armani Exchange reach the Final Four and secure third place in Europe's top competition.

The 28-year-old is also familiar with the country. He has Serbian citizenship and has played for Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade in the 2019-20 season. That should only help him to shine brightest at the EuroCup during the upcoming season.

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