Euroleague clubs strengthen: Okobo joins Bertāns in Dubai, Luwawu-Cabarrot to Real, Duarte to Baskonia
Several Euroleague teams have made key additions: French league MVP Okobo joins Dubai, Fenerbahce signs Clyburn, Real Madrid lands Luwawu-Cabarrot, and Baskonia replaces him with Duarte.
Dāvis Bertāns' team ''Dubai'' continues to build its roster for the upcoming season, signing French international guard Elie Okobo. The 28-year-old becomes the second Monaco player to move to Dubai, following J’eron Blossomgame. Last season, Okobo was named French league MVP, averaging 11.2 points and 4.9 assists in the Euroleague, along with 17 points and 4.5 assists in the domestic Elite league. He spent the previous four seasons with Monaco and has previously played for ASVEL, the Phoenix Suns, the Suns' G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, as well as lower-tier French clubs.
Turkish champions and Euroleague Final Four participant ''Fenerbahce'' have announced a one-year contract with American forward Will Clyburn, who played for Barcelona last season. In the Euroleague, he averaged 13.8 points and 4.2 rebounds. Clyburn has previously represented clubs such as ratiopharm Ulm, Hapoel Holon, Darussafaka, CSKA Moscow, Anadolu Efes, and Virtus Bologna. Fenerbahce have also added Trent Forrest, Shane Larkin, Brexton Key, Markus Bingham, Sertac Sanli, Igne Sargiun, and Shevon Shields this offseason.
Spanish powerhouse ''Real Madrid'' have signed Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot to a two-year deal. The French forward was the leader of Baskonia last season, posting career-best numbers of 18.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 41% from three-point range in the Euroleague. After replacing head coach Sergio Scariolo with Pedro Martinez, Real also brought in Jaime Pradilla from Valencia, making Luwawu-Cabarrot their first foreign signing. He was drafted 24th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016 and has played in the NBA, G-League, and clubs in France and Serbia.
Rodions Kurucs' team ''Baskonia'' have quickly filled the void left by Luwawu-Cabarrot, signing Dominican guard Chris Duarte to a two-year contract. Duarte was the 13th pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers. Last season, he played for Unicaja Malaga, averaging 10.9 points in the ACB league and 9.5 points in the FIBA Champions League. His season ended early due to a conflict with the head coach and management. Baskonia have also added D.J. Stewart this summer and previously expressed interest in Artūrs Žagars and Rolands Šmits. Duarte has previously played for the Pacers, Kings, Bulls, G-League teams, and in Puerto Rico.
