Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has ended the retirement he announced in late June, saying he has re-entered the organisation’s anti-doping testing pool and resumed training. “The moment I heard Donald Trump’s announcement, I started training again,” the 37-year-old wrote on social media, less than two weeks after vacating his title and declaring his career over.

Jones’ change of heart follows President Donald Trump’s 4 July pledge to stage a UFC card on the White House lawn as part of the United States’ 250th-anniversary celebrations on 4 July 2026. The outdoor show is expected to accommodate about 25,000 spectators, with the Washington Monument serving as a backdrop.

Read more

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has stated he is not interested in moving up to bantamweight to challenge Merab Dvalishvili in a champion versus champion fight following UFC 317. While Pantoja is open to the idea of fighting Dvalishvili, he does not actively seek the matchup and has expressed a preference for fights against Joshua Van, Kyoji Horiguchi, and a rematch with Manel Kape. Pantoja suggested that if the UFC were to arrange a fight with Dvalishvili, it should be contested at 130 pounds for a BMF (Baddest Mother F***er) belt, allowing him to keep his flyweight title and create a more equitable scenario. He also regards Joshua Van as his toughest potential challenger due to Van's undefeated record and lack of previous weight cuts, contrasting with Pantoja's extensive fight experience and weight management history.

Ioannis Papapetrou, the 31-year-old forward for Panathinaikos Athens, has announced his retirement from professional basketball. Papapetrou shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude towards his former teams, including Olympiacos. Over his career, he achieved notable success, including winning the EuroLeague championship in 2024, the ABA League title in 2023, six Greek League championships (2015, 2016, 2019–2021, 2024), three Greek Cup victories (2019, 2021, 2025), and the Greek Super Cup in 2021. He was also named Greek League MVP in 2021. Papapetrou's decision to retire at a relatively young age marks the end of a distinguished career in both Greek and European basketball. Prominent figures in the basketball community, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, have publicly acknowledged Papapetrou's impact as a teammate and friend.

Endeavor Group’s long-standing chief financial officer Jason Lublin is leaving the talent and sports agency after nearly two decades to become president and partner of Patrick Whitesell’s new investment vehicle, WTSL.

The Silver Lake-backed firm, launched after Endeavor’s $25 billion privatization earlier this year, has an initial $250 million commitment to invest in media, entertainment and sports ventures. Whitesell said Lublin’s record in negotiating Endeavor’s major acquisitions—IMG, UFC and WWE, among others—will support WTSL’s plan to back companies and creators shaping the industry’s next phase.

In addition to his role at WTSL, Lublin will serve as president and chief operating officer of Win Sports Group, an NFL player-representation business carved out of WME to comply with league rules. Endeavor has not yet named a successor for the CFO post.

Irish lightweight standout Shem Rock said on 20 June he has signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, moving from European promotion Oktagon MMA, where he held the lightweight title.

Rock, who fights out of Liverpool and owns a 12-1-1 professional record, did not disclose financial terms, a debut opponent or a timetable for his first UFC appearance.

Athens has officially submitted a bid to host the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four, marking a potential return to the OAKA arena for the event for the first time since 2007. The selection process remains undecided, with a competitive contest between Athens and Belgrade. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas has provided insights on several key topics affecting the league's future, including a possible expansion from 20 to 24 teams, the introduction of a new conference format, and the status of Israeli teams amid recent developments. The EuroLeague is also exploring broader growth opportunities, including talks with the NBA and the recent inclusion of Dubai for a five-year participation. Additionally, AS Monaco's General Manager Oleksiy Yefimov discussed the club's relationship with the EuroLeague and plans for a new arena. Greek Labor Minister Giannis Vroutsis expressed support for Greece hosting the Final Four, emphasizing the country's deserving status after many years.

Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has confirmed that UFC 318 was specifically organized to serve as the retirement fight for mixed martial artist Dustin Poirier. White praised Poirier for his career achievements and acknowledged that the event was built as a send-off for the fighter. Additionally, Poirier has revealed that rapper Lil Wayne is expected to accompany him for his walkout during the retirement bout, which is set to take place in New Orleans. While the arrangement with Lil Wayne is not yet finalized, Poirier indicated that his team has confirmed the rapper's participation as of now.

Boxing figures and fans on Tuesday marked the 25th anniversary of Shane “Sugar” Mosley’s victory over Oscar De La Hoya, a welterweight clash widely regarded as one of the sport’s modern classics.

Reflecting on the June 17, 2000 meeting in Los Angeles, Mosley recalled his confidence in the bout’s later stages, saying, “I figured I was going to sweep all those late rounds, and there was nothing he could do about it.” Commentators highlighted the fighters’ hand speed and fierce exchanges, describing the contest as a high-speed chess match that helped cement both men’s Hall-of-Fame legacies.

The anniversary has renewed debate among analysts about the judges’ scoring and the fight’s place in boxing history, while underscoring the era in which De La Hoya and Mosley—alongside contemporaneous sports stars such as Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant—held the attention of the Los Angeles sporting public.

FC Barcelona confirmed that American forward Justin Anderson will not return for the 2025-26 campaign. Anderson, who spent the past season with the Catalan club, is set to continue his career with EuroLeague newcomers Dubai, giving the expansion franchise an experienced perimeter scorer as it prepares for its debut in Europe’s top competition.

Separately, Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv announced it has parted ways with guard Marcus Foster. Foster played a pivotal role in Hapoel’s 2024-25 EuroCup triumph, but the two sides have mutually agreed to end their collaboration ahead of the new season.

Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track series has canceled its final meet in Los Angeles, originally scheduled for June 28-29 at UCLA's Drake Stadium, marking the conclusion of its inaugural 2025 season. The decision follows concerns about the future of the series, which held its first event only two months prior. Despite raising over $30 million in funding, the cancellation was attributed to poor economics related to the venue deal and unresolved issues with UCLA's lease, as well as ongoing discussions with potential new strategic partners. A meeting was held with athletes and their agents to discuss the series' future.

While the 2025 season has ended prematurely, the league's founder and commissioner, Michael Johnson, stated that the objectives set for the pilot season were achieved and confirmed plans for a 2026 season with new investors and partners to be announced. The league also recognized Melissa Jefferson and Kenny Bednarek as the 2025 Racers of the Year. The cancellation has highlighted challenges facing professional track and field as it seeks to establish a sustainable competitive circuit.

Anthony Joshua is expected to retire from professional boxing in 2026, with promoter Eddie Hearn indicating the former heavyweight champion likely has three fights remaining in his career. Hearn suggested that Joshua's final year in the sport could include two bouts against Tyson Fury and possibly a rematch with Daniel Dubois. This projection was shared during discussions with Ariel Helwani and Ade, highlighting the potential opponents for Joshua's concluding fights. Hearn also recently described a knockout involving Joshua as the most frightening he has witnessed.

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry has received a unique incentive from actor Adam Sandler. Sandler, who is Henry's favorite actor, has offered to cast the five-time Pro Bowl selection in one of his movies if Henry rushes for 2,000 yards during the 2025 NFL season. This offer has attracted attention as an unusual motivation for the star athlete, who is also pursuing success on the football field. The proposal highlights a crossover between sports and entertainment, with Henry potentially transitioning into Hollywood if he achieves the rushing milestone.

Fabio Wardley retained his unbeaten record and secured his 18th knockout in 19 fights with a tenth-round KO victory over Justis Huni at Portman Road Stadium, Ipswich. The bout, contested for the vacant interim WBA heavyweight title, saw Wardley fighting in front of his hometown crowd. Despite Huni, a late replacement, dominating much of the fight and outlanding Wardley—landing 159 of 342 punches, including 114 power shots, compared to Wardley's 117 of 330 and 49 power punches—Wardley delivered a right hand in the final round to secure the win. The victory positions Wardley for a potential world title shot against the winner of the upcoming Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois unification bout.

Read more

Tiago Splitter is set to return to the NBA as an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. After leading Paris Basketball to the EuroLeague Playoffs, Splitter will join the coaching staff under head coach Chauncey Billups. This move marks Splitter's transition from European basketball back to the NBA, where he will contribute to the Trail Blazers' coaching team.

EuroCup champions Hapoel Tel Aviv are reportedly preparing to make an unprecedented salary offer to NBA player Russell Westbrook, who is currently with the Denver Nuggets. The offer is described as one "never before seen in European basketball," signaling a potential move for Westbrook to join the EuroLeague next season. Multiple European basketball sources have highlighted the significance of this proposal, which could mark a notable shift for Westbrook from the NBA to European competition.

Manny Pacquiao, the former eight-division world boxing champion, is set to return to the ring on July 19 in Las Vegas at the age of 46. This comeback fight will be against 30-year-old WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Pacquiao has expressed that his return is driven by passion for boxing rather than financial reasons, emphasizing his readiness and dedication to compete at a high level despite the age difference. He is approaching the fight with an analytical strategy, aiming to secure his eighth world title.

Barrios has acknowledged the challenge, describing Pacquiao as a "living legend" and is focused on neutralizing Pacquiao's skill to win the bout. The fight will be available for viewing on Prime Video. Additionally, there are reports that the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight is scheduled for September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Marco Verde potentially fighting on the same card. In comparison to UFC champions, who average 34 years old with only one under 30, boxing features several notable champions in their twenties, highlighting the age range in the sport.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return to Paris, France, hosting its fourth event in the city on September 6, 2025. The event will take place at the Accor Arena, also known as Paris-Bercy, which has hosted the previous three UFC events in Paris. The announcement was confirmed by multiple sources including the UFC's official channels and French sports news outlet L'Équipe.

Anthony Joshua has successfully undergone surgery on an injured elbow and is expected to return to the ring later this year, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. Joshua is currently in negotiations for a multi-fight deal with Turki Al-Sheikh and Riyadh Season, which could include two to three fights. Potential opponents discussed for these comeback bouts include Tyson Fury, with a possible rematch, as well as Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson. Eddie Hearn has confirmed ongoing discussions about a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season, with Whyte and Anderson among the fighters considered. Meanwhile, a separate fight between Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney, scheduled for August 16 in Riyadh, remains uncertain following controversy surrounding Lopez's social media activity.

Fenerbahçe Beko secured their second Turkish Airlines EuroLeague basketball title by defeating AS Monaco 81-70 in the final held in Abu Dhabi. This victory marks Fenerbahçe's first EuroLeague championship in eight years and the first under coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, who has previously won four EuroLeague titles as a player. The team staged a dominant fourth-quarter performance to clinch the win. Following their triumph, Fenerbahçe was warmly celebrated in Istanbul with a victory parade featuring an open-top bus tour through the city.

The coach praised the team's effort and expressed his elation after the win. Meanwhile, AS Monaco, led by Vassilis Spanoulis, was acknowledged for their strong performance despite the loss. The championship has been met with widespread enthusiasm across Turkey, highlighting the club's historic achievement and aspirations for further European success.

Vassilis Spanoulis, the former Greek basketball legend and current coach of AS Monaco, is making a remarkable debut in the EuroLeague as he leads his team to the final against Olympiacos, his former club. Spanoulis has maintained an undefeated record in EuroLeague Final Four semifinals, winning all six appearances—five as a player (2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017) and one as a coach (2025). His opponent in the final is Sarunas Jasikevicius, a Lithuanian coach and former teammate with whom Spanoulis shared the 2009 EuroLeague championship. This final marks the first time either Spanoulis or Jasikevicius could win the EuroLeague title as both a player and a coach.

The matchup is notable for the coaches' shared history as teammates, rivals, and now adversaries in the coaching realm. Ahead of the Final Four semifinals, Spanoulis and Jasikevicius engaged in a light-hearted exchange, highlighting their longstanding relationship. Additionally, Fenerbahce player Nicolo Melli commented on the club's defensive style and the emotional challenges of balancing club and international success, reflecting on his connection with Jasikevicius. Spanoulis's rapid success as a rookie EuroLeague coach underscores his continued influence in European basketball.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has ended the retirement he announced in late June, saying he has re-entered the organisation’s anti-doping testing pool and resumed training. “The moment I heard Donald Trump’s announcement, I started training again,” the 37-year-old wrote on social media, less than two weeks after vacating his title and declaring his career over.

Jones’ change of heart follows President Donald Trump’s 4 July pledge to stage a UFC card on the White House lawn as part of the United States’ 250th-anniversary celebrations on 4 July 2026. The outdoor show is expected to accommodate about 25,000 spectators, with the Washington Monument serving as a backdrop.

Read more

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has stated he is not interested in moving up to bantamweight to challenge Merab Dvalishvili in a champion versus champion fight following UFC 317. While Pantoja is open to the idea of fighting Dvalishvili, he does not actively seek the matchup and has expressed a preference for fights against Joshua Van, Kyoji Horiguchi, and a rematch with Manel Kape. Pantoja suggested that if the UFC were to arrange a fight with Dvalishvili, it should be contested at 130 pounds for a BMF (Baddest Mother F***er) belt, allowing him to keep his flyweight title and create a more equitable scenario. He also regards Joshua Van as his toughest potential challenger due to Van's undefeated record and lack of previous weight cuts, contrasting with Pantoja's extensive fight experience and weight management history.

Ioannis Papapetrou, the 31-year-old forward for Panathinaikos Athens, has announced his retirement from professional basketball. Papapetrou shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude towards his former teams, including Olympiacos. Over his career, he achieved notable success, including winning the EuroLeague championship in 2024, the ABA League title in 2023, six Greek League championships (2015, 2016, 2019–2021, 2024), three Greek Cup victories (2019, 2021, 2025), and the Greek Super Cup in 2021. He was also named Greek League MVP in 2021. Papapetrou's decision to retire at a relatively young age marks the end of a distinguished career in both Greek and European basketball. Prominent figures in the basketball community, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, have publicly acknowledged Papapetrou's impact as a teammate and friend.

Endeavor Group’s long-standing chief financial officer Jason Lublin is leaving the talent and sports agency after nearly two decades to become president and partner of Patrick Whitesell’s new investment vehicle, WTSL.

The Silver Lake-backed firm, launched after Endeavor’s $25 billion privatization earlier this year, has an initial $250 million commitment to invest in media, entertainment and sports ventures. Whitesell said Lublin’s record in negotiating Endeavor’s major acquisitions—IMG, UFC and WWE, among others—will support WTSL’s plan to back companies and creators shaping the industry’s next phase.

In addition to his role at WTSL, Lublin will serve as president and chief operating officer of Win Sports Group, an NFL player-representation business carved out of WME to comply with league rules. Endeavor has not yet named a successor for the CFO post.

Irish lightweight standout Shem Rock said on 20 June he has signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, moving from European promotion Oktagon MMA, where he held the lightweight title.

Rock, who fights out of Liverpool and owns a 12-1-1 professional record, did not disclose financial terms, a debut opponent or a timetable for his first UFC appearance.

Athens has officially submitted a bid to host the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four, marking a potential return to the OAKA arena for the event for the first time since 2007. The selection process remains undecided, with a competitive contest between Athens and Belgrade. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas has provided insights on several key topics affecting the league's future, including a possible expansion from 20 to 24 teams, the introduction of a new conference format, and the status of Israeli teams amid recent developments. The EuroLeague is also exploring broader growth opportunities, including talks with the NBA and the recent inclusion of Dubai for a five-year participation. Additionally, AS Monaco's General Manager Oleksiy Yefimov discussed the club's relationship with the EuroLeague and plans for a new arena. Greek Labor Minister Giannis Vroutsis expressed support for Greece hosting the Final Four, emphasizing the country's deserving status after many years.

Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has confirmed that UFC 318 was specifically organized to serve as the retirement fight for mixed martial artist Dustin Poirier. White praised Poirier for his career achievements and acknowledged that the event was built as a send-off for the fighter. Additionally, Poirier has revealed that rapper Lil Wayne is expected to accompany him for his walkout during the retirement bout, which is set to take place in New Orleans. While the arrangement with Lil Wayne is not yet finalized, Poirier indicated that his team has confirmed the rapper's participation as of now.

Boxing figures and fans on Tuesday marked the 25th anniversary of Shane “Sugar” Mosley’s victory over Oscar De La Hoya, a welterweight clash widely regarded as one of the sport’s modern classics.

Reflecting on the June 17, 2000 meeting in Los Angeles, Mosley recalled his confidence in the bout’s later stages, saying, “I figured I was going to sweep all those late rounds, and there was nothing he could do about it.” Commentators highlighted the fighters’ hand speed and fierce exchanges, describing the contest as a high-speed chess match that helped cement both men’s Hall-of-Fame legacies.

The anniversary has renewed debate among analysts about the judges’ scoring and the fight’s place in boxing history, while underscoring the era in which De La Hoya and Mosley—alongside contemporaneous sports stars such as Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant—held the attention of the Los Angeles sporting public.

FC Barcelona confirmed that American forward Justin Anderson will not return for the 2025-26 campaign. Anderson, who spent the past season with the Catalan club, is set to continue his career with EuroLeague newcomers Dubai, giving the expansion franchise an experienced perimeter scorer as it prepares for its debut in Europe’s top competition.

Separately, Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv announced it has parted ways with guard Marcus Foster. Foster played a pivotal role in Hapoel’s 2024-25 EuroCup triumph, but the two sides have mutually agreed to end their collaboration ahead of the new season.

Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track series has canceled its final meet in Los Angeles, originally scheduled for June 28-29 at UCLA's Drake Stadium, marking the conclusion of its inaugural 2025 season. The decision follows concerns about the future of the series, which held its first event only two months prior. Despite raising over $30 million in funding, the cancellation was attributed to poor economics related to the venue deal and unresolved issues with UCLA's lease, as well as ongoing discussions with potential new strategic partners. A meeting was held with athletes and their agents to discuss the series' future.

While the 2025 season has ended prematurely, the league's founder and commissioner, Michael Johnson, stated that the objectives set for the pilot season were achieved and confirmed plans for a 2026 season with new investors and partners to be announced. The league also recognized Melissa Jefferson and Kenny Bednarek as the 2025 Racers of the Year. The cancellation has highlighted challenges facing professional track and field as it seeks to establish a sustainable competitive circuit.

Anthony Joshua is expected to retire from professional boxing in 2026, with promoter Eddie Hearn indicating the former heavyweight champion likely has three fights remaining in his career. Hearn suggested that Joshua's final year in the sport could include two bouts against Tyson Fury and possibly a rematch with Daniel Dubois. This projection was shared during discussions with Ariel Helwani and Ade, highlighting the potential opponents for Joshua's concluding fights. Hearn also recently described a knockout involving Joshua as the most frightening he has witnessed.

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry has received a unique incentive from actor Adam Sandler. Sandler, who is Henry's favorite actor, has offered to cast the five-time Pro Bowl selection in one of his movies if Henry rushes for 2,000 yards during the 2025 NFL season. This offer has attracted attention as an unusual motivation for the star athlete, who is also pursuing success on the football field. The proposal highlights a crossover between sports and entertainment, with Henry potentially transitioning into Hollywood if he achieves the rushing milestone.

Fabio Wardley retained his unbeaten record and secured his 18th knockout in 19 fights with a tenth-round KO victory over Justis Huni at Portman Road Stadium, Ipswich. The bout, contested for the vacant interim WBA heavyweight title, saw Wardley fighting in front of his hometown crowd. Despite Huni, a late replacement, dominating much of the fight and outlanding Wardley—landing 159 of 342 punches, including 114 power shots, compared to Wardley's 117 of 330 and 49 power punches—Wardley delivered a right hand in the final round to secure the win. The victory positions Wardley for a potential world title shot against the winner of the upcoming Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois unification bout.

Read more

Tiago Splitter is set to return to the NBA as an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. After leading Paris Basketball to the EuroLeague Playoffs, Splitter will join the coaching staff under head coach Chauncey Billups. This move marks Splitter's transition from European basketball back to the NBA, where he will contribute to the Trail Blazers' coaching team.

EuroCup champions Hapoel Tel Aviv are reportedly preparing to make an unprecedented salary offer to NBA player Russell Westbrook, who is currently with the Denver Nuggets. The offer is described as one "never before seen in European basketball," signaling a potential move for Westbrook to join the EuroLeague next season. Multiple European basketball sources have highlighted the significance of this proposal, which could mark a notable shift for Westbrook from the NBA to European competition.

Manny Pacquiao, the former eight-division world boxing champion, is set to return to the ring on July 19 in Las Vegas at the age of 46. This comeback fight will be against 30-year-old WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Pacquiao has expressed that his return is driven by passion for boxing rather than financial reasons, emphasizing his readiness and dedication to compete at a high level despite the age difference. He is approaching the fight with an analytical strategy, aiming to secure his eighth world title.

Barrios has acknowledged the challenge, describing Pacquiao as a "living legend" and is focused on neutralizing Pacquiao's skill to win the bout. The fight will be available for viewing on Prime Video. Additionally, there are reports that the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight is scheduled for September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Marco Verde potentially fighting on the same card. In comparison to UFC champions, who average 34 years old with only one under 30, boxing features several notable champions in their twenties, highlighting the age range in the sport.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return to Paris, France, hosting its fourth event in the city on September 6, 2025. The event will take place at the Accor Arena, also known as Paris-Bercy, which has hosted the previous three UFC events in Paris. The announcement was confirmed by multiple sources including the UFC's official channels and French sports news outlet L'Équipe.

Anthony Joshua has successfully undergone surgery on an injured elbow and is expected to return to the ring later this year, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. Joshua is currently in negotiations for a multi-fight deal with Turki Al-Sheikh and Riyadh Season, which could include two to three fights. Potential opponents discussed for these comeback bouts include Tyson Fury, with a possible rematch, as well as Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson. Eddie Hearn has confirmed ongoing discussions about a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season, with Whyte and Anderson among the fighters considered. Meanwhile, a separate fight between Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney, scheduled for August 16 in Riyadh, remains uncertain following controversy surrounding Lopez's social media activity.

Fenerbahçe Beko secured their second Turkish Airlines EuroLeague basketball title by defeating AS Monaco 81-70 in the final held in Abu Dhabi. This victory marks Fenerbahçe's first EuroLeague championship in eight years and the first under coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, who has previously won four EuroLeague titles as a player. The team staged a dominant fourth-quarter performance to clinch the win. Following their triumph, Fenerbahçe was warmly celebrated in Istanbul with a victory parade featuring an open-top bus tour through the city.

The coach praised the team's effort and expressed his elation after the win. Meanwhile, AS Monaco, led by Vassilis Spanoulis, was acknowledged for their strong performance despite the loss. The championship has been met with widespread enthusiasm across Turkey, highlighting the club's historic achievement and aspirations for further European success.

Vassilis Spanoulis, the former Greek basketball legend and current coach of AS Monaco, is making a remarkable debut in the EuroLeague as he leads his team to the final against Olympiacos, his former club. Spanoulis has maintained an undefeated record in EuroLeague Final Four semifinals, winning all six appearances—five as a player (2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017) and one as a coach (2025). His opponent in the final is Sarunas Jasikevicius, a Lithuanian coach and former teammate with whom Spanoulis shared the 2009 EuroLeague championship. This final marks the first time either Spanoulis or Jasikevicius could win the EuroLeague title as both a player and a coach.

The matchup is notable for the coaches' shared history as teammates, rivals, and now adversaries in the coaching realm. Ahead of the Final Four semifinals, Spanoulis and Jasikevicius engaged in a light-hearted exchange, highlighting their longstanding relationship. Additionally, Fenerbahce player Nicolo Melli commented on the club's defensive style and the emotional challenges of balancing club and international success, reflecting on his connection with Jasikevicius. Spanoulis's rapid success as a rookie EuroLeague coach underscores his continued influence in European basketball.