Luis Scola, one of the most respected and acclaimed basketball players in the 21st century, has retired at the age of 41, finishing a professional career that spanned more than two decades. Scola was one of the first EuroLeague superstars when the competition started in 2000. He helped Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz reach three consecutive EuroLeague Final Fours from 2005 to 2007, making it to the championship game in 2005. Scola reached another EuroLeague Finals with Baskonia in 2001, losing against Kinder Bologna on a memorable five-game playoffs series.

"It wasn't really difficult to stop playing because I think it was a natural choice for me," Scola said on Wednesday in a press conference announcing his new role as CEO for Pallacanestro Varese of Italy. "My body was not reacting the same way and each month was worse than the previous one, and I had to do more things to play at the level I like. This is why it was a natural choice for me to stop playing. I feel quiet about not playing anymore because it was difficult. When it came to games and competing, it was not a problem, but going day by day, every week, was difficult."

Scola was chosen to the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2006 and 007, making it to the All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2005. He was also elected as MVP of the Month in December 2006. He returned to the EuroLeague in the 2019-20 campaign to play for AX Armani Exchange Milan. Scola was briefly the EuroLeague's all-time top scorer, and was the first player to reach 2,000 points in the competition. In 172 EuroLeague career games with Baskonia and Milan, he averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds. Scola also played for Ferrocarril Oeste of his native Argentina, Gijon Baloncesto of Spain, Houston, Phoenix, Indiana, Toronto, Brooklyn of the NBA, as well as for Shanxi Brave Dragons and Shanghai Sharks of China before joining Pallacanestro Varese, where he played his final season and will continue linked to basketball as the club's CEO.

He holds the record for most appearances with the Argentinean national team, 169. Scola helped his national team win as many as 16 medals in senior tournaments. He took part in five Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in Athens 2004 and a bronze at Beijing 2008. Scola also led Argentina to respective World Cup medals in 2002 and 2019. He helped his national team win four other gold medals at the 2001 and 2011 FIBA Americas tournaments, the 2019 Panamerican Games, and the 2008 FIBA Diamond Ball. He has retired as the second top scorer in World Cup action, 611 points, trailing only Oscar Schmidt (906) of Brazil. Scola ranks fourth in scoring in the Olympic Men's Basketball Tournament (591 points). Only Schmidt (1,093 points), Andrew Gaze (789) and Pau Gasol (649) are ahead of him.

"I haven't stopped playing. In fact, I am playing with the team this season... just kidding!" Scola joked on Wednesday. "I practice every day. I like practicing and surely, at some point, I will play basketball with my kids, the junior team or the first team some day if a player is injured, and I will do it because I like it. I am a basketball player and this is my passion. I cannot do it more at the professional level but you can always play basketball."

EuroLeague great Scola retires

Two of the most prolific scorers in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Kevin Punter of AX Armani Exchange Milan and Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, go head-to-head in the fashion capital in their respective regular-season finales on Friday night.

The stakes are high for Punter and Milan, which would secure home-court advantage for the playoffs with a victory, while Larkin and Efes would love to carry their current momentum into the quarterfinals stage. Efes has won 11 of its last 12 games and Larkin is coming off a season-high 30 points in an overtime win at TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Larkin's scoring performance last week capped a recent streak of 16 consecutive games in which he scored more than 10 points. That has moved him into eighth place in scoring this season with 15.4 points per game. Punter is not far below, in 11th place with 14.9 points per game.

Punter has one more appearance this season than Larkin and has attempted 17 more field goals over the course of the season than Larkin. Punter has also made them with slightly better percentages, taking more two-point shots than threes this season. Meanwhile, Larkin has launched 174 triples - or 6.4 per game. which is the fifth-most in the league.

Both players have made at least 50% of their twos and knocked down better than 40% of their long-range shots this season, with Larkin's 73 three-pointers made at 42.0% standing out.

Larkin has also been more involved in other aspects of the game on both ends of the floor. Averaging 28:31 minutes in his 27 appearances, mostly off the bench, Larkin is averaging 4.3 assists and 2.4 rebounds. He also ranks fifth this season with 1.4 steals per game.

On the other hand, Punter has spent just under 26 minutes per game on the court, starting in all but one of his 28 games. While serving as Milan's top scorer, he also contributes with 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

When it comes to their three head-to-head meetings dating back to last season, those numbers turn out to be pretty even. However, it was either one or the other player shining in those games.

In Round 15 this season, Punter scored 18 points on 4-for-4 three-point shooting in leading Milan to 69-72 road win. Larkin scored just 4 points in that game, tied for his season-low, missing his only two-point attempt and making 1 of 2 three-pointers in 15 minutes on the floor.

Last season, however, things were different. They first met when Punter was with Olympiacos Piraeus, and he scored 8 points on 1-for-6 three-point shooting. Efes won that game on the road by 19 points behind Larkin's 24 points on 7-for-8 field goal shooting plus 6 rebounds and 3 assists. The two players squared off again after Punter joined Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade. Punter battled foul trouble to score 12 points in 15 minutes in that contest, while Larkin had 24 points on 5-for-9 shooting from long range in another Efes victory.

With their ability to take over games, all eyes will be on Punter and Larkin as the outcome of their game will significantly shape the final playoff picture.

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TEST: Head-to-head: Kevin Punter vs. Shane Larkin

AX Armani Exchange Milan v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2021-04-09T18:45:00.000Z)

After winning the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last season for the first time, the task at hand for Anadolu Efes Istanbul management was a simple one: keep the band together for another run at the crown. Only one significant contributor got away and he was replaced by a rising star, ensuring that Coach Ergin Ataman has what he needs to work his magic again.

### BACKCOURT

The pairing of EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic and Shane Larkin has sparked debate already as to its place among the best backcourts in EuroLeague history. Defenses are at a loss when looking at the two who can each light it up from downtown, drive to the basket and set up their teammates. The instant offense of Rodrigue Beaubois adds another wrinkle and ensures that there is always world-class firepower among the Efes guards. When defense is needed, Dogus Balbay is called on. A physical presence, Balbay is an energetic ballhawk who frustrates opponents. After making his EuroLeague debut last season, point guard Erten Gazi will try to carve out a larger role off the bench. At age 36, swingman Krunoslav Simon is still going strong. Simon is the consummate team player and a perfect part in Coach Ataman's system because he finds the right spacing, makes his shots, moves the ball well and never gets flustered. The always dependable James Anderson thrives in his role as a joker off the bench who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. Bugrahan Tuncer provides the team with an extra shooting weapon off the bench.

### FRONTCOURT

Chris Singleton proved once again last season that he is a man for big moments by exploding for 26 points and 8 rebounds in Game 5 of the playoffs against Real Madrid. However, when he plays a smaller role, Singleton is still of great importance thanks to his defense, ability to stretch the floor and his experience. Rugged power forward Adrien Moerman is a tough rebounder and a superb shooter. Do-it-all big man Filip Petrusev was the ABA League MVP last season and is the only significant addition the champs made this summer. Dangerous facing the basket or with his back to it, Petrusev has a complete offensive arsenal and will be a threat at either frontcourt spot. They are joined by Yigitcan Saybir who appeared in only two EuroLeague games last season and at age 22 could be in for a larger role. Tolga Gecim rounds out a deep selection of options for Ataman at the '4' spot. Efes also has two veteran natural centers with very different games. While all-time shots-blocked leader Bryant Dunston is smaller and relies on athleticism on both ends, Tibor Pleiss stands 2.21 meters and uses his length to intimidate on defense and sink shots on offense.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

If there is a question mark on the reigning champs' roster, it revolves around Filip Petrusev, whose talent is simply unquestioned. Even though he turned 21 late in the season, Petrusev led the ABA League in scoring and performance index rating, was second in rebounds and third in blocks. He likely won’t be the top dog at Efes, but Petrusev came to win and improve his game by playing with champs. How quickly he develops chemistry with the likes of Micic, Larkin and co. will determine how much impact Petrusev has and how quickly. When they have it all figured out, Petrusev will be a player to watch.

### OUTLOOK

The schedule-makers didn't do Efes any favors as it starts the season with three of its first four games on the road and will play two Final Four teams in that span. There is little reason to fear a slow start for Efes, as it brings back nearly the entirety of last season's champion roster, but a rocky start could change things. However, all signs point to Efes making a run at its third straight Final Four and as it tries to become the first team to successfully defend the EuroLeague crown since 2013.

Roster rundown: Anadolu Efes Istanbul

A lot of elite perimeter talents switched Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams this summer. Whether they are trusted floor generals, deadly sharpshooters, do-it-all swingmen or versatile forwards, these players on different EuroLeague teams could make all the difference this season. The list is long, but here are 10 of the best signings of perimeter players this summer.

### Wade Baldwin IV, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Simply put, Wade Baldwin IV was one of the most improved players in the competition last season as he led FC Bayern Munich to the EuroLeague Playoffs. A physical playmaker with outstanding quickness and great energy, Baldwin led Bayern in scoring (15.3 ppg.) and assists (4.0 apg.) while playing all 39 games. His character and aggressiveness match Baskonia and Coach Dusko Ivanovic's mentality, so Baldwin is in the right environment to keep growing as a player and become a EuroLeague superstar.

### Lorenzo Brown, UNICS Kazan

This will be Lorenzo Brown's third consecutive EuroLeague campaign with as many different teams. In his first season in the competition, Brown posted strong numbers (12.3 ppg., 3.3 rpg., 4.6 apg., 1.1 spg.) while playing a leading role for Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade. Last season, Brown had a different role for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, mostly coming off the bench, but he still averaged 9.5 points and 3.5 assists. Brown is expected to be UNICS Kazan's floor general and to lead the team forward with his experience.

### Marius Grigonis, CSKA Moscow

CSKA Moscow wanted more firepower and found the right fit in Marius Grigonis, one of the most efficient shooters in the competition. Grigonis made 45.6% of his shots from downtown and 94.4% of his free throw attempts in the 2020-21 EuroLeague for Zalgiris Kaunas. Grigonis won a couple of games - against FC Bayern Munich and Valencia Basket - with last-second shots, too. His 13.4 points per game ranked him 19th in the 2020-21 EuroLeague scoring list.

### Pierria Henry, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

In his two seasons with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Pierria Henry went from being a 7DAYS EuroCup star to one of the best end-to-end point guards in the EuroLeague. Henry led the 2020-21 EuroLeague in steals (1.7 spg.) and ranked third in assists (7.3 apg.), which says plenty about his impact at both ends of the floor. He likes to play with high rhythm and to find the open man in transition. His connection with Nando De Colo and Jan Vesely should be one of the keys for Fenerbahce to having a great season.

### Thomas Heurtel, Real Madrid

Thomas Heurtel is a modern playmaker, who is not afraid to pull the trigger from downtown, but is also an elite pick-and-roll player due to his outstanding passing skills. He ranks fifth on the EuroLeague's all-time assists list (1,216) and has the third-best average (5.4 apg.) in competition history. At age 32, Heurtel is at the prime of his career and ready to play a big role for Real. Being surrounded by great scorers at every position will only benefit him.

### Darrun Hilliard, FC Bayern Munich

FC Bayern Munich needed an experienced scorer and found one in Darrun Hilliard, who is set to start his fourth EuroLeague season. Hilliard is a great one-on-one player who brings a lot of energy and great determination. He had a very different role with CSKA Moscow the last two seasons, where he changed games with his three-point shooting and intensity. In Munich, Hilliard is expected to play a leading role as one of Bayern's main backcourt threats. At age 28, Hilliard is right at the prime of his career and ready to prove it.

### Nikola Kalinic, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

This was one of the most celebrated comebacks of the off-season. Nikola Kalinic played for Zvezda in the 2014-15 season and helped it win three domestic titles. Right after that, Kalinic signed for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and reached four consecutive Final Fours, including winning the EuroLeague title in 2017. He went on to play for Valencia Basket and earned EuroLeague MVP of the Month honors in February 2020. Kalinic looks eager to play a leading role for Zvezda.

### Jordan Loyd, Zenit St Petersburg

Jordan Loyd comes off a career-defining season in which he showed what a great scorer he is. Loyd ranked third in scoring (17.3 ppg.) last season as Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade's go-to guy. He also averaged 3.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals. A good defensive player, Loyd is a perfect fit for Coach Xavi Pascual's system. Expect Loyd to have the ball in his hands whenever the game is on the line.

### James Nunnally, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Experience matters and James Nunnally has plenty of EuroLeague know-how; he helped Fenerbahce Istanbul win the competition in 2017. Nunnally is an elite three-point shooter (48.5% career 3FG) who also uses his quickness to attack the rim and his high basketball IQ to find easy baskets off screens, particularly close to the baseline. Nunnally plays hard on defense and is reliable from the free-throw line (90.8% career FT), which makes him likely to emerge as one of Maccabi's most important players.

### Thomas Walkup, Olympiacos Piraeus

Last season, Thomas Walkup was surely noticed by Olympiacos Piraeus when playing for his former club, Zalgiris Kaunas. Walkup got a critical steal and the go-ahead, last-second basket in an 81-79 home win against the Reds. He brings his versatility, on-the-ball defense and court sense to a backcourt that already includes EuroLeague great Kostas Sloukas. Walkup averaged 8.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 34 games last season. He is the epitome of an all-around performer.

EuroLeague signings: Perimeter players

Last season Real Madrid missed the EuroLeague Final Four for the first time since 2016, but its fans were proud of the team's fighting spirit in what was an injury-plagued season. Real hopes to stay healthy this season and fight for a ticket to Berlin 2022.

### BACKCOURT

Real added depth and talent at point guard by bringing in Nigel Williams-Goss and Thomas Heurtel. Williams-Goss is an electric combo guard who can score in many ways due to his one-on-one skills, unlimited shooting range and great ability to read the game. Heurtel is a pass-first playmaker who can also pull the trigger from downtown. With so much talent around him, Heurtel should play a critical role in putting the ball in the right place. New team captain Sergio Llull has a high basketball IQ and can change any game with his energy and trademark crazy shots. Rudy Fernandez, one of the best defensive players in Europe, is also back to help in many ways. Llull and Fernandez's experience is vital for Coach Pablo Laso. Real has even more options at point guard with Carlos Alocen, a physical playmaker with great court sense, and up-and-coming talent Juan Nuñez. Adam Hanga can also play point guard and is also an elite defender and an experienced perimeter player with size and athleticism. Fabien Causeur adds poise, driving skills and deep shooting range to a deep, interesting backcourt.

### FRONTCOURT

Los Blancos also have a physical, strong frontcourt to balance the team. Walter Tavares has been chosen as the EuroLeague's Best Defender twice. He can change games with his blocked shots and intimidation and has also become an effective scorer with his jump hooks, floaters and, of course, finishes above the rim. Vincent Poirier is a similar player, a force of nature who rebounds well at both ends, blocks shots and scores in many ways around the basket and from mid-range. Fernandez, Alberto Abalde and Jeffery Taylor are set to share minutes at the small forward position. Abalde is a versatile player with great character, good driving skills and a clutch mentality. Taylor remains one of the best on-the-ball defensive players in the competition and is also an occasional three-point shooter with a team-first mindset. With Anthony Randolph still sidelined, Trey Thompkins and Guerschon Yabusele should see most of the playing time at the '4' position, with teenage stretch forward Tristan Vukcevic helping out. Yabusele is an all-around forward with range, size and post skills. Thompkins is an elite three-point shooter and a good rebounder who battles hard at both ends.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

Walter Tavares is Real's undeniable leader and the biggest difference-maker in his team. He is entering his fifth EuroLeague campaign, all of them with Real. In the previous four, Tavares ranks first in blocked shots at 224, with Bryant Dunston of Anadolu Efes Istanbul a distant second at 137. He is also first in rebounds (854), eighth in PIR (1,820) and second in two-point shooting percentage (69.3% 2FG) over the last four years. Tavares won the EuroLeague title with Real in 2018, was chosen to the All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2019 and to the All-EuroLeague First Team last season. Slowly but steadily, Tavares keeps improving and he should be a EuroLeague MVP candidate in the coming season.

### OUTLOOK

First and foremost, Real needs to stay healthy. Last season, only two players managed to take part in all 39 EuroLeague games. Coach Laso has one of the deepest teams in the competition, with multiple players at every position. Real has managed to put together a younger, more athletic, more versatile roster while keeping the core of players, featuring Llull, Fernandez, Thompkins, Taylor, Randolph and Causeur, that has been together for many years and won every possible title. Expect Real to bounce back, as it has all it takes to challenge for the EuroLeague title: a great coach, an incredible roster and, of course, the pride that comes with being the winningest team in continental basketball.

Roster rundown: Real Madrid

Giampaolo Ricci, a newcomer to the AX Armani Exchange Milan, takes a tour of his team’s Media Day in preparation for the start of the season on September 30 with a home game against CSKA Moscow in a replay of their third-place game at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four last spring.

Media Day Vlog, Giampaolo Ricci, Milan

UNICS Kazan bolstered its frontcourt by inking power forward Jarrell Brantley to a one-year deal, the club announced Monday. Brantley (2.01 meters, 25 years old) arrives from Utah of the NBA, where he averagecd 2.2 points in 30 games last season. He has also played for Salt Lake City of the G League. Before that, Brantley played for College of Charleston, averaging 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds in 33 NCAA games in the 2018-19 season. He is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with UNICS in the upcoming 2021-22 season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ru" dir="ltr">🔥Джаррелл Брэнтли в УНИКСе!<br> <br>УНИКС заключил соглашение до конца сезона-2021/22 с 25-летним американским форвардом <a href="https://twitter.com/jstuntbrantley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jstuntbrantley</a> (201 см, 113 кг). <a href="https://t.co/GAcnzqutz5">pic.twitter.com/GAcnzqutz5</a></p>&mdash; BC UNICS Kazan (@unicsbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/unicsbasket/status/1439950842187104265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

UNICS adds size with Brantley

It was an unusually busy summer market for the tallest men on Turkish Airlines EuroLeague courts, with some big players with big names changing teams in attempts to alter the balance of power in the paint. Here are some of the major centers and power forwards who will be wearing new EuroLeague jerseys this season.

### Devin Booker, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Despite having an injury-troubled season, Devin Booker posted great numbers with Khimki Moscow Region. He shot the ball well from all distances (58.7% 2FG, 37.5% 3FG) and averaged 13.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 15 EuroLeague games. Booker is a great athlete who often finishes above the rim as well as a great offensive rebounder (2.1 orpg. last season). He is set to start his fourth EuroLeague season and is used to playing with a lot of talented players around him. He looks like a great fit for Fenerbahce.

### Moustapha Fall, Olympiacos Piraeus

His combination of size, quick hands and determination is rarely seen at any level. Moustapha Fall shocked fans and experts alike in his first EuroLeague season with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Fall ended up averaging 8.8 points on 70.1% two-point shooting (fifth overall), 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He has learned to use his size in the paint to generate advantages, not just for him, but also for his brand new Olympiacos Piraeus teammates.

### Othello Hunter, FC Bayern Munich

FC Bayern Munich needed size and experience in the paint and found the perfect player in Othello Hunter, who is still going strong at age 35. Hunter posted good numbers for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in his eighth EuroLeague season with 8.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 27 games. Hunter was third in offensive rebounds (2.4 per game), only trailing Nikola Milutinov and Edy Tavares. A EuroLeague champion with CSKA Moscow in 2019, Hunter has the know-how and intensity required to lead Bayern's frontcourt.

### Tonye Jekiri, UNICS Kazan

Tonye Jekiri has established himself as a formidable force in the paint over the past two seasons with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, which led to UNICS Kazan signing him as a frontcourt anchor. He has been a top-five rebounder over the past two seasons both in accumulated boards (350) and by minute (11.6 per 40 minutes) and has averaged a double-double every seven games. He should remain among the league’s best rebounders in his first season with UNICS.

### Jordan Mickey, Zenit St Petersburg

Even though Khimki Moscow Region did not have its best season, Jordan Mickey stood tall as the team's silent leader. He averaged 15.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and was third in the league with 1.5 blocks per game in 28 EuroLeague appearances last season. Mickey runs the floor well for a center and arrives in Zenit St Petersburg with three years of EuroLeague experience. Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual puts defense first and, in that sense, Mickey is an excellent fit.

### Dinos Mitoglou, AX Armani Exchange Milan

Getting out of your comfort zone is often key to improving as a player and Dinos Mitoglou knows that better than most. Mitoglou played three years of college basketball at Wake Forest University before joining Panathinaikos OPAP Athens in 2017. He comes off a breakout season in which he averaged 9.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in 34 EuroLeague games. Mitoglou, who was the ninth-best per-minute rebounder (10.7 per 40 minutes) in the 2020-21 EuroLeague, joins AX Armani Exchange Milan to keep growing in a new environment.

### Achille Polonara, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

No other player showed more improvement than power forward Achille Polonara last season. In 2019-20, Polonara averaged 3.1 points on 22.5% three-point shooting and 2.8 rebounds in 27 EuroLeague games with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. A year later, Polonara was worth 12.2 points on 44.3% three-point shooting, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and a PIR of 16.5. That's almost four times his 2019-20 PIR average, 4.2. Fully established as a EuroLeague star, Polonara will look to carve out a similar role with Fenerbahce.

### Jalen Reynolds, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Jalen Reynolds already played for Maccabi late in the 2019-20 EuroLeague season and averaged 5.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. When he left to FC Bayern Munich, nobody expected Reynolds to be back, but he surprised everybody with a career-defining campaign. Reynolds averaged 13.6 points on excellent shooting percentages (59.8% 2FG, 87.2% FT) and 5.8 rebounds in 39 games to help Bayern make the playoffs. He is back in Tel Aviv to offer his trademark intensity, hustle and winning mentality.

### Sertac Sanli, FC Barcelona

Sertac Sanli was critical to Anadolu Efes Istanbul's success. Sanli showcased his elite pick-and-roll skills as a mobile center with three-point range, great hands and outstanding determination. He averaged 7.8 points in 34 games and only Tibor Pleiss and EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic had a better PIR average per 40 minutes (22.0) for the champs last season. Sanli arrives in Barcelona with confidence as he heads abroad for the first time.

### Guerschon Yabusele, Real Madrid

Real Madrid added versatility and presence in the paint by signing power forward Guerschon Yabusele, who comes off a strong season with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Yabusele averaged 11.0 points on 38.4% three-point shooting (taking 3.7 per game) and 4.2 rebounds in 30 EuroLeague games with ASVEL. He had one of his best games – with 21 points and 7 rebounds – against Real in the Spanish capital. At age 25, Yabusele is ready for bigger challenges, like playing for the winningest team in European basketball history.

EuroLeague signings: Inside moves

UNICS Kazan added some firepower to its roster by signing shooting guard O.J. Mayo for the season, the club announced Monday. Mayo (1.96 meters, 33 years old) arrives from Liaoning Flying Leopards, where he averaged 19.6 points on 44.1% three-point shooting, 4.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 56 Chinese League games last season. He helped the team reach the Chinese League finals in 2020 and 2021. Mayo started his professional career in the NBA with Memphis, Dallas and Milwaukee. He has also played for Atleticos de San German of Puerto Rico, Hunan Jinjian Miye of China and both Dacin Tigers Taipei and Fubon Braves of Taiwan. Mayo is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with UNICS this season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ru" dir="ltr">О Джей Мэйо – новичок УНИКСа!🤝<br> <br>УНИКС подписал однолетний контракт с 33-летним американским атакующим защитником О Джей Мэйо (196 см, 95 кг), за плечами которого 8 сезонов в Национальной Баскетбольной Ассоциации✅ <a href="https://t.co/9i6ecI0FTZ">pic.twitter.com/9i6ecI0FTZ</a></p>&mdash; BC UNICS Kazan (@unicsbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/unicsbasket/status/1439853093039001601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>