Welcome back: Six exciting FIBA Europe Cup returns

MUNICH (Germany) - The ninth edition of the FIBA Europe Cup is underway and there are some notable returns to the competition ahead of the Regular Season.

It's time to welcome back some familiar names and faces including some players that sit at the very top of the all-time FIBA Europe Cup statistical leaderboards.

BAKKEN BEARS

Previous seasons: 5
Best finish: Semi-Finals (2018, 2020, 2022)

The Danish champions are back for their sixth season of FIBA Europe Cup action. Bakken reached the Semi-Finals on three previous occasions in 2018, 2020 and 2022, but how far will they go in 2024?

They have an experienced roster that includes three of the top-five leading scorers in the competition's history. Michel Diouf tops the charts with 931 points with Danish international Darko Jukic in third spot on 861 points, while Ryan Evans is further back in a tie for fifth place with 616 points. Also, Skyler Bowlin plays in the competition for a fourth team with 289 points and 161 assists to his name.

Meanwhile, Italian side Varese make their first appearance in the competition since 2018-19 having previously reached the Final of the inaugural edition in 2016.

John ROBERSON - Manisa BBSK

POINT GUARD

Birth Date: October 28, 1988 (34 years old)
Height: 1.80m
Nationality: BIH

Previous seasons: Elan Chalon (2015-17)
Statistics: 15.0 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 5.9 APG in 41 games

It's been a while, but Roberson is back in FIBA Europe Cup action once again having lit up the early editions of the competition. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international poured in 500+ points across two seasons with Elan Chalon and held the previous scoring record with 39 points - including 10 three-pointers - in 2017.

The now 34-year-old helped Manisa BBSK to the Regular Season with an impressive display in the Qualifiers, adding to his overall points tally in the competition to join Ryan Evans on 616 points in joint fifth on the all-time leaderboard. Roberson also ranks third in all-time assists with 240.

Tony TAYLOR - Bahcesehir College

POINT GUARD

Birth Date: August 9, 1990 (33 years old)
Height: 1.83m
Nationality: USA 

Previous seasons: Enisey (2015-17); Pinar Karsiyaka (2019-20)
Statistics: 12.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.8 APG in 49 games

Taylor is set to make his 50th appearance in FIBA Europe Cup when Bahcesehir College open up their Regular Season campaign. The experienced guard last played in the competition with Turkish side Pinar Karsiyaka in the 2019-20 season having previously spent two years with Enisey.

The 33-year-old has amassed 609 points in the competition and sits just outside the top five in the all-time leaderboard. Taylor is also 12 assists away from becoming the fifth player to register at least 200 in FIBA Europe Cup action with 20 needed to move into the top five.

Andrea CINCIARINI - Casademont Zaragoza

POINT GUARD

Birth Date: June 21, 1986 (37 years old)
Height: 1.90m
Nationality: ITA

Previous seasons: UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia (2021-22)
Statistics: 9.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 9.2 APG in 18 games

The Italian playmaker is back for a second season having almost inspired UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia to the title two years ago. Cinciarini led the league in assists with 10.1 per game throughout the campaign and now heads up the Casademont Zaragoza offense that has a lot of firepower at its disposal.

Cinciarini tied the single-game record for assists with 18 during the 2021-22 campaign and dished out 10+ in a game on seven separate occasions. Can the 37-year-old add to those impressive numbers upon his return?

Axel BOUTEILLE - Bahcesehir College

SMALL FORWARD

Birth Date: April 14, 1995 (28 years old)
Height: 2.01m
Nationality: FRA

Previous seasons: Elan Chalon (2015-17)
Statistics: 7.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.1 APG in 39 games

Another Bahcesehir player with history in the competition, Bouteille was also part of the Elan Chalon roster - alongside John Roberson - that made it to the Finals. The French forward was only at the start of his career then, and returns having since represented the national team during Qualifiers for both FIBA EuroBasket and FIBA Basketball World Cup in recent years.

David VOJVODA - Arconic-Alba Fehervar

GUARD

Birth Date: September 4, 1990 (33 years old)
Height: 1.96m
Nationality: HUN

Previous seasons: Szolnoki Olaj (2017-19)
Statistics: 16.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.7 APG in 27 games

Experienced Hungarian international Vojvoda is set for his first appearance in the competition since 2019 having accumulated 457 points across two editions with Szolnoki. The 33-year-old suits up for another team from Hungary this season having made the move to Arconic-Alba Fehervar in 2020. Will Vojvoda be climbing into the top-20 in the all-time FIBA Europe Cup scoring charts?

FIBA