By Nikola Miloradovic / [email protected]
As officially announced, Umana Reyer Venice has signed a multi-year agreement with R.J. Cole, who arrives from Rytas Vilnius.
The left-handed point guard spent the last two seasons in Lithuania but began his professional career with Greek club Lavrio and German side Löwen Braunschweig.
During the 2023–2025 period, he was one of the key players for Rytas Vilnius, competing in the Basketball Champions League and winning the Lithuanian title in 2024.
In the most recent Champions League season, Cole averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game, shooting 51.4% from two-point range, 43.9% from three, and 89.5% from the free-throw line.
“I chose Reyer Venezia because I know we will build something special here. I have heard only wonderful things about the club and the fans. I am excited and grateful to be part of the team and this project. I am ready to give my best, work hard, and win games. I can’t wait to get started and experience the city,” Cole said about this new chapter in his career.
Besiktas parts with five players, confirms Sleva’s exit
While Venice made a big signing ahead of the 2025–26 season, Besiktas Fibabanka confirmed five departures and also acknowledged the exit of Dustin Sleva, whose move to Zalgiris had already been announced.
The Turkish team, coached by Serbian tactician Dušan Alimpijević, has parted ways with Derek Needham, Emanuel Terry, Uroš Plavšić, Kyle Allman, and Kelan Martin.
Needham and Allman had been with the Istanbul club since the 2023–24 season, while Plavšić joined midway through the previous campaign on loan from Crvena zvezda. Terry and Martin also played for Besiktas in the 2024–25 season.
Another Istanbul-based club made an announcement as well—Bahçeşehir Koleji confirmed that Göktuğ Baş will stay with the team for the 2025–26 season.
Bahçeşehir had previously announced its parting with former Virtus Bologna and Partizan guard Jaleen Smith.