Moses Wright got a Macedonian passport - and that took him to Barcelona

This is the reinforcement the national team was waiting for. American center Moses Wright got a Macedonian passport and can now play for Macedonia. That same passport, according to Catalan media, also helped him in the transfer from Žalgiris to Barcelona - with Macedonian citizenship he is no longer counted as a non-European player in European competitions. Wright had an excellent season in the Žalgiris jersey, which opened the door to Barcelona. At the upcoming main qualifiers for the European Championship in August, he is expected to be our center. With a player of this caliber at the five, the men's national team gains a quality it hasn't had in a long time.

DJ Stewart promises his best for Macedonia in the pre-qualifiers

Besides Wright, a second new face also made a loud announcement. DJ Stewart said he will give his best for Macedonia and will be our foreigner in the pre-qualifiers for the 2029 European Championship. The split is clear: Stewart carries the pre-qualifiers as the foreigner, while for the main qualifiers in August the job most likely goes to the new citizen Wright. Two Americans with different roles, one same goal - for Macedonia to be a team people talk about again, not just a number in the group. The promises sound good; the courts in August will tell how much they're worth.

Macedonia paid Bulgaria back in the second friendly in Skopje

A rematch is always a treat at home. Macedonia beat Bulgaria in the second friendly in Skopje, narrowly but deservedly, and paid the neighbor back. Friendlies rarely tell the whole story - but against Bulgaria, no match is "just friendly." A win in front of a home crowd, with the new team slowly forming around Wright and Stewart, sends a message before the summer of qualifiers. It's not a trophy, but it's a good sign that the chemistry is being built where it should - on the court, not just on paper.

LeBron and the Lakers haven't budged - talks stalled at the start

When the legend waits, the whole league watches. According to reports, the Los Angeles Lakers have not yet offered a contract to LeBron James, and communication between the two sides has been minimal since the negotiating window opened. LeBron is a free agent after the expiry of a contract worth 52.6 million dollars, and reportedly does not want a pay cut - he's asking for a maximum deal. One brief "check-in to say hello" at the start, and silence since. For a player who changed the definition of longevity in the NBA, this silence is almost louder than any offer. Whether the Lakers are playing hardball or just waiting - the summer will show.

Bartzokas stayed at Olympiacos - a new three-year deal after a historic season

Olympiacos signed a contract extension with coach Georgios Bartzokas for another three years, until the end of the 2028/29 season, after a historic season for the Piraeus club. "Renewing our cooperation fills me with joy and emotion. Olympiacos is much more than a professional home - it's my team, my home," Bartzokas said. In the EuroLeague, where Balkan and Greek clubs constantly chase the top, the stability of the bench is worth as much as a reinforcement on the court. While some clubs change coaches like jerseys, Olympiacos chose continuity - and rarely has that proven a bad decision.