Starting point
Valencia Basket heads into the 2026/27 season with a deep roster overhaul and a new coaching staff. After a preseason that already produced a friendly win over Casademont Zaragoza (88-81) in Benicarló, the Spanish club is set to compete simultaneously in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Liga Endesa.
The departure of key pieces from the previous project forces a redefinition of roles and hierarchy, but the summer market has brought EuroLeague experience and versatile profiles on both sides of the court.
Roster changes
It has been a busy summer. Notable exits include Jaime Pradilla (Real Madrid), Jean Montero (Olympiacos), Brancou Badio (Panathinaikos), Braxton Key (Fenerbahce), Darius Thompson (EA7 Emporio Armani Milan) and Nathan Sestina (LDLC ASVEL). Veteran voices such as Xabi López-Arostegui and Sergio de Larrea also left when their contracts expired.
On the incoming side, the club signed Tj Shorts from Panathinaikos, Dylan Osetkowski from Partizan, Armoni Brooks from Milan and Mario Saint-Supéry to bolster the backcourt. Lucas Marí adds young continuity to the project, while Jasiel Rivero joins on a one-month temporary deal.
The frontcourt rotation features Nathan Reuvers, Neal Sako, Yankuba Sima, Mo Gueye and Nate Reuvers; on the perimeter, Josep Puerto, Kameron Taylor, Omari Moore, Elias Valtonen, Gonzalo Corbalán and Lucas Marí provide shooting and wing defense. The balance between local talent and international signings defines the new roster.
Identity and strengths
The offensive foundation rests on creation and decision-making in the pick-and-roll. Tj Shorts arrives as the primary playmaker after his ACB stint with Panathinaikos (8.1 points and 2.9 assists per game in 43 games last season) and brings direct EuroLeague experience.
Álvaro Cárdenas is establishing himself as the starting point guard for Spain and Valencia. His numbers at the 2026 FIBA World Cup (9.1 points and 5.0 assists per game in 8 games) reflect the maturity to lead transitions and distribute in crunch time.
Inside, Dylan Osetkowski offers stretch-four versatility, capable of spacing the floor and guarding multiple positions. His move from Partizan strengthens a frontcourt that lost Pradilla and needs stability through demanding double-competition schedules.
Perimeter depth with Brooks, Puerto, Valtonen and Taylor allows tactical flexibility and a high tempo. At this stage of our editorial analysis, the team's identity points toward fast basketball with emphasis on transition and outside shooting.
Risks
Youth and limited continuity in the starting five create uncertainty. Replacing players who carried decisive EuroLeague minutes takes time, and integrating several new signings in a few weeks will shape the early results.
Center remains a concern: Sima and Sako must hold the paint against physical opponents, while Jasiel Rivero's temporary contract leaves a short window at the power forward spot. Injury management and the double-competition load will be critical.
Expectations and reasoned forecast
From an editorial standpoint, Valencia Basket looks like a team that can target the middle of the EuroLeague table and stay in the upper half of Liga Endesa, provided the rotation finds balance before November. According to this analysis, chasing the continent's elite in the first half of the season seems unrealistic; the ceiling will depend on Shorts' adaptation and interior defensive solidity.
In the domestic league, a reasonable goal is to secure a playoff spot and compete with the top clubs without relying on short winning streaks. The development of Cárdenas, Marí and Saint-Supéry could decide close games.
Opening games
The schedule starts in Europe: on September 25, Valencia visits Besiktas Istanbul in the EuroLeague (19:00 UTC). Two days later, on September 27, the club opens Liga Endesa at La Fonteta against iLERNA Lleida (12:00 UTC).
On September 29, Baskonia comes to town in the EuroLeague, followed by a trip to Villeurbanne on October 2. In Liga Endesa, Zaragoza awaits on October 4 and Barcelona on October 11. These games, especially the first two EuroLeague home fixtures, will be the first real test of the project.
