By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In contrast to Nikos Rogkavopoulos and Alexandros Samodurov rejoining the daily schedule, Panathinaikos Aktor also placed Omer Yurtseven on the injury list.
Team practice on Sunday featured Rogkavopoulos and Samodurov participating without limitations, recovering from ankle and finger setbacks, but Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, Richaun Holmes, and Mathias Lessort were limited to individual work, rehabbing from injuries.
Adding to concerns for head coach Ergin Ataman, 27-year-old Yurtseven underwent medical tests, which revealed a second-degree adductor strain. The initial projections on his recovery timeline are set at three weeks. So far in his 2025-26 EuroLeague campaign, the Turkish center tallied 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.6 steals over eight appearances, including six starts.
Further limited options for the five position for the Greens, heading to Round 9 of the Regular Season and a clash with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet in Belgrade Arena on Wednesday. Ataman’s side sits at 5-3, tied with four other teams between fourth and eighth on the standings of Europe’s premier club continental competition. On the opposite end, the Serbian club is up to 6-2, tied with Zalgiris and Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv in first place of the standings, with six straight wins after a 0-2 start.
Before being forced to the injury list, 24-year-old Rogkavopoulos averaged 4.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.2 assists per game over five appearances, including two starts, while 20-year-old Samodurov went for 3.0 points, 1.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per contest in two games.