Giovanni Emejuru has bypassed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Denver Nuggets and will start his professional career in Europe. The former East Carolina center is signing with BC Roma SPQR, where he will compete in Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroCup during the 2026-27 season. The Rome club is co-owned by longtime Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic. As a fifth-year senior, the 6-foot-10 Emejuru averaged 12.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, ranking among the American Athletic Conference’s top big men.
Johnny Juzang is also heading overseas. The former UCLA standout has signed a one-year contract with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce. Juzang spent last season with Zenit St. Petersburg in the VTB United League, producing 14.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists over 17 games. The 6-foot-6 wing previously logged 123 NBA appearances across four seasons, averaging 6.9 points and 2.2 rebounds, and was on a two-way deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves before being waived in February.
Eastern Conference outlook
Offseason moves—including LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers—have tightened the race in the East. According to The Athletic, the conference now rivals the West in depth, with the Knicks, Sixers, Celtics, Pistons, Pacers, Raptors, Cavaliers, Magic, Hawks, and a revamped Heat featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo all eyeing playoff spots.
NBA.com analyst John Schuhmann keeps the reigning champion Knicks at No. 1 in his post-free-agency power rankings. The Sixers climb to second after adding James and Jaylen Brown, while the Cavaliers, Raptors, and Pistons round out the top five.
Fontecchio headlines Italy’s World Cup push
Simone Fontecchio is the only active NBA player named to Italy’s 16-man roster for the second round of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Italy (5-1) trails unbeaten Turkey (6-0) and sits ahead of Serbia (4-2) in Group I. Lithuania and Iceland are 3-3, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is 2-4. The top three finishers advance to the World Cup. Fontecchio re-signed with the Miami Heat this summer on a one-year veteran-minimum contract.
Source: Hoops Rumors
