Cedevita Olimpija announced on July 10, 2024 that its leading guard Aleksej Nikolić has signed with Galatasaray, delivering a major blow to the Slovenian club ahead of the new season.
What happened?
Nikolić, born February 21, 1995 in Postojna, left the team after two successful seasons. Last season he posted an average of 15.4 points and 3.8 assists in 20 EuroCup games, while in the Adriatic League he recorded 12.8 points per game and helped win the Slovenian league title with 11.1 points and 5.3 assists per game. His departure was confirmed by Galatasaray’s official announcement, which also revealed further signings.
Why does the transfer matter for Cedevita Olimpija?
Cedevita Olimpija built its offense around Nikolić’s playmaking and perimeter shooting. He shot 38.2 % from three in the EuroCup, ranking among the league’s best. Without him the squad must re‑tool its pick‑and‑roll and find new ball‑handlers to keep tempo and defensive stability. Coach Damir Mulaomerović will need to adjust rotations, as Nikolić logged 2.1 turnovers per minute in his last ten games.
How will this affect Galatasaray?
Galatasaray already added Dyshawn Pierre, Şehmus Hazer and Chimezie Metu last year. Nikolić brings experience from six European countries and games in the EuroLeague, EuroCup and BCL. In 2023/24 he posted 10.2 points and 4.5 assists in 12 games for Gran Canaria, giving Galatasaray deeper guard options. His court vision will aid fast breaks from the defensive end to offense.
What’s next after the transfer?
Cedevita Olimpija will likely hunt for a new starting guard, focusing on young Slovenian talent or loans from other European clubs. Galatasaray, after completing registration for European competition, will prepare Nikolić for FIBA Champions League games, expecting over 30 minutes per match. Both clubs must tweak tactics to exploit their new line‑ups in upcoming contests.