Category: Transfers

Valletta BC sign Ashton Spears

BOV Division One side Valletta BC  have signed US import player Ashton Spears, Malta Basketball can confirm. Spears is said to have joined the capital club over the week, with sources saying the 6’2 guard is signed and in line for his debut on Sunday as Valletta face Luxol in the day’s early game.

Spears joins the Citizens after overseas stints in France, Germany and most lately Portugal when he played for SC Lusitania EXPERT in the Portuguese top division last season. While his time there was that of just three games, the Louisiana native put up an average of 14.3 points, three assists and two rebounds after spending 29.3 minutes a game.

The former St Edwards University player played his final college season with the Hilltoppers after moving from Jacksonville State University. 

Spears now joins coach Harry Savaya’s Valletta roster which has grown significantly and will be the team’s third American summer signing after they had brought over Lorenzo Anderson and Eric Terry in the offseason to complement the addition of Piotr Stelmach and local Division One transfers Francesco Mifsud Bonnici and Nicholas Grech amongst others. 

Valletta are currently second in the BOV Division One standings on a 2-1 record so far after three games played.

Athleta sign Ghana forward Amoafo

BOV Division One side Athleta have expanded their squad depth for the new season with a new import signing last week as they named Ghanaian forward Maxwell Amoafo to coach Sandro Farrugia’s roster, the club announced on Sunday.

The 6’7 player joins the Maroons after having played college basketball at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada before moving to Spain for his professional debut with Coto Cordoba CB in the Spanish Segunda league. 

“We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the Athleta Basketball Club for the 2024 season—Maxwell Amoafo!” A club statement read. 

“Standing tall at 6’7”, Maxwell brings strength, agility, and a wealth of experience from his time in Spain and Canada. As a versatile forward with a tenacious defensive presence and a knack for rebounding, he is set to be a key player in our quest for success. Let’s give Maxwell a warm welcome to the Athleta family!”

Last season, the forward averaged 18 minutes per game over 16 appearances where he put up 6.8 points and seven rebounds a game. 

Amoafo becomes the team’s third import for the season after the Gzira-based side acquired former Starlites big man Kurt James and compatriot Caleb Matthews over the summer. Together with local signings Robert Vitale, Billy Joel Zammit, and Isaac Bonett – who has not yet made his Athleta debuts so far due to injury – the three overseas players will be hoping to combine for a turnaround after an unlucky opening to the new league campaign which has seen them fall to four defeats, one of which was Amoafo’s debut. 

On Sunday, Athleta suffered a closed 74-71 defeat to Valletta Lions with Amoafo putting up a 17-minute performance where he put up five points, grabbed five rebounds and made three assists.

Depiro sign Janai Crooms

Mtarfa-side Betsson Depiro returned to the transfer market with import player Jensen Caretti said to be out long-term, and have now signed the signing of Rwandan-American guard Janai Crooms, the club announced on Saturday.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Janai Crooms to our Senior Women’s Team!” a Depiro statement read.

“Janai is a Providence College graduate and was part of the  All-Big East tournament in her Senior Year. Janai also represented the Rwandan National Team, contributing to their best-ever third place finish. Welcome to Depiro, Janai!”

Crooms, originally born in the US but who has represented Rwanda in the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, joins last season’s Knockout winners after a college career with the Providence Friars and a stint in Puerto Rico with Cangrejeras de Santurce.

Crooms played two seasons with the Friars from 2021-23. During her career at Providence, she was an All-BIG EAST Honourable Mention selection (2021-22), a Preseason All-BIG EAST pick (2022-23) and a five-time BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll selection. 

She finished her collegiate career averaging a team-best 11.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Crooms joins coach Julian Naudi’s team as they look to overcome their previous defeat to Caffe Moak Luxol, which ended their John Tabone Shield campaign. This was their first defeat since Sophie Abela’s departure to CD Isla Bonita and Caretti’s injury, which came in their competition opener against Hibernians – their only other Shield loss. Caretti, who joined the team over the summer, is set to continue rehabilitating after an awkward landing from a challenge during the game in October.

While Crooms will be an immediate replacement for the two players, sources tell Malta Basketball that the club is also awaiting the next local player transfer window to sign veteran forward Joselle Cardona, a former Malta international who will return to the game after last playing for Luxol.

Jacob Formosa extends Perth Redbacks gig

Malta international Jacob Formosa has extended his experience at NBL1 side Perth Redbacks for yet another season, the Australian club announced.

Formosa, who played for the Malta national team numerous times throughout the years joined the Redbacks after further NBL1 stints with the Joondalup Wolves and the Eastern Suns.  

“Jacob Formosa will be back in The Web for 2025, his third year for the North Perth Community Bank Branch Perth Redbacks,” a club statement read.

Formosa, who averaged around 18 minutes on court per game in the 2024 season, shot 5.2 points per game, 2.7 rebounds, and finished the season fourth in team assists with 2.1 per game. However, the highlight cause to the team’s insistence on his extension is said to be “his stability and leadership in a year with a significant team injury toll.”

“Jake is becoming a heart and soul guy for us,” Redbacks coach Charles Nix said. 

“He has been a massive part of our program for the last two seasons and really stepped up last year while we managed a bunch of injuries. Everyone has noted his huge emphasis on leadership and desire to impact on our culture positively, as well as some real consistency and confidence in his play.”

The Redbacks will be hoping this extension would inspire a better run in the 2025 season. Last season, Perth finished in the elimination stage of the postseason, falling to Lakeside Lightning after a 14th-place ending to the regular season. 

Tomasi joins Hong Kong side Chun Lung WTS

Forward Joshua Tomasi joins the list of Maltese internationals to play in Asia as he has now joined newly-promoted Hong Kong A1 League (HKA1) side Chun Lung WTS, Malta Basketball can confirm. 

The Maltese abroad joined the team in search of another overseas gig after joining Maltese Division One side Depiro over the summer in a blockbuster signing. In spite of this, Tomasi’s Maltese adventure lasted a few months he departed the club after last season’s John Tabone Shield to pursue a move to Spain.

This again was temporary as he returned to Australia to join the Casey Cavaliers until the rest of the NBL1 season. There he averaged 6.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game with the Cavaliers.

In Malta, he averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in two John Tabone Shield games.

Now he joins the Hong Kong-based side as the team’s only import. Speaking to Malta Basketball, Tomasi said he felt honoured to have such an opportunity.

Joshua Tomasi with his new teammates.
Joshua Tomasi (seventh from left) with his new teammates. Photo | Chun Lung WTS.

“There are big expectations but also a big opportunity and compensation that comes with it,” he said. 

“I’m very grateful for it – the first time in my career to be playing a role such as this. I’m the only import as it’s one import per team in the first division here.”

Tomasi has already made his official debut on Wednesday as the team faced Eagles BC in a game in which both teams went to overtime before the latter took the game 88-86.

Since 2021, the HKA1 season has been held between September and April, with the offseason taking place from May to August. 

Tomasi’s younger brother Domenic is currently following in his footsteps in Malta after joining Depiro over the summer.

Valletta BC sign Janae Barnes

Valletta BC are set to start life in the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League with a new import player as Malta Basketball can confirm that the Citizens have signed American guard Janae Barnes.

“In collaboration with Ladies First Agency, Dreamcatch Management is proud to announce the signing of Janae Barnes to play in Malta for Valletta Basketball Club!” A statement read on Monday. 

“A special thanks to Valletta Basketball Club and head coach Savaya for trusting in Janae’s talents and in Dreamcatch Management’s services. We believe this is Janae’s time to shine!”

Barnes joins the team after stints in Egypt, Nicaragua, Morocco, Mexico, Albania, and Kosovo besides her native country. This led to her being a WUBA National League Western Conference Champion in 2020, Western Conference champion, and championship finalist a year later; an Albania Cup winner in 2022; and a finalist in the Nicaraguan League a year later.

Last season in Egypt, Barnes played with Gezert El Ward in the Egyptian SuperLeague but has now been in Malta for the past few days, to link up with the team ahead of their debut in the Women’s John Tabone Shield against Depiro on October 15. 

Barnes is one of numerous signings the capital club has made over the summer after announcing it will be competing in the women’s league as part of an expansion of the club that is now in its second season in the local basketball league. 

Sophie Abela signs for Isla Bonita

Women’s Super Cup winner Sophie Abela is once again a Maltese abroad with her move to Spanish side CD Isla Bonita, the club has officially confirmed.

“Introducing Sophie Abela, a Malta natural player who started playing basketball when she was five years old,” a club statement read.

“(Abela) Graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor in Business and Sports Management. Returning to Malta she played at Depiro club for a year and this year joins our Isla Bonita family for this new season 24/25. Welcome Sophie to your new home!”

Abela, who was on the books of Depiro until a few days ago, returns overseas after her time in the USA playing college ball in Colorado. 

Last season, she was part of a Depiro team which made it to the playoff finals, losing to the eventual champions Caffe Moak Luxol in Game Five. However, Abela lifted the KnockOut trophy earlier on in March. Abela was also part of coach Charlie Bonnici’s Malta national team over the summer at the FIBA Small Countries Games, in which Malta finished second place, as well as the Malta Women’s 3×3 team in the Fiba Europe Cup qualifiers. 

Now she moves to an Isla Bonita side that has already played their first two encounters of the new season, beating Gran Canaria 81-67 in their latest game, one which featured the Abela.

Isla Bonita are part of the Primera División Nacional Femenina, which is the top regional league in the Canary Islands. This league represents a significant level of women’s basketball in Spain, with teams often aspiring to reach higher national competitions like Liga Femenina 2. The team is associated with the Roque Idafe project and is based on the island of La Palma.

Athleta sign US guard Caleb Matthews

With just a few days to go until the start of the John Tabone Shield, Athleta have named their second import player signing of the new season, naming American guard Caleb Matthews to their squad.

“We’re excited to welcome Caleb Matthews to the Athleta Basketball Club for the 2024 season!” a club statement read on Thursday. 

“Caleb, a standout guard from Wilmington University, brings a sharp shooting touch, incredible court vision, and a winning mentality to our team. Known for his leadership and clutch performances, Caleb is ready to make an impact and lead us to new heights.”

Matthews heads to Malta after his time in the NCAA Division Two where last season, he averaged 10.7 points per game in 29 showings for the Wilmington Wildcats. An accurate freethrow shooter – averaging 83.3% from the line last season – Matthews will be aiming to continue this in Malta under new coach Sandro Farrugia who also joined the team during the summer.

Matthews is Athleta’s fourth high-profile signing of the summer and comes as a replacement for captain Francesco Mifsud Bonnici who left for Valletta BC this summer. Since the departure of Mifsud Bonnici, together with Matthew Gouder and Luca Stefanovic, the 2019 Malta champions have brought in former Mellieha Libertas duo Robert Vitale and Isaac Bonett, as well as former Starlites forward Kurt James. 

US forward Eric Terry joins Valletta BC

As they head into their second season in the BOV Division One, Valletta BC have signed another US import player, with Eric Terry joining the team for the coming campaign, Malta Basketball can confirm. 

The 6’8 forward joins the Capital club after a two-season stint in the French NM2 league Gennevilliers Basket during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. 

Terry who can play as both a forward and a centre will be a valid rotational partner with fellow new signing Piotr Stelmach who was a force in those same positions last season with Athleta.

The Texas native joins compatriot Lorenzo Anderson on the team led by coach Harry Savaya as the Capital club looks to be stacking up to meet the challenge of the top echelon of Maltese basketball after their experimental debut saw them struggling to keep up.

Last season, Valletta finished in the final spot of the standings after failing to win any games in the Division One regular season. They did put themselves in the winning charts once in all competitions last season when they beat Luxol in the John Tabone Shield back in October.

Over the summer, however, the team has expanded its operations with numerous signings that signal the willingness to put their name in the winning column this coming season.

Tigers BT complete Matthew Brown signing

After confirming Lebanese duo Serge Hamparsoumian and Michel Jalkh to their squad for the coming season, new BOV Division One side Tigers Basketball have signed US Import Matthew Brown.

Brown, a 6’6 forward, will be joining the team after his time in the East Coast Basketball League (ECBL) with the SC Letitfly Webdogs after his college career in the NCAA Division Two at the Anderson Trojans and earlier with high school team The Spartanburg Day Griffins where he shared the court with now NBA star Zion Williamson.

In August, it was the player himself who announced he would be signing with a Maltese club on his socials, initially mentioning Valletta BC as the team he would be playing for in Malta. However, now the team is confirmed as the Citizens’ partner club as he joins the debutants this coming October.

Valletta trio makes switch to Tigers

Meanwhile, three players have made the switch from Valletta BC to the Tigers this summer. Daniel Massa, Daniele Militello, and Telmanovic ‘Sasha’ Saakian will all be on the books of the debutants for the coming campaign.

Massa had joined the citizens late in the 23/24 season and played just one game under Harry Savaya where he scored four points, and made two assists and another two rebounds in a defeat to Athleta. He now joins his new team in search of a full season in Division One.

Militello and Saakian both started last season at Valletta. While Militello was a fringe player at the Capital club, Saakian played 13 games across all competitions for the side.

The Russian forward averaged six points, 10.3 rebounds, and two assists a game for Valletta and will surely be bringing well-needed experience to the side.