Barcelona Signs Center Olek Balcerowski as Real Madrid Nears NBA Player Olivier Sarr

European basketball teams are intensifying their preparations for the 2026/2027 EuroLeague season, with the center position becoming increasingly competitive and scarce. Israeli teams Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv are also expected to make moves to strengthen this key role.

Barcelona officially announced the signing of 25-year-old Polish center Olek Balcerowski, who stands 2.16 meters tall. After a three-year absence from the EuroLeague, Balcerowski returns following two seasons with Malaga. Last season, he averaged 8.8 points per game with impressive shooting percentages (71.2% field goals, 33.3% three-pointers, 85.7% free throws), along with 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in the FIBA Champions League. In the Spanish league, his stats improved to 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Balcerowski has prior EuroLeague experience with Gran Canaria and Panathinaikos.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid is reportedly close to signing French center Olivier Sarr, aged 27 and 2.08 meters tall. Although undrafted in 2021, Sarr carved out a path to the NBA, playing 50 games for Oklahoma City and Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game. After nearly a decade in college basketball, the NBA, and the G League, Sarr is set to return to Europe.

The competition for quality centers in the EuroLeague is tightening as teams finalize their rosters ahead of the upcoming season.