Nando De Colo. One of the most successful point guards in EuroLeague history, will retire after the 2026 season — the French guard made the announcement in an interview with BeBasket, stating that this will be his final season of professional basketball. He currently plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey.

Legacy of Excellence

De Colo is the second-highest scorer in EuroLeague history with 5,157 points and holds the record for the highest free-throw percentage at 93.5 percent. He has won the EuroLeague twice with CSKA Moscow in the 2015–16 and 2018,19 seasons. Fenerbahce is currently in second place in the standings and is considered a strong contender for the title in the 2026 playoffs.

De Colo previously played for ASVEL in France but failed to reach the playoffs in his time there. He has also played 119 games in the NBA for the Spurs and Raptors. At the international level, he has represented France in 209 games and won two Olympic silver medals and a European Championship in 2013.

Final Push for Glory

In his interview, De Colo mentioned that he had been considering retirement for some time. He has no intention of waiting until Fenerbahce wins the EuroLeague to retire, but he hopes to end his career on a high note by bringing the trophy back to Istanbul for the third time. “I haven’t said I will retire only if we win the EuroLeague. But honestly, this will be my last season,” he said.

Currently, De Colo is sidelined with a calf injury. In his 12 games so far for Fenerbahce, he has averaged 10.9 points and 2.3 assists per game. His experience and leadership are key for the team’s chances in the playoffs.

Parallel Colorado Stories

While De Colo’s career nears its end in European basketball, the state of Colorado is seeing its own set of developments. The Colorado Buffaloes are preparing for a high-stakes 2026 football season, with ticket prices for key matchups reaching as high as $125 for the Utah game at Folsom Field. Meanwhile, in Pueblo, a Colorado City resident named Michael Jenkins is dealing with the trauma of two fires in two weeks, leaving him with no home and no tent. In Colorado Springs, a 15-year-old girl named Sophia Sirotkin is missing and under investigation by local authorities.

These events, while geographically connected, highlight the diverse and often unpredictable nature of life in Colorado, from sports to personal tragedy and community resilience.