The EuroCupBasketball.com staff members offered their predictions ahead of Game 1 between Paris Basketball and the London Lions.

Semifinals predictions: Game 1, Paris Basketball vs. London Lions

The best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals are historic already as Paris Basketball and London Lions bring the highest-level European club game yet to the French capital.

### Paris will keep on going

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

When I filled out my EuroCup Challenge bracket, I had Paris go all the way and sweep its way through the playoffs. I am (still) sticking to it. Yes, London has been clicking on all cylinders in both playoff games. Head coach Petar Bozic's men dismissed Turk Telekom by 23 and U-BT Cluj-Napoca by 12 points, averaging 95.5 points while allowing 78.0. They got Sam Dekker back and David Nwaba is playing excellent basketball ever since joining the team. But there is a reason Paris is 18-1 this season, that sole loss coming back in late November. T.J. Shorts is hard to stop, and Paris has so many great weapons, so much quickness and athleticism, and move the ball so well. I say they protect the home floor in the series opener. **My pick: Paris.**

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">THE CLASH IS BACK ⚡️😈 <br><br>Après deux games remportés par la team en saison régulière, on retrouve notre rival européen London en 1/2 finale mardi soir à la maison 💥<br><br>2 équipes ambitieuses🔝<br>1 seule pour atteindre la dernière marche☝️<br><br>PRENDS TA PLACE 🎟️<a href="https://t.co/9oT7p2SxzJ">https://t.co/9oT7p2SxzJ</a>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/hLhBWFYSDp">pic.twitter.com/hLhBWFYSDp</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1771236658332963169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The Lions will roar in Paris

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Petar Bozic's London Lions have proven to be a better road team than they are at home, going 8-1 on their travels in the regular season before beating U-BT Cluj-Napoca – a team with a 7-2 home record prior to the playoffs – in its own back yard in the quarterfinals. London has a curious history with Paris, [something you should read more about here](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/paris-basketball-london-lions-rivalry-is-ready-to-go-to-new-heights/), but I think we'll see big performances from Sam Dekker, David Nwaba and Gabe Olaseni at the brand-new Adidas Arena. Paris's up-tempo style of play should make things difficult, however the Lions have enough quality to cause plenty of problems for the hosts and, in my eyes, steal Game 1 on the road. **My pick: London.**

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ahead of the HUGE semi-final matchup against <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> this evening<a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LondonLions</a> coach Petar Bozic and star players, <a href="https://twitter.com/dekker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dekker</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealMM10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealMM10</a> sat down to talk about their historic season 🎥 <br><br>Watch the full feature now! <a href="https://t.co/i8m3aE4wrn">pic.twitter.com/i8m3aE4wrn</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1772538081448439885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Paris will prevail in the opener

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

There is little doubt about it, Paris and London will be a fast-paced semifinal and it will be a matter of outgunning the opponent. London got better since these eam last met, with David Nwaba joining the team and Sam Dekker returning from an injury he suffered just after halftime of their second game. In that Round 13 showdown, London limited T.J. Shorts to a season-low PIR of 6 but lost 94-77 in the French capital. I expect Shorts to confirm he is the front-runner in the MVP race, leading Paris to a very convincing victory. The core of this team is used to winning big games and that will matter in Game 1. **My pick: Paris.**

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">JOUR DE DEMI-FINALE ⚡️ <a href="https://t.co/sek3nTr7cp">pic.twitter.com/sek3nTr7cp</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1772550876806123843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### London will pull off a stunner

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

I can't back this one up except to say that somewhere in my gut, I have a hunch that London takes this game. When picking my EuroCup Fantasy Challenge team, I kept wanting more and more London players. I am assuming, of course, that London arrives at full strength. And if so, the Lions improved lineup with Olaseni, Dekker, Nwaba and Grantham all healthy and in uniform could make the difference. Not that I am picking London to win the series, but I have a feeling about its chances in the opener. **My pick: London wins a squeaker.**

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">EURO SEMIFINAL GAME DAY! 🦁🔥<br><br>🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> semifinal game 1️⃣<br>🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> <br>⏰ 7:45pm GMT<br>📍 Adidas Arena<br>📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/tntsports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tntsports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreLondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreLondon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/R6dE7oulMi">pic.twitter.com/R6dE7oulMi</a></p>&mdash; London Lions (@LondonLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions/status/1772571214067782018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Paris is primed for Game 1 win

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

Paris has not only forged an 18-1 record but has done so with historic numbers in the same group as London, obliterating opponents by 19.1 points per game. True, Paris's dynamic, fast-paced game is more or less up London's alley and the British visitors have proven themselves even better on the road than at home. But the same can be said of Paris, making this the rare series that could easily have two road winners before Game 3. That said, Paris deserves the nod in Game 1 for what it has done until now, which is simply mow down every obstacle in its path with a blaze of speedy execution that has been all but impossible to stop. **My pick: Paris.**

Check out the Game 1 predictions from EuroCupbasketball.com staff members.

Semifinals predictions: Game 1, Paris vs. London

Paris Basketball v London Lions (2024-03-26T19:45:00.000Z)

Semifinals predictions: Game 1, Bourg vs. Besiktas

The best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals feature an intriguing showdown between Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul. 

### Bourg will find a way in opener

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

In the quarterfinals, Bourg showed why it won its regular season group, dismissing dangerous Prometey Slobozhanske thanks to a 34-13 third quarter. Not many view Bourg as a team that runs all over you, but that's just what happened that third quarter, and Prometey was not the first team this season to experience how solid and well-coached Bourg is by Frederic Fauthoux. Of course, Besiktas has a strong bench presence in Dusan Alimpijevic, and is super-confident after knocking out the defending champs Dreamland Gran Canaria and then Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv on the road. But, I think Bourg will take the first game of this series. My pick: Bourg.

### Bourg by a whisker in Game 1

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

You have to admire Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic's 2-3 road record in EuroCup elimination games, but I predicted an all-French final series before the postseason started, and Bourg essentially has to win Game 1 for that to happen. Resilience is the word for what Bourg has shown this season, as opposed to last, and the hosts will need all of that and more to withstand a resourceful Besiktas team with veteran grit. [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/) should be back on his game after a tough quarterfinal and that should be enough to give Bourg all the weapons it needs on Tuesday. My pick: Bourg. 

### Besiktas will keep on charging

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Bourg has lost at home just once all season long, and that was a Round 18 game with nothing riding on it for Frederic Fauthoux's men. However, Besiktas has already shown in the playoffs that it is ready to turn up and spoil the party – just ask Dreamland Gran Canaria and Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. Besiktas boss Dusan Alimpijevic has become an expert in creating Cinderella-type stories in the EuroCup, and it seems he's on his way to writing another fairy-tale story with Besiktas, two years on from leading Frutti Extra Bursaspor to the EuroCup Finals. I think we'll see big games from [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/), [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/) and [Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/) in a Game 1 road win. My pick: Besiktas.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch out for the black eagles 🦅<a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJK_Basketbol</a> <a href="https://t.co/fydAL13NyF">pic.twitter.com/fydAL13NyF</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1772305009352282426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Bourg will go up 1-0

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

I expect this semifinal to be the most tactical one, and the team that dictates the game tempo should probably advice to the final. Both teams have reached this level for the first time but I like Bourg's chances due to its dynamic frontcourt and great creativity at point guard. [Hugo Benitez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/hugo-benitez/010449/) is back to his best level after the injury and Bourg should find the way to play in transition and win the game. My pick: Bourg. 

### Bourg will make Game 1 look easy

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

I can list many reasons to worry about Bourg. It comes off a loss in the French League. It may be outmatched in the paint by Besiktas's size and strength, etc. Bottom line: Bourg is the better team. Besiktas pulled out a near-miracle to rally from 21 down against Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in the quarters. Head coach Frederic Fauthoux's men should be ready. My pick: Bourg by a dozen.

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2024-03-26T18:00:00.000Z)

This budding rivalry between two ambitious teams from iconic cities takes a step up in status when Paris Basketball hosts London Lions on Tuesday in their best-of-three semifinals opener.

Stakes soar as Paris and London reunite in Game 1

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-london-lions/U2023/189/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2324-sf-a-g1-game-notes-facts-prs-lli/) | [Breawdown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/semifinals-breakdown-paris-basketball-vs-london-lions/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Paris enters this series on an 11-game winning streak after eliminating Joventut Badalona in the quarters. Opposite the team from the French capital will be the squad from the English capital; London stormed to the semis with a pair of double-digit do-or-die victories, including a 12-point road triumph against U-BT Cluj Napoca.

Led by playmaker TJ Shorts, Paris is 18-1 this season — and two of those wins came against London during the regular season. First, it was a 102-106 overtime thriller in London, then a comfortable 94-77 win on its home floor in Round 13. But London did not have David Nwaba nor Donte Granham in that last clash, while Sam Dekker got injured mid-game. Since that loss, London is 5-2 and a perfect 3-0 on the road.

[Paris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/paris-basketball/statistics/prs/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [London Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/london-lions/statistics/lli/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Leon Kratzer vs. Gabe Olaseni: The Game 1 battle in the paint on Tuesday will center around these two well-matched big men.

Expect a high-scoring showdown with Paris leading in scoring (99.5 ppg), while London is ranked third (92 ppg.). Sam Dekker was the hero for the Lions with a late three-pointer to overcome Prometey, while T.J. Shorts continued his stellar campaign through an weekly MVP award in a gain over Hamburg.

Paris Basketball-London Lions | Round 13 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

This budding rivalry between two ambitious teams from iconic cities takes a step up in status when Paris Basketball hosts London Lions on Tuesday in their best-of-three semifinals opener.



The best-of-three semifinals will begin on Tuesday with Group B winner Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse hosting Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in the highest-level game for either team in their 14 EuroCup seasons combined.

 Bourg welcomes Besiktas for first semis showdown 

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/190/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2324-sf-b-g1-game-notes-facts-bou-bes/) | [Breawdown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/semifinals-breakdown-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-vs-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Bourg held off Prometey Slobozhanske in their semifinal duel while Besiktas rallied from 21 down to upset Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. Frederic Fauthoux’s Bourg is 15-5 on the season, 9-1 at home and 2-0 against Turkish clubs, having defeated Turk Telekom Ankara twice. Dusan Alimpijevic improved to 5-2 as an underdog in EuroCup elimination games with his team's victory over Hapoel. However, all of his magic has come in single-game settings.

This marks uncharted territory for both teams. Besiktas will try to become the third straight Turkish team to reach the finals, following Frutti Extra Bursaspor with Alimpijevic and Derek Needham two years ago and Turk Telekom last season. Bourg seeks to become the first French finalist since Strasbourg in 2016.

[Bourg Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/statistics/bou/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Besiktas Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/statistics/bes/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Jeremy Morgan vs. Johan Mathews: Control of the perimeter will be paramount in Game 1 and these off-guards will be part of that battle.

Bourg welcomes Besiktas for first semis showdown

Over the course of this week, Euroleague.net will be posting interviews with the Hoop District team captains

Getting to know: Marco D’Uva, Team Bologna captain

We are just four days away from the launch of the [Hoop District](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-basketball-launches-3x3-content-creators-tournament-hoop-district/) tournament in Paris, France. Ahead of the action getting underway at the brand-new Adidas Arena, we spoke to [Marco D’Uva](https://www.instagram.com/marcoduva/) of [International Young Ballers](https://www.instagram.com/__iyb__/), the Team Bologna captain.

This is the second of six ‘getting to know’ interviews with the Hoop District captains that will be dropping this week. Here’s what we found out.

**How did you fall in love with the game of basketball?**

“I started playing basketball at five years old, just because my big brother also started and I wanted to do the same thing. Then I fell in love with this sport, with this game, because it’s beautiful. I’ve met very kind people, starting when I was on a basketball team as a kid. I grew up with them and I still play with some of them – it’s crazy. I love this game.”

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4dd_3YI1tO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4dd_3YI1tO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">Ver esta publicación en Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4dd_3YI1tO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">Una publicación compartida de International Young Ballers (@__iyb__)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**What made you create the International Young Ballers (IYB) account?**

“I started the International Young Ballers account because in 2017, I wanted to create a space where every young basketball player could share their best plays and games with the Instagram community. After one month, I received a lot of clips, a lot of videos, so I had to change the format of the page a bit. I then started to share content on basketball shoes, the EuroLeague, every league around the world, and guys can still share their plays on our stories. They tag us and we repost them. So International Young Ballers started in this way and it’s still growing, it’s still changing, but we’re ready for new challenges, like Hoop District, for example.”

**Is there a particular post from IYB that you remember fondly?**

“The best post in terms of views was when I went to the NBA store in Milan. There are some balls with NBA players’ hands – I just compared my hand with them and this post got 22 million views, so it’s crazy. I don’t know if we will have views like that again, but it was crazy. This is one of the best posts we’ve done.”

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiFk5Y7jZJL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiFk5Y7jZJL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">Ver esta publicación en Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiFk5Y7jZJL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">Una publicación compartida de International Young Ballers (@__iyb__)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**Have any EuroLeague players inspired you?**

“Gigi Datome, for sure. I met him when he played here in Rome when I was 13 years old. Then I saw him again 10 years later during a Milan game against Olympiacos, and he signed my jersey. He’s a very kind person and, for me, he’s a big influence. My idol in Italy is Gigi Datome.”

**Which EuroLeague player – past or present – shares your playing style?**

“Well, a little like Gigi Datome because he was a very good three-point shooter – and I love to shoot threes. I hope I’m going to make a lot of threes during the Hoop District tournament. I really like Datome’s game. I also like Nicolo Melli and Kyle Hines, but they’re big men and I’m thinner than them, so I’ll say Gigi Datome.”

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czq6Xx2otvy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czq6Xx2otvy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">Ver esta publicación en Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czq6Xx2otvy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">Una publicación compartida de International Young Ballers (@__iyb__)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**What criteria did you look for when picking your Hoop District team?**

“First of all, I thought about my best friend. He grew up with me and I played with him since I was a kid, so I wanted to give him an important opportunity. For the girls, I chose people from the Rome 3x3 community, which is growing, and I wanted to give them this opportunity."

**Which Hoop District team could be the trickiest to face?**

“I think Team Barcelona and Team Paris will be very tough to face, but we are ready.”

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1mZMGRsSKP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1mZMGRsSKP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">Ver esta publicación en Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1mZMGRsSKP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">Una publicación compartida de International Young Ballers (@__iyb__)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**What does it mean for you to be a Team Captain?**

“For me, it is a crazy opportunity. I am really proud about this, and I am really proud to represent Italy and Bologna, which is ‘Basket City’. It is an opportunity, but there is also some pressure because, although ‘Basket City’ knows that we ready, they want us to win and do good plays. There’s pressure, but I’m very happy to be the captain of Team Bologna, so I’m very proud about this.”

Javier Gancedo chats with Paris Basketball forward Tyson Ward about his maiden season in the EuroCup and what it would mean to win it all.

Tyson Ward, Paris Basketball: 'It's going to be a pretty good series'

Paris Basketball is having one of the best-ever seasons in the BKT EuroCup, having reached the semifinals with an 18-1 record as the top offensive team in competition history. Paris raised its competitiveness in a very unconventional way, bringing in head coach Tuomas Iisalo and six players who played for him on a very successful Telekom Baskets Bonn team last season. One of them is forward [Tyson Ward](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyson-ward/012610/), whose all-around performance has allowed him to be one of the pillars of his new team.

Ward is averaging 11.7 points on strong shooting (65.8% 2FG, 39.0% 3FG, 86.8% FT), 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and a PIR of 14.2, having started all 19 games until now. Ward hopes that Paris continues its run and gets the four wins the club needs to qualify for the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

"Being in the EuroCup for three years now and then going into the EuroLeague would be an incredible thing. You bring a different type of love for the game in Paris, a different type of atmosphere, make it a major city for basketball and allow it to bring in a new age of basketball into the city," Ward told the official EuroCup website.

"It would mean the world to the guys in the locker room. That would mean better opportunities for the next year for the coaching staff. It would be great for the front office, the guys that have been here for five years, grinding and building the organization."

**Hello, Tyson. Congratulations on a great season. How much fun has it been to play for Paris Basketball so far and get that 18-1 record?**

"It's a blessing, especially to move leagues and still have that same success. It's definitely been a testament to all the work that we put in throughout the year. It's just been a lot of fun, especially with these guys. You know, winning is always fun for a team, but it definitely makes it extra special sharing it with new guys and some of the same guys that I've played with in the past."

**You came to Paris from Bonn, just like Coach Iisalo and five other teammates. Were you surprised to see that happening?**

"It's always a surprise. It doesn't happen too often, where you get some of the same guys. We talked about it over the summer with the guys that were going to be there and even the guys that were part of the team last year. It's just wild, but there's a lot of comfort in that. I would say you don't have to know as many new personnel going into a team, you have familiarity with play types and people, and what you expect with the attitudes or not attitudes, but how people are and how people react to certain things. So it definitely was and is a bonus."

"It's pretty remarkable for both teams to be able to accomplish such a feat."

**One of the new players who didn't come from Bonn is Nadir Hifi, who has had a big impact on the competition. How he is on and off the court?**

"He's a good kid, man. He has learned so much since the beginning. He is willing to learn and is not one of those kids that has an ego. It's always a positive thing with him, you can always talk to him. He's taking coaching well, and he's taking some of the leadership very well throughout the year. And you can see it as his games progressed throughout the year."

**Paris is breaking all the offensive records in the competition. It seems that you play easy run-and-gun basketball, but it is never easy. What's allowed you to play so fast and score so much?**

"I think that just comes with Coach's knowledge of personnel. He's got a lot of guys that like to get out and run, and when you get a lot of turnovers or when you get a lot of stops defensive early, it leads to those opportunities to get out and run. And that's the main strategy for us, to get as many stops as possible and that will lead to transition. And Coach did a great job with picking his personnel to help break the record."

**This is your first EuroCup season. In general terms, how do you find the competition?**

"It's completely different. You've got high-level talent all the time, guys that have been in the EuroLeague, guys that are looking to go into the EuroLeague. This is the next step to get there, and every single night you are just playing against great talent. It is fun to be around and definitely a challenge coming into your matchup every single night."

Tyson Ward is averaging 11.7 points on solid shooting (65.8% 2FG, 39.0% 3FG, 86.8% FT), 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and a PIR of 14.2, starting all 19 games for Paris Basketball until now.

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: Tyson Ward, Paris

**You are going to play against London in the semifinals. Both teams were EuroCup rookies less than two years ago. How great is it to see both teams grow together and create a sports rivalry?**

"it's awesome. With such little time doing that, it's pretty remarkable for both teams to be able to accomplish such a feat like that. I know that they have some guys that are excited to play in the semifinals and I know we are as well. As the year progressed, I have learned about the rivalry a little bit. And I think with it being such a rivalry now, it's going to be a pretty good series."

**You beat London twice this season. Since then, London signed David Nwaba and brought back Sam Dekker. How different will the next games be, with more pressure and different lineups?**

"It's a lot of pressure for both teams. I don't think either team has been further than this and they have a lot of seasoned guys that have been in different environments where they had to win games and in high-pressure situations. I think we have had the same thing as well, so it's going to be a battle of who can maintain their identity and their brand of basketball. And as simple as it may be, who can stop what they do best, and that's what it's going to come down to. It's not going to be who has the better strategy or anything. It's just who can contain who for the most number of possessions. And that's what it's going to come down to for 40 minutes."

**Since you played against both teams during the season... What's your take on the other semifinal, Bourg vs. Besiktas?** 

"It's going to be fun to watch. Both teams definitely have a lot of talent. Bourg is, I would say, a similar style to us with how they play and so it's going to be a fun game to watch. I just don't know who's going to bring it out, to be honest with you. I mean, at the end of the day, we are going to focus on London first and then whoever's on the other side we will handle that accordingly. But as far as the other side, I don't really know what to expect from either team. I think both teams are very tough. Bourg has beaten us and so did Besiktas, so that shows you that they are very high-level teams as well."

**Paris has never been closer to playing in the EuroLeague in the 21st century. How great would it be for the club, the city and especially for you guys to win the EuroCup and qualify for the EuroLeague?** 

"It would be a huge accomplishment, especially for the city. Being in the EurocCup for two years now and then going into the EuroLeague would be an incredible thing. You bring a different type of love for the game in Paris, a different type of atmosphere, make it a major city for basketball and allow it to bring a new age of basketball into the city. As the time progressed, they have been building the fan base. I think that would be huge for the fan base to have something back behind. That's another thing to be a part of along with PSG as a major soccer club, and then to have us \[in the EuroLeague\], that would be huge. It would mean the world to the guys in the locker room. That would mean better opportunities for the next year for the coaching staff. It would be great for the front office, the guys that have been here for five years, grinding and building the organization. It would be huge. It would be a huge accomplishment for everybody involved."

Javier Gancedo chats with the Paris forward about his maiden season in the EuroCup and what it would mean to win it all. 

London Lions v Paris Basketball (2024-03-29T19:30:00.000Z)

Here are Javier Gancedo's recommendations for the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge games this week.

Fantasy Tips EuroCup Semifinals: And then there were four! 

Here come the BKT EuroCup Semifinals! The competition changed its format to best-of-three series for the semifinals and finals, which means EuroCup Fantasy Challenge managers have more opportunities to win! With just four teams available, anything can happen. We are not going to beat around the bushes and are recommending one player per team, plus an extra star which should do really well. Here they are: 

[T.J. Shorts, Paris Basketball (19.9 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/)

It is a no-brainer. This is the biggest week of the season for Paris and its superstar should live up to the massive expectations. Shorts did not have his best games against London: in fact, he had a career-low PIR of 6 in both teams' last meeting. Far from being a problem, I see this as a motivation. Expect Shorts to be at his usual level. 

[David Nwaba, London Lions (16.0 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/david-nwaba/012797/)

He has taken London to a new level with his physicality and all-around game. Nwaba has done everything well until now, averaging 14.3 points on great shooting (68.8% 2G, 44.4% 3FG), 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals and a PIR of 18.7. He is set to face Paris for the first time and is supposed to give London the extra push to go past its opponent. 

Angel Delgado, Jeremy Morgan, T.J. Shorts, Hugo Benitez and David Nwaba are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Semifinals tips: Games 1-2

[Angel Delgado, Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (15.8 credits) ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/)

Besiktas plays point-to-point, possession-to-possession basketball, looking for advantages. Bourg does not have a star center, which makes Delgado dangerous in this series. An elite rebounder (9.7 rpg.), Delgado is a reliable scorer (61.9% 2FT) in the paint. His free throw shooting (46.3% FT) is an issue but still, he is a great choice. 

[Hugo Benitez, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (7.1 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/hugo-benitez/010449/)

Arguably the only bargain left in the game. All managers should buy Benitez. In his first game after being injured, Benitez had 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a PIR of 19. Benitez also shined in the French League this weekend with 16 points, 7 assists and a PIR of 23. All for 7.1 credits: what's not to like about Hugo? 

[Jeremy Morgan, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (10.2 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jeremy-morgan/010431/)

Bourg plays team-oriented basketball but when it comes to putting the ball in the basket, Morgan is its first choice. Morgan comes off a strong game in the quarterfinals against Prometey: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a PIR of 22. He even did better in the French League this weekend, amassing a PIR of 29. The man of the moment! 

On the eve of his team hosting Game 1 of the semifinals against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, forward Isiaha Mike of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse returns to blog for EuroCupbasketball.com. 

Isiaha Mike, Bourg: 'We are prepared'

It's been a good season for us. The club did a really good job of putting together a team that really doesn't have any drop-off in terms of skill intensity. I feel like we have a roster of 12 guys that could all be starters on any given EuroCup team, and I think that's the major difference, honestly. Everybody is dynamic in their position this year as opposed to last year where we had a crazy scorer in Jordan Floyd. But then, on the flip side, his substitutions, Axel \[Julien\] and Frantz Massenat, who were more like distributing guards. So I feel like we are a more dynamic team, a team that is constructed to fight for 40 minutes. It's been great to get to know these guys and to get out there and fight with these guys. Everybody steps up to the challenge when it comes, and there's just no let up. It's beautiful to line up with guys that are going to go as hard as you.

### Signature win, playing with Risacher

Our biggest regular season win was probably beating Gran Canaria at home. When we were in second place, there was a point in the season when we were like two or three wins behind them. They dropped a few, and the fact that we could take number one just started to get more and more real. And when we got the opportunity to play them, we beat them. When we played them in Gran Canaria, Hugo \[Benitez\] had just got hurt, and I think JeQuan \[Lewis\] was still hurt, so we weren't at full strength yet. When things like that happen throughout the season for teams, it takes a couple of games to kind of readjust to the vacuum that the injury creates, but once we saw them again in the second half of the season, we were rolling at that time. It felt really good to beat them and make a statement win, because it just feels like, even still, that there are critics out there that don't think we are the real deal. But it is what it is. We know what we are capable of.

"We have a roster of 12 guys that could all be starters on any given EuroCup team"

Our team is so strong, it makes it hard for teams to scout us. There are so many things you can try to do, but if you try to take anybody away, it's just going to open up somebody else. And we are the type of team that if we see that you are open, we are going to tell you to shoot the ball. We are very encouraging to each other, and it's beautiful, it's really beautiful. We're all out there just trying to win. We don't really care who gets to shine as long as we are the winners at the end of the day.

Of course, Zaccharie Risacher gets a lot of attention but he is a super humble kid. All he cares about is working hard and trying to be great. He is a great kid and deserves everything that's coming towards him. And he might be the number one draft pick in the in the NBA. That's crazy to me! It's super impressive to see the things he's doing, and he does them so efficiently and so consistently that I forget that he's only 18 – often – and it's like, "OK, yeah, that's that's why you are about to be a top three pick in the NBA." I'm so happy for him. I hope he can finish the season strong and solidify that first pick. Or even if it's not the first pick, he will go to a team that will build around him or put him in a position to be successful at the next level, because that kid right there, he's a hard worker.

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse forward Isiaha Mike averages 12.5 points, 3.9 assists, 1.7 steals (6th overall) and a PIR of 13.1 in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup season.

2023-24 EuroCup highlughts: Isiaha Mike, Bourg

### Facing Besiktas in the semis

I am really, really looking forward to playing against Besiktas. It is going to be a big test for us. We like to fight, but I think Besiktas are probably the biggest fighters of both groups, as they have shown in the postseason so far. I didn't really get a chance to watch them much during the regular season but when we went to Turkiye to play Turk Telekom Ankara, we were in Istanbul for a little bit before, and we got a chance to watch them play Bursaspor. And they just dominated Bursaspor. They are a really tough team that crashes the offensive glass really hard and makes it hard for teams to score on them. It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out: at the end of the day, it comes down to who wants to wants to win more. Defensive rebounding is going to be a big thing. Winning 50-50 balls is going to be a big thing. Whoever comes on top in those categories, in my opinion, is going to be the winner of the series. 

"There are critics out there that don't think we are the real deal. But... we know what we are capable of."

I think we are prepared. Offensively we probably have the edge, as we have played against Gran Canaria and Hapoel. That's not always going to be the deciding factor in these games, so if we get the lead, we really have to fight to keep it, because what they did against Hapoel was incredible, man, like, unbelievable. It takes a lot of heart to come back and do that. But like I said, the team that shows a lot of fight will win. We've just got to show that we are bigger fighters.

I think the home-court advantage definitely gives us a little edge because we have done really well at home in the regular season. But at the same time, Besiktas has come into hostile environments and won, so hopefully we can change that narrative. Experience is the main factor that that kind of makes the critics count us out. I think that they don't realize that we also have some experience, maybe not EuroLeague or postseason EuroCup experience, but we do have guys that have won throughout their careers, whether it be in college or high school or at the pro level and some other level. We have winners, too, and we built a winning culture this season. We just got to build on our principles and stay true to what we have been doing this season and not try to play any hero basketball. Just do what we have been doing throughout the year and we will see what happens! 

The two series will open in France on Tuesday, with the two regular season group winners hosting the first contests on the best-of-three series. The second legs will be on Friday night with Game 3, if necessary, next week. 

This week: The BKT EuroCup Semifinals begin

[Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/190/)

The semifinals will begin at Ekinox, where Group B winner Bourg hosts Besiktas at 19:00 CET. Bourg held off Prometey Slobozhanske in their semifinal duel while Besiktas rallied from 21 down to upset Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. Frederic Fauthoux’s Bourg is 15-5 on the season, 9-1 at home and 2-0 against Turkish clubs, having defeated Turk Telekom Ankara twice. Dusan Alimpijevic improved to 5-2 as an underdog in EuroCup elimination games with his team's victory over Hapoel. However, all of his magic has come in single-game settings. 

This marks uncharted territory for both teams. Besiktas will try to become the third straight Turkish team to reach the finals, following Frutti Extra Bursaspor with Alimpijevic and Derek Needham two years ago and Turk Telekom last season. Bourg seeks to become the first French finalist since Strasbourg in 2016.

[Paris Basketball vs. London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-london-lions/U2023/189/)

Adidas Arena will be the site when Group A winner Paris tips off against London at 20:45 CET. Paris enters this series on an 11-game winning streak after eliminating Joventut Badalona in the quarters. Opposite the team from the French capital will be the squad from the English capital; London stormed to the semis with a pair of double-digit do-or-die victories, including a 12-point road triumph against U-BT Cluj Napoca.

Led by playmaker TJ Shorts, Paris is 18-1 this season — and two of those wins came against London during the regular season. First, it was a 102-106 overtime thriller in London, then a comfortable 94-77 win on its home floor in Round 13. But London did not have David Nwaba nor Donte Granham in that last clash, while Sam Dekker got injured mid-game. Since that loss, London is 5-2 and a perfect 3-0 on the road.

This week: The EuroCup Semifinals begin

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2024-03-29T17:45:00.000Z)