Marko Pecarski is competing in the BKT EuroCup for the first time as a major contributor. And the 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys center is also performing with the peace of mind of finally playing his own game.

Marko Pecarski finally playing his own game at Lietkabelis 

[Marko Pecarski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-pecarski/005656/) is competing in the BKT EuroCup for the first time as a major contributor. And the 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys center is also performing with the peace of mind of finally playing his own game.

Pecarski has averaged 10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.0 assist through four games with Lietkabelis, which is still looking for its first win in Group B.

This is a big season for the 24-year-old Serbian as he competes in the EuroCup for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign, when he appeared in eight games and collected totals of 7 points and 7 rebounds in 34 minutes.

“I want to show that I'm also a dominant big man at this level,” Pecarski, who averaged 4.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12 minutes per game in the 2017-18 EuroCup campaign, tells David Hein. “This season I want to play my game, to do all the stuff that I do great but at even a higher level. And also the stuff that are not my strengths, I want to show that I can improve on them.

"I have a lot to show at this level. It's simple. I don't want to talk about stats or anything, but I can play my game and perform great at this level.”

The best plays of 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys big man Marko Pecarski through the first four rounds of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Pecarski's top plays so far in 2024-25

Pecarski arrived in Lithuania this summer in Lithuania after playing last season with the Turkish club Denizli Basket, where he posted 11.1 points to go with 5.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists. But perhaps most meaningful were this trio of stats: 41.0% three-point shooting, 2.4 offensive rebounds per game and just 12 turnovers for the season, giving him just 12 total turnovers in 609 minutes over 24 games.

"I'm very versatile offensively – shooting, offensive rebounds. But people don’t pay much attention to those things especially when you talk about big guys,” he adds. “But just 0.5 turnovers shows I do not make mistakes and am very safe on the ball to make good decisions. I think that is what teammates that play with you respect and that coaches respect. That shows that you are calm, that you know your team and your coach can rely on you.”

This season is also big for Pecarski because it’s the first time he’s playing in a European competition as a foreigner.

“You have a responsibility as a foreigner to perform every single game and carry a lot for the team,” the Serbian says. “And I think the season in Turkiye is where I became much stronger. I learned how to handle all of that weight and all of that pressure. And I think that was like a perfect preparation for me for something like the EuroCup.”

Last season, Pecarski had two big games against Anadolu Efes Istanbul – 15 points and 9 rebounds in his first game against the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague side, then 23 points and 8 rebounds the second time around. He also had a big 27-point, 11-rebound double-double against Manisa, as well as 26 and 14 against Darussafaka.

“That is the reason why I came to Turkiye and why I accepted that challenge, to be able to play as a foreigner against such big clubs,” Pecarski explains. “It's different when you're playing in an upper league and you're a local player. There is a different kind of pressure when you play as a foreign guy. And it felt great because I felt like I succeeded in some of my goals: to successfully perform as a foreigner and to establish myself as a player in such a big league abroad.”

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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; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7AG6QMN_AX/?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">A post shared by Marko Pecarski (@marko_pecarski)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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Another reason Pecarski cites for his success this season is being back together again with head coach Nenad Canak, who coached the center at the youth level at Mega Belgrade and also when he played at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in 2017-18 and part of the following season.

“When I started my professional career \[with Partizan\] I was very young, but I had a very good relationship with him and when he called me everything was feeling good,” he says. “I have big, big trust in him and what we talked about, and we have a great relationship.”

With the comfort of a coach who has known him for many years and the confidence from last season, Marko Pecarski feels right at home with the pressure of needing to perform in the EuroCup – and playing his own game.

More Lietkabelis News

The Serbian center has been one of the Lithuanian team's star players this season

Anthony Cowan Jr. had an integral role in Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius recording its first win of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season, finishing with the highest PIR of any player on a winning team in Round 3 and thus earning himself MVP of the Round honors.

Round 4 MVP: Anthony Cowan Jr., Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius

[Anthony Cowan Jr.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/) had an integral role in Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius recording its first win of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season, finishing with the highest PIR of any player on a winning team in Round 3 and thus earning himself MVP of the Round honors.

In a 63-86 road triumph over Joventut Badalona, Cowan accumulated a PIR of 33. The Wolves guard scored 26 points, going 2 for 2 on two-pointers, 4 for 6 on three-pointers and 10 for 10 on free throws. He also had 4 assists, 3 rebounds and drew 9 fouls. This is Cowan's fourth MVP of the Round honor, having secured this honor three times in the 2022-23 season.

The highest PIR in Round 4 belongs to Jaroslaw Zyskowski of Trefl Sopot, who had a 37 PIR, yet it came in a 92-83 loss at Buducnost VOLI Podgorica. Zyskowski netted 33 points, making 4-of-4 two-pointers, 5-of-6 threes and 10-of-12 free throws, while also pulling own 4 rebounds and drawing 7 fouls. 

Umana Reyer Venice duo [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/) and [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mfiondu-tshimanga-kabengele/012796/) both had a 32 PIR in their team’s 105-83 defeat at Valencia Basket on Thursday night. Wiltjer erupted for a career-best 34 points, as well as posting 4 rebounds and 1 assist, while Kabengele had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. 

Rounding out the list of top performers are [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) of U-BT Cluj Napoca and [David De Julius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/david-de-julius/013250/) of Aris Midea Thessaloniki, with both players having a PIR of 31. Simpson had 28 points along with 8 assists and 2 steals as Cluj thrashed Veolia Towers Hamburg 67-103, while DeJulius scored 30 points on 10-of-14 two-point shooting, in addition to amassing 2 assists and 7 drawn fouls in Aris's 68-78 loss against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem.

Congratulations to Red Legend, our fourth winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Red's team, The Outsiders Vol.3, posted a score of 221.2.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 4 winner

Congratulations to Red Legend, our fourth winner in the 2024-25 [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Red's team, The Outsiders Vol.3, posted a score of 221.2.

The team featured the following lineup: Zavier Simpson of U-BT Cluj-Napoca as team captain, Noa Essengue and his teammate Ben Saraf of ratiopharm Ulm, Ante Tomic of Joventut Badalona and Mfiondu Kabengele of Umana Reyer Venice as the other starters. Jared Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem was his sixth man, while Adam Mokoka of Cluj, Giga Janelidze of Reyer, Maxime Courby of Cosea JL Bourg en Bresse and Axel Bouteille of Bahcesehir College Istanbul made up the rest of the bench. Dejan Radonjic of Bahcesehir was the head coach.

The prize for finishing first in Round 4 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season!

We have a steady leader in the overall standings, too, as Bert Bjelobradic's squad named Rodijaci i Kumovi has a total of 739.00 points after the first four rounds and is ahead everyone else for the second consecutive season. Trades are now open for Round 5. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!

Valencia Basket had an enjoyable Round 4 clash with Reyer Venezia, scoring 105 points and maintaining its unbeaten record.

Balance, pace and threes allowed Valencia to rise past Reyer

Valencia Basket earned [a convincing 105-83 win over the visiting Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-soars-over-reyer-to-remain-unbeaten-105-83/) on Thursday night, which allowed the Spanish side to stay undefeated – together with Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse – atop the Group B standings.

This time, the Spaniards had to deal with the absence of [Stefan Jovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/stefan-jovic/004863/), who was dealing with the unfortunate death of his father. [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/chris-jones/profile/010568/), meanwhile, remains out, so head coach Pedro Martinez was left with the less experienced duo of [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/) and [Goran Filipovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/goran-filipovic/004548/) at the point.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔥 𝙑𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙎 🔥<br><br>¡Nos llevamos una victoria CORAL en la Fonteta en el primer partido de este jueves veneziano! 💪<br><br>Esta es para ti, brate Stefan 🧡<br><br>🟠 <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> 105<br>🔴 <a href="https://twitter.com/REYER1872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@REYER1872</a> 83<br>🏆 J4 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a><br>🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/bthetravelbrand?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bthetravelbrand</a> <br><br>Y ahora... ¡¡a por la segunda!! 🧡 <a href="https://t.co/tQmFv8nZgh">pic.twitter.com/tQmFv8nZgh</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1846987877713944685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It didn’t affect the four-time BKT EuroCup champion, though, as it only trailed once on the night (0-2) and enjoyed double-digit advantages for the last 27 minutes of the game, even reaching a 31-point difference in the fourth period. A 16-2 run early in the second allowed Valencia to escape 40-24 and from then on, the gap did nothing but grow until the end of the contest.

Such a peaceful trip to victory was based on three pillars: balance, pace and three-pointers.

The first one was achieved by a solid scoring night by all of Valencia’s players, as Coach Martinez used 12 in the game and all of them scored. Even [Sergio de Larrea](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/eurocup/players/sergio-de-larrea/010750/), who had just four minutes worth of experience in the competition heading into Round 4, netted 7 points in the first four minutes of the game to start the party before later finishing with 11 after shooting a perfect 5 for 5 from the field.

Pace was another key to Valencia’s victory, as the home team tried to exploit Reyer’s absences by playing high-tempo basketball and taking advantage of its opponent’s mistakes. As such, Valencia got 21 points off Reyer’s turnovers and 18 off fast-break points.

And finally, Valencia continued to shine from beyond the arc, as it did in the last game when it scored 20 to set a new club record and tie the competition’s best mark. This time, Valencia made *just* 11 out of 33 attempts (33.3%), but it was way more than what Reyer achieved from behind the arc (6 of 23, 26.1%).

Game News

Pedro Martinez's side surpassed the 100-point mark for the third straight game, with all 12 players scoring

Valencia Basket v Umana Reyer Venice (2024-10-17T17:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket scored 105 points for the third straight game as it beat Umana Reyer Venice 105-83 in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroCup season.

Valencia soars over Reyer to remain unbeaten, 105-83

Valencia Basket grabbed its fourth win in as many games in the BKT EuroCup after defeating 105-83 Umana Reyer Venice at La Fontenta on Thursday evening. Despite missing Chris Jones and Stefan Jovic at point guard, the hosts managed to take control of the game early in the second quarter and never looked back. Valencia improved to 4-0 as Reyer, which was without injured players Xavier Munford, Tyler Ennis, Jordan Parks and Davide Casarin, dropped to 1-3 after losing three in a row.

Semi Ojeleye paced the winners with 16 points, Matt Costello added 14 in less than 17 minutes and Sergio de Larrea had a perfect shooting night with 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field. Reyer’s Kyle Wiltjer led all scorers with career-high 34 points, while Mfiondu Kabengele posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Carl Wheatle finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds in the losing effort.

Despite Reyer becoming the first team to score through Wiltjer, Valencia didn’t need too long to get things going thanks to an unstoppable De Larrea, who contributed his first 7 points in the EuroCup in the first four minutes of the game. His last bucket also started a 9-0 run, capped by a triple by Josep Puerto that set a 16-7 edge for the home team. The guests didn’t step back, though, and took advantage of a solid rebounding job and free throws to make it 19-17 soon after. Even though Nate Sestina showed up from beyond the arc to extend it to 24-18 entering the last minute, back-to-back buckets by Alessandro Lever allowed Reyer to stay close, 24-22, at the end of the first period.

Valencia regrouped after the break with a strong 7-0 spark behind the first three of Goran Filipovic and a couple of productive actions by Jaime Pradilla. Better rebounding and six points from two plays by Ojeleye made it a double-digit difference, 37-24, for the first time into the game after 14 minutes. Sestina dug it deeper, 40-24, right after the timeout, closing a 16-2 run for his team so far in the quarter. Valencia kept momentum on offense with many other players joining the scoring duties, while Reyer found Wiltjer, who had 9 points in the last five minutes of the period, to avoid a premature sinking. A couple of free throws by the Canadian forward made it 52-38 at the break.

Wiltjer remained the only player able to score for the visitors early in the third period and netted 5 quick points to bring his team within 54-43, but Reyer couldn’t go further as back-to-back triples by Costello and Brancou Badio returned a safe advantage to Valencia, 62-45, in the blink of an eye. Kabengele joined Wiltjer on offense to try to help Reyer get closer, but no one else contributed and Valencia used a couple of strong plays by Nate Reuvers to build a 20-point difference, 71-51, for the first time into the game. Free throws by Pradilla and Puerto established a 77-54 advantage when the third period finished.

With the outcome in no doubt, the difference remained above the 20-point-mark for the remainder of the contest. Kabengele and Ojeleye swapped baskets for a while when the latter increased the gap to 25 points, 87-62, with almost eight minutes remaining. Costello and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui joined forces later to increase it to 90-62, and it got even worse when De Larrea dunked it to make it a game-high 31-points difference, 97-66, with four minutes to go. From then on, the only question to be answered was when and who would score to help the visitors reach the 100-point mark. It ended up being Reuvers, who made it 101-76, before a couple of free throws by Jean Montero and another score by Reuvers saw Valencia score – and finish on – 105 points for the third straight game.

The Spaniards used a strong 16-2 run early in the second quarter to escape

During an exclusive interview with Euroleague.net’s Javier Gancedo, Valencia Basket big man Jaime Pradilla discusses his team's start to the EuroCup season, playing under coach Pedro Martinez, and much more.

Jaime Pradilla: 'La Fonteta will always be very special for Valencia'

Valencia Basket is widely seen as one of the top candidates to win the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup title this season, and one player making a telling contribution for *Las Taronjas* is big man [Jaime Pradilla](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jaime-pradilla/010393/), who is now in his fifth campaign with the team.

The 23-year-old has averaged 8.0 points through Valencia’s first three EuroCup games, but he has also contributed in a number of different ways, tying for fifth place overall in rebounds (9.0 rpg.) and averaging 2.7 assists and 3.0 fouls drawn for a team-high PIR of 17.3.

During an exclusive interview with [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)’s Javier Gancedo, Pradilla reflects on Valencia’s unbeaten start to the campaign, the team’s red-hot offense – it has scored 105 points in each of its last two games – and how he is finding life under head coach Pedro Martinez.

Jaime Pradilla leads Valencia Basket in PIR (17.5) after three games.

Jaime Pradilla, 2024-25 EuroCup highlights

**Hello, Jaime. First of all, congratulations on last week’s win, rallying from a 17-point deficit against a very good team like U-BT Cluj-Napoca. What allowed you guys to bounce back and win the game?**

"Thank you. As you said, Cluj is a team that is doing things right on and off the court. The atmosphere in Cluj surprised me – their fans gave them great support. We were soft at the beginning of the game, a little bit out of focus. We got back into the game with more energy in the second half, trying to grab the victory. Slowly but steadily, we got back into the game and in the end, we ended up getting the win."

**Valencia scored 20 three-pointers, tying an all-time EuroCup record. In which moment did you think something like that could happen?**

"Well, I saw that both teams were hitting a lot of shots without missing much. I had a bigger feeling in the first half because by the start of the fourth quarter, I was fully focused on winning the game, so I didn't have that feeling. In the end, getting a record is very positive, very cool. I am happy that we broke a club record, too."

"It is the kind of court where you always want to play."

**Had anyone told you about the basketball atmosphere in Cluj? Is it also a wake-up call, knowing that on paper, Valencia will be the better team in most games all season long?**

"Yes, we were told that it is very hard to beat Cluj on the road, that the team was doing things really well, but I was surprised with their fan base. They cheered for the team until the very end and it was great to play in an atmosphere like that, it was pretty cool. It is the kind of court where you always want to play. It is great to play in front of atmospheres like this."

**You have had a great start to the season. Is it a logical evolution of your game, with more experience, or did you change anything in preseason?**

"Well, I came back from a summer playing for the national team \[at the 2024 Olympic Games and the pre-Olympic tournament in Valencia\], so I returned to the team with good rhythm and that allowed me to get into the team's dynamics a bit easier. At the end of the day, it is good to change your daily mentality, try to give your best and even when you always try to do it, be steady and keep working, because good things will happen in the end."

**Pedro Martinez is your head coach now. He did a great job with many big men in the past, helping them develop. Do you see this as an opportunity?**

"Yes, definitely. I believe he can help me a lot in my career and am learning a lot from him. He is someone who can help me take a step forward as a player, and I learn a little bit more from him every day. He is a very demanding coach but this is what we are here for, and this is what helps you get better, too."

"It comes down to being the best team at the right time."

**This is your second EuroCup season. You also have three EuroLeague seasons under your belt. What do you like most about the EuroCup?**

"I think it is a competition in which if you do things right, you are rewarded with playing the EuroLeague. In the end, by playing the EuroCup, you get to know a lot of cities. It is a very nice competition, too, with two very difficult groups in which you have to fight to be first, and then be ready to be in your best shape during the knockout rounds. In the end, it comes down to being the best team at the right time and being the best team at home."

**Valencia is a four-time EuroCup champion. It is usually the favorite every time it plays in the competition. Is that an extra responsibility, being the main candidate to win it?**

"Well, I don't think we have to put a stamp on that. We have to keep working every day and keep improving. We also play in a really strong domestic league, really tough, so we have to go little by little and grow as a team. We are a young team. We are also a new team working together, so we have to work on our on-court chemistry and keep growing together, as well as doing so as individual players. Winning the EuroCup could be an option at the end of the season but right now, instead of thinking if we would win it or not, we have to think about the next game and see what the competition dictates."

**Speaking of pressure, how do you manage the pressure and stress of being a professional player? Is mental health something that should be more serious in professional sports?**

"I think it is something that is very important. It sounds like a cliché, but above all we are people first and then players. We have our lives outside the arena, outside basketball courts, and we also have personal problems or family issues. Just as you can have a bad day, we can have it, too, and people should understand that. At the end of the day, being able to manage your euphoria, being up or being down, is difficult. It is something to work on every year, just as you work on your physical skills in the gym, on your shot or your individual skills on the court. You have to work on it – it is very important."

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_sz4FyoTTB/?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/p/C_sz4FyoTTB/?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; 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**Are you following the EuroCup? Has anybody surprised you so far?**

"Well, I have been watching games from our group and then those with Spanish teams, especially Gran Canaria, since my friend [Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/carlos-alocen/010623/) plays there. So I have to name a player, that will be Carlos Alocen. I am very happy that he is playing there and doing so well."

**The last question has to do with La Fonteta, your home court, which is in its last year hosting Valencia games. It is also the most historical building in EuroCup history. How great would it be to say goodbye with a title?**

"It would be great, but I have to say that even if we go to a new arena, a new challenge, La Fonteta will always be very special for us, for everyone at the club. Like you said, we played a lot of big games there, won titles and it is always going to be part of our club's history. It is a place that all Valencia fans will always hold close to their hearts. I live close to what will be Roig Arena and see it every day – it will be impressive. We haven't been able to be inside the arena so far this season, but I am sure we will go there soon. It is moving forward very quickly!"

More Valencia News

The Spain international sat down with Euroleague.net's Javier Gancedo ahead of his team's Round 4 clash against Umana Reyer Venice

Ratiopharm Ulm is known for producing some of the best young talents in the world, and Wednesday night saw the EuroCup team take on NBA franchise the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. But why? Let's find out.

Ulm and its basketball program attracts NBA attention

Last night, ratiopharm Ulm took on the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Yes, you read that correctly.

Many people must have been wondering why Ulm, currently playing the BKT EuroCup, received an invitation to play the Blazers in an exhibition game in the United States – a contest that saw Portland come up on top, 110-100. [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)’s Javier Gancedo decided to throw a little light onto it by talking to Ulm sports director Thorsten Leibenath.

It has been a process that started many years ago in a very simple way: Ulm wanted to do things differently and its owners encouraged management to think outside the box. Leibenath joined Ulm as head coach in 2011 and became the club's sports director in 2019. Since then, Ulm has invested in young players, Brazilian talents and low-profile college players that have gone on to become Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars.

"Ulm was known for going in an unconventional way even before I started there. Credit goes to my bosses, who always felt: 'Let's try to be unique in our approach.' And back in the days when nobody was investing into German players, my bosses hired Robin Benzing and Per Guenther. And back then, their approach paved the way to where we are now," Leibenath told Javier Gancedo before the game against Portland.

"We would always go with young and unknown players and would be willing to take bigger risks. We also signed \[future EuroLeague and NBA center\] [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) when he was really young and gave him a big role. So, this is nothing totally new."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗯ü𝘁 𝗮𝘂𝗳 𝗡𝗕𝗔-𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘁 🏀<br>Eine temporeiche Partie mit zahlreichen Highlights gegen <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trailblazers</a>🚀<br>Am Ende unterliegen die Uuulmer 𝟭𝟭𝟭:𝟭𝟬𝟬<br>Die Reise geht weiter, nächster Stopp 📍 Oldenburg<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/uuulmer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#uuulmer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/weareone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#weareone</a> <a href="https://t.co/9R2KOyhkg8">pic.twitter.com/9R2KOyhkg8</a></p>&mdash; ratiopharm ulm (@ratiopharmulm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ratiopharmulm/status/1846784544684281895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Its young players program did the rest. When Ulm introduced its Orange Academy, things got even better, up to the point of winning the German League title in 2023.

"When we were able to take the next step is when we knew we would have our practice facility. And with that, we had another good reason to convince young players to come to Ulm,” Leibenath continued.

“And I think the latest success in the past years has a lot to do with our infrastructure, having the campus and having better opportunities to develop players. And then obviously, once you have success with one or two guys... we had success with \[NBA guard\] [Killian Hayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/killian-hayes/009661/), we had success with [Cristiano Felicio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/cristiano-felicio/011230/), then the next things fall into place. Then we got the next young talent, we got the next Brazilian player, and those things happened as a logical consequence because some of the pieces of the puzzle really worked out."

### Why did the Portland Trail Blazers invite Ulm for a game?

Portland's invitation came, in large part, due to a couple of Ulm youngsters who are doing very well this season and are projected first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Born in 2006, [Ben Saraf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ben-saraf/011437/) – viewed by many as at least a lottery pick – averages 14.5 points, 6.0 assists and a PIR of 14.8 in four EuroCup games. Then there is [Noa Essengue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/noa-essengue/011391/) – likely a mid-to-late first-round pick – who was also born in 2006 and has posted 12.2 points on solid shooting (66.2% 2FG, 40.0% 3FG), 5.8 rebounds and a PIR of 17.5 in four EuroCup games.

Understandably, the Blazers wanted to see them both up close and personal – and there were many scouts from other NBA teams in attendance on Monday night, too. Asked about why Portland called Ulm and not any other team, Leibenath agreed on the fact that the club's policy regarding young players made it happen.

"I was curious. I had to ask the question, 'How come you're interested in having us over there?' and this was one of the reasons that they explained to me: ‘It would be nice to see your young players that are in the program,’" he revealed.

"So yes, that's why I believe it definitely has to do with that. And it also gets to a point where they are super cooperative with other NBA teams as well. So there will be a lot of teams coming to Portland and watching us practice, watching us play the game, so they get a live idea of some of our talents."

The top plays of ratiopharm Ulm duo Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue through the first four rounds of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Best plays of Saraf, Essengue this season

But from Portland, what was the opinion on Ulm as an organization, particularly one that has such a reputation for bringing through young talents?

“They’ve turned themselves into kind of one of the premier prospect-laden clubs, I would say, outside of the U.S.," Portland assistant GM Mike Schmitz told Rip City Radio, the Blazers' pregame radio show. "I’ve gone there multiple times over the last handful of years just to evaluate guys who ended up being drafted in the first round. 

"I was there in December 2023, have a friend on the staff who runs kind of their youth program there that gave me a tour of the facility, watched some prospects in practice, and then I mentioned to him, ‘Hey, I think we’re looking for another international opponent.' He connected me with their sports director who I’ve known for a long time, we started talking, and ultimately, we landed on this. 

"I know initially, they were searching to play multiple teams out here, it didn’t work out scheduling-wise, so we’re really thankful that they made the trek over, I think they landed yesterday \[Tuesday\] at like noon in Seattle, took a bus, had a practice and they head out tomorrow \[Thursday\]. So, a short trip, but hopefully a productive one for them and really cool how it all came together.”

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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; 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The only setback was flying to Portland in the middle of the season, but there was no other way. It has forced Ulm to be in the middle of a tour de force with six consecutive road games around the globe. Ulm beat Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius in the Lithuanian capital on October 8, played against Brose Bamberg on the road in German League action on October 12 and registered a loss against Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul on Monday, October 14.

After facing Portland, Ulm travels to Oldenburg, Germany for a German League game on October 19 and then faces Dreamland Gran Canaria in Spain on October 22. Its last home game was a German League showdown against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg on October 5, and its next game at ratiopharm Arena is scheduled on October 26.

"I think Portland didn't really check our schedule, they just reached out to me and asked: ‘Are you interested in playing a preseason game?' And I have to be honest, I was pretty surprised when they approached us,” Leibenath said.

“And we were even more surprised when they then said, 'Well, we would like you to come to the States.' Then we had to check if this is logistically possible. And after checking, we felt OK and said, 'Let's do this.' This would be a huge opportunity for us as an organization.

"We were in no position to say 'no' to that opportunity. Like, I felt going to the players and telling them: 'Well, we were asked to play an NBA game but our schedule is tight, so we decided against it.' I don't think that's an option. Everybody would love to get an opportunity like that. And for us as an organization, it's also a big accomplishment. It's a huge honor and we simply felt we cannot say no to it."

Ulm has achieved unprecedented success with its current policy, and losing players to bigger budget teams every summer doesn't seem to be an issue. With Leibenath leading the operation, Ulm seems to be ahead of everyone with its next-guy mentality.

"For some clubs whose only goal is to win the championship, it might be negative to lose a player who really developed well. For us, it's positive," Leibenath added. "It's something really satisfying that a player will leave home because we kept our promise. And this is the exact reason why we will get a new talent like that. We helped them to really make the next step, and these are some of the promises we made when we sign somebody."

Finally, Ulm's trip to the States was seen as an opportunity to get even better. Not only did NBA teams come to check the team out, but Ulm also did its homework.

"I'm sure a lot of people will go to [NBA.com](http://NBA.com), see Ulm and need to check again and try to find out who that is. So it's cool that we can bring Ulm basketball to the States, even though it's just for one game," Leibenath commented.

"We are super excited and one of the motivations behind it is learning from this experience. We can see a setup of an NBA game. We can see the arena. We can see how they organize everything around \[the game\]. We might check out their practice facilities. So for us this is also a great opportunity to learn, and that's why we're thankful for it."

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(Top photo: NBA - Coral Scoles-Coburn / Portland Trail Blazers)

More Ulm News

The Portland Trail Blazers defeated ratiopharm Ulm 110-100 (photo credit: NBA - Coral Scoles-Coburn / Portland Trail Blazers)

The German club made history by facing the Portland Trail Blazers, but how did the game come about?

BC Wolves duo Anthony Cowan and Andrew Andrews both impressed on Wednesday night as they led their team to a dominant 63-86 win at Joventut Badalona in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroCup season.

Cowan and Andrews shined for hungry Wolves against hapless Joventut

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius staged a major upset in Round 4 of the BTK EuroCup when the Lithuanian side romped to [an emphatic 63-86 win at Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/wolves-roar-back-to-sink-joventut-63-86-claiming-first-win-of-the-season/), sending shockwaves through the competition.

It was a stellar night for [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/), who capped a memorable individual performance with a game-high 26 points, shooting 6 of 8 from the floor (4 of 6 from three-point range) and 10 of 10 from the foul line.

[Andrew Andrews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-andrews/011248/) came back to haunt former club Joventut with 17 points, including some clutch triples which allowed the visitors to open up an insurmountable lead in the second half after edging ahead 35-36 at the interval.

Cowan acknowledged that Wolves were hungry for their first win of the season after losing their opening three games.

“We wanted to show that we are a winning team and that we’ve got a lot more to give,” the sharpshooting guard said in a post-game courtside interview. “A lot more games to go, but we wanted this one.” 

Vilnius head coach Alessandro Magro was just as pleased with a turnaround in his team’s approach. “We lacked energy and effort in the previous games and we wanted to put that right,” he commented. “I am really happy that everybody who stepped on the court started from that point. I hope this is just the first step in the process as we trust ourselves in what we are doing.”

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Wolves drained 11 three-pointers in total and 6 of them in the third quarter, when they raced clear into a 50-64 lead, having also hit 17 of 34 from two-point range and 19 of 22 from the foul line.

In contrast, Joventut endured a horrid shooting night as the hosts made only 13 of 31 shots from two-point territory, 7 of 24 from downtown and 16 of 25 free throws, having also committed 15 turnovers. The tepid performance prompted coach Dani Miret to pour scorn on his players.

“We had a very bad second half as we created nothing on offense,” he said. “They dominated us with their physicality and ideas, but the worst thing is how we finished the game. Total lack of focus and effort in the last few minutes.”

The visitors steamrolled their Spanish rival in the second half after dominating every department of a lop-sided contest

Joventut Badalona v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2024-10-16T18:30:00.000Z)

Jared Harper was the star man for Hapoel Jerusalem as it defeated Aris BC on the road in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroCup season.

Jared Harper turned from scorer to provider at Aris

When everything indicated that this might not be his night in terms of scoring, [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) came up with a brilliant idea: Why don’t I show the world how good of a playmaker I am too? And that is precisely what the Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem guard did in [his team’s 68-78 victory at Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/jerusalem-rallies-back-to-beat-aris-68-78/) on Wednesday night.

Coming into the game at Palais De Sports, Harper was the competition’s top scorer, averaging an eye-catching 23.0 points per game across the first three rounds. He scored 27, 23 and 19 points, respectively, in Jerusalem’s first three games of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup campaign, recording a league-high PIR of 26.0.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you Aris BC for a fantastic atmosphere and great hospitality!<br><br>🇮🇱🇬🇷❤️ <a href="https://t.co/bymRTEIiOm">pic.twitter.com/bymRTEIiOm</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Jerusalem BC (@JerusalemBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerusalemBasket/status/1846641751593005494?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yet, on Wednesday, Harper faced one of the best EuroCup defenses as Aris had put together a special plan to contain the flamboyant Jerusalem star. Harper finished the first half in Thessaloniki on just 3 points, having gone 1 for 5 from inside the arc and 1 for 4 from the charity stripe. However, he found another way to contribute on offense – by producing 6 assists after 20 minutes.

Aris showed defensive steel in the second quarter and held Jerusalem to just 9 points for a 39-32 cushion at halftime. The hosts even took a double-digit lead (45-35) midway through the third, but Harper provided his team with an extra gear to turn the game around. His seventh assist of the night led to an [Austin Wiley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/austin-wiley/013278/) bucket from inside to bring the guests within 49-45 with 2 minutes remaining in the third. The 27-year-old guard went on to net 8 points and produce as many as 8 assists in the last quarter, creating the majority of Jerusalem’s 30 fourth-quarter points.

Jared Harper guided Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to a victory at Aris Midea Thessaloniki in Round 4 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup.

Jared Harper's fourth-quarter heroics at Aris

Twenty-six, in fact. Yes, those 26 points he helped contribute played a key role in him finishing with a 14-point, 15-assist double-double. After the contest, Harper didn’t forget to hail his teammates for the work they put in throughout.

“It was a whole team effort,” Harper told EuroLeague TV. “Coming in a tough environment like this and being able to win, it takes being special. We started up good, but we let them get back in the game. They got a lead, \[but\] we stayed with it, we fought through and \[got\] a great team win.”

Having grabbed its third straight win, Jerusalem are set to host a U-BT Cluj-Napoca side that comes from [a 67-103 thrashing of Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cluj-thrashes-hamburg-on-the-road-67-103/). Yet, boasting a player who can pull off such scoring and playmaking displays in Harper, the Israeli side have nothing to fear this season.

The Jerusalem guard continued his fine form in Greece

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2024-10-16T17:00:00.000Z)