Domestic Cups: Cedevita, Buducnost lift trophies, Besiktas ends 13-year wait

### Montenegro: Buducnost secures 17th Cup trophy

McKinley Wright scored 34 points to lead Buducnost VOLI Podgorica to a dramatic 105-104 win over a city rival Studentski Centar in the final of the Montenegrin Cup that took place in Bijelo Polje. This is 17th Cup title for Buducnost, which avenged its 1-point loss against the same rival last season.

In a high-scoring affair, teams traded leads for four quarters. Buducnost went in front 98-92, but the score was tied at 101-101 with 70 seconds left. In the remaining time, Kenan Kamenjas delivered a key block on the defensive end for Buducnost, while Wright made free throws that secured the team another trophy.

Wright made 10 of 12 two-point shots, and also dished 5 assists. Fletcher Magee netted 21 points on 5 of 9 three-point shooting, Kamenjas collected 19 points and 9 rebounds, and Aleksa Ilic scored 13 in a win. Bernard Neal netted 30 in a losing effort.

### Spain: Gran Canaria sinks Valencia

In the all-EuroCup quarterfinal in the Spanish Cup, tournament host Dreamland Gran Canaria downed Valencia Basket 79-65 to reach the semifinals where it will play against Real Madrid.  Mike Tobey scored 19 on 9 of 9 two-point shooting with 7 rebounds, Joe Thomasson scored 14 points, while Andrew Albicy had 11 points and 7 assists. Jean Montero scored 15 for Valencia.

Gran Canaria had a fast start, with Andrew Albicy scoring 9 points to open a 19-10 first-quarter lead. Valencia stepped up defensively, and used a three-pointer from Josep Puerto to close within 27-25, but Gran Canaria scored the next 6 points before opening an 11-point lead in the final minute of the second quarter after a three from Joe Thomasson. Valencia cut within 45-40 midway through the third quarter, but Mike Tobey and Pierre Pelos combined to score the first 9 points in an 12-1 run that extended the lead to 57-41. Valencia tried to get its offense going, but Thomasson’s triple with 5:53 minutes left made it 72-55, and Gran Canaria was on its way to victory.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">💛💛💛 <a href="https://t.co/wtLpq1rmNY">pic.twitter.com/wtLpq1rmNY</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1890527184940315020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Slovenia: Cedevita wins fourth straight

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has won its fourth consecutive Slovenian Cup trophy after blowing past Krka Novo Mesto 102-71 on Friday night in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Gregor Glas led Cedevita with 21 points. DeVante Jones scored 17, Aleksej Nikolic had 15 and Jaka Blazic 14 points in a win.

Krka was ahead 23-25 after 10 minutes, but it was all Cedevita after that. Glas and Blazic had 13 points each at halftime as Cedevita held 53-42 lead, only for the margin to keep growing after the break. Lead was at 80-58 after 30 minutes, and as big as 33 points in the fourth as Cedevita cruised to another domestic trophy.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sl" dir="ltr">POKAL JE NAŠ!<br><br>✅ 24. pokalna lovorika za Zmaje<br>✅ 4. zaporedna pokalna lovorika <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PokalSpar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PokalSpar</a> <a href="https://t.co/EqOY7aGi47">pic.twitter.com/EqOY7aGi47</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (@KKCedOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL/status/1890510353592639594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Turkiye: Besiktas ends long wait

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul is the first finalist of the 2025 Turkish Cup after beating Mersin 83-63 on Friday night in Sanliurfa. It is the first time Besiktas is back to the Cup finals since 2012, which is the only time in club history it won this trophy. In Sunday’s final, Besiktas will face Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

In the semis against Mersin, Besiktas used a 15-2 run to open a 21-8 lead in the first quarter, which turned out to be the lead it never relinquished. Mersin did half the deficit in the second, and got within 3 points in the third quarter, but Besiktas put together a 0-14 fourth-quarter run, which included a four-point play from Dustin Sleva, to pull away to 76-57 and secure a victory.

Jonah Mathews paced Besiktas, the BKT EuroCup quarterfinalist, with 18 points. Dustin Sleva collected 15 and 6 rebounds, Berk Ugurlu had 11 points, and Kyle Allman scored 10 in a win.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Şanlıurfa&#39;da final üçlüsü Dustin Sleva&#39;dan! 💫 <br><br>🦅 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Be%C5%9Fikta%C5%9FFibabanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeşiktaşFibabanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Potan%C4%B1nKartallar%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PotanınKartalları</a> <a href="https://t.co/knGe83J5Gk">pic.twitter.com/knGe83J5Gk</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş Fibabanka (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/1890448809852846094?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### France: Bourg out of Leaders Cup

AS Monaco beat Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse 101-88 to book a place in the Leaders Cup semifinals. Mike James finished with 31 points, and Elie Okobo scored 18 in Monaco’s win. Joel Ayayi had 15 for Bourg, while Maksim Salash, Hugo Benitez and Jean-Marc Pensa scored 11 apiece in a loss.

James scored 16 points in the first two quarters, including 10 consecutive that helped Monaco turn a 19-28 deficit into a 35-30 lead. But Ayayi strung together 6 unanswered points for Bourg, starting a late second-quarter run that put Bourg up 46-51 at halftime. The teams kept trading blows throughout the second half before Strazel first set-up Petr Cornelie for an alley-oop dunk three-point play, then Strazel nailed a three-pointer to help open an 85-79 lead with 5 minutes to go. Okobo’s 5 points, including a three-pointer, and a James-to-Cornelie alley-oop opened a double-digit lead, 93-81, as Monaco booked its place in the semifinals.

### Poland: Trefl out in quarterfinals

Trefl Sopot was ousted in the quarterfinals by King Szczecin, 77-97, ending Trefl’s bid to win Polish Cup crown for the second time in three years. In this clash, Trefl was down by double digits already in the first quarter, and the deficit was as big as 21 points midway through the second, and 30-52 at halftime, as Szczecin was well on its way to the semifinals. Isaiah Whitehead led the winners with 21 points, and James Woodard scored 17. Meanwhile, Jakub Schenk had 14 points and 7 assists for Trefl, and Geoffrey Groselle also scored 14 in a loss.

On Friday night, EuroCup teams are competing for Cup trophies in Turkey, Spain, Poland, France, Slovenia and Montenegro.

### Slovenia: Cedevita can defend its trophy

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana leaned on a strong fourth quarter to beat Triglav 63-83 in the semifinals of the Slovenian Cup and reach the final. The winner of the last three editions of the Slovenian Cup, Cedevita held a 54-60 edge after 30 minutes but held Triglav to just 9 fourth-quarter points while scoring 23 itself.

The first two quarters were tight, too, with Cedevita leading 16-18 at the end of the first period and 37-44 at halftime, but Zvezdan Mitrovic's side pulled away in the fourth frame. Brynton Lemar was Cedevita's top scorer on the night with 14 points, followed by Gregor Glas and Bine Prepelic with 11 apiece.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sl" dir="ltr">Polfinale: ✅<br><br>Čakamo tekmeca v finalu.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> <a href="https://t.co/vSxZF4THCy">pic.twitter.com/vSxZF4THCy</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (@KKCedOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL/status/1890112174758195678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Israel: Jerusalem loses in the final

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem had beaten Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the last two Israeli Cup finals, but it suffered an 87-72 defeat in the final on Thursday night. Yonatan Alon's men were outscored by Maccabi in the first three quarters (20-15, 16-15, 30-14) and trailed 66-44 heading into the final frame. Despite Jerusalem winning the fourth period 21-28, it wasn't enough as Maccabi secured a well-earned win.

Maccabi's Rokas Jokubaitis starred with 20 points and 8 assists, Levi Randolph netted 19 points against his former team, and Jasiel Rivero paired 13 points with 8 rebounds. Jerusalem's Jared Harper had 23 points in defeat.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">תוצאת סיום <a href="https://t.co/c5EGHCbiQh">pic.twitter.com/c5EGHCbiQh</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Jerusalem BC (@JerusalemBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerusalemBasket/status/1890142111452000360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Spain: Joventut's dream is over

Joventut Badalona came into the Spanish Cup hoping to lift the trophy for the first time since 2008, but it wasn't to be as Unicaja Malaga came away with a 100-83 quarterfinal win in Gran Canaria. 

Despite the two teams being deadlocked at 42-42 at halftime, Unicaja took control of the contest in the third period by outscoring Dani Miret's team 31-19 to make it 73-61 after 30 minutes. Joventut was unable to turn things around in the fourth as Unicaja won the quarter 27-22 to come away with the eventual 100-83 victory. Sam Dekker top scored with 23 points, with Devon Dotson adding 15 and Kassius Roberson and Ante Tomic both nettting 12.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🔐 Final. Diem adeu a la Copa<a href="https://twitter.com/unicajaCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@unicajaCB</a> 100-83 <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Penya1930</a><br><br>🎯 Sam Dekker: 23 punts<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CityOfBadalona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CityOfBadalona</a> <a href="https://t.co/V7YXTtIpEq">pic.twitter.com/V7YXTtIpEq</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1890119605466853440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Joventut and Hapoel Jerusalem both fell to defeat

Domestic Cups: Cedevita Olimpija advances to final

Hapoel Tel Aviv BC and Patrick Beverley have mutually reached an agreement to terminate the former NBA guard's contract.

Hapoel Tel Aviv, Patrick Beverley mutually terminate contract

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) has reached an agreement with [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) to mutually terminate the former NBA guard's contract, the club announced on Thursday.

Beverley averaged 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 14 BKT EuroCup games for Hapoel as it secured second spot in Group A and thus a bye to the quarterfinals.

"The club and player Patrick Beverley reached an agreement this evening (Thursday) on the mutual termination of the contract, thus the player will leave the team," Hapoel said in a statement posted on Twitter. "We thank Patrick for his contribution to the club and wish him great success in his future endeavors."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">המועדון והשחקן פטריק בברלי הגיעו הערב (חמישי) להסכם על סיום הדדי של החוזה, ובכך השחקן יעזוב את הקבוצה. <br><br>אנו מודים לפטריק על תרומתו למועדון ומאחלים לו הצלחה רבה בהמשך דרכו.<br><br>ג&#39;ורג&#39; חינאס, המנהל המקצועי: &quot;אנו מודים לפטריק על התקופה שבה היה חלק מהמועדון.<br>המסירות והמחויבות שהפגין… <a href="https://t.co/scPB54ejyU">pic.twitter.com/scPB54ejyU</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1890125936269328891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hapoel's signing of Beverley last summer came amongst much fanfare, with the 36-year-old returning to play on the old continent for the first time since December 2012. 

He had spent 11 and a half years back in the United States prior to landing in Israel, making 737 appearances in the NBA for the Houston Rockets (2013-17), Los Angeles Clippers (2017-21), Minnesota Timberwolves (2021-22), Los Angeles Lakers (2022-23), Chicago Bulls (2022-23), Philadelphia 76ers (2023-24) and Milwaukee Bucks (2023-24).

Beverley previously played in the EuroCup for Spartak St. Petersburg (2011-13) and in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Olympiacos Piraeus (2009-10), having helped the Reds reach the 2010 EuroLeague Championship Game.

More Hapoel Tel Aviv News

He made 14 appearances for the Israeli team in this season's EuroCup campaign

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul used finished the game on a 12-4 run to defeat Anadolu Efes Istanbul 85-80 in the quarterfinals of the Turkish Cup, while Hugo Benitez’s last second free throw lifted Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse into the French Cup semifinals with a 64-65 victory over AS Alcase

Domestic cups: Besiktas tops Efes in Turkish quarterfinals, Bourg advances in France

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul used finished the game on a 12-4 run to defeat Anadolu Efes Istanbul 85-80 in the quarterfinals of the Turkish Cup at Besiktas Akatlar Arena. Kyle Allman scored Besiktas final 8 points, including the free throws with 21 seconds remaining to ice the game. He led all scorers with 26 points, while Emanuel Terry posted 20 points and 12 rebounds and Dustin Sleva scored 10. Elijah Bryant paced Efes with 25 points and 8 assists, Jordan Nwora added 21 points and 7 rebounds and Erdan Osmani netted 12 points. In the semifinal on Friday, Besiktas will face Mersin, which eliminated Tofas 101-90 earlier Wednesday thanks to 27 points from Justin Cobbs.

Nwora scored 6 points in the first 3 minutes as Efes grabbed a 2-10 lead. Besiktas rallied behind Sleva and Allman to tie it at 19-19 before P:J. Dozier put Efes ahead 19-20 at the end of the first quarter. Yigit Arslan gave Besiktas its first lead early in the second quarter and it held on to a 43-41 halftime edge. Bryant helped Efes take control in the third quarter with the lead reaching 49-63 on an Osmani triple. The difference was still 9 several minutes into the fourth quarter when Besiktas scored 8 straight points to get back into the game and set up Allman’s strong finish.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Muhteşem atmosfer, harika geri dönüş! 💪 ING Türkiye Kupası&#39;nda Yarı Finaldeyiz! 😎<br><br>Beşiktaş Fibabanka 85-80 Anadolu Efes | Maç Sonucu<br><br>🦅 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Be%C5%9Fikta%C5%9FFibabanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeşiktaşFibabanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Potan%C4%B1nKartallar%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PotanınKartalları</a> <a href="https://t.co/g4SnmT7Cqw">pic.twitter.com/g4SnmT7Cqw</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş Fibabanka (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/1889762476989841492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### French Cup: Benitez lifts Bourg in quarterfinal thriller

Hugo Benitez’s last second free throw lifted Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse into the French Cup semifinals with a 64-65 victory over AS Alcase. The contest appeared headed for overtime after the French second division side led for the majority of the game. With the score tied,  Djordje Milosevic was called for a foul on Benitez when the latter penetrated and he sank the game-winning foul shot.

Kevin Kokila led the winners with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Xavier Castaneda added 9 points and 7 assists for Bourg. Yvann Mbaya paced Alcase with 13 points and 13 boards.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">VICTOIRE ✅<a href="https://twitter.com/basket_asa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@basket_asa</a> - 64 🆚 65 - JL Bourg<br><br>Sur le fil, l&#39;équipe se qualifie en demi-finale de Coupe de France 🏆<br><br>🙏 Félicitations à <a href="https://twitter.com/basket_asa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@basket_asa</a> pour son parcours et son public chaud bouillant durant le match <a href="https://t.co/HwJdvO3C0E">pic.twitter.com/HwJdvO3C0E</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1889781184067932300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Efes will meet Mersin on Friday in the semifinals

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana glided into the semifinals of the Slovenian Cup on Monday night after coming out on top against Ilirija in their quarterfinal series. The BKT EuroCup side won 97-80 in Game 1 back on December 26, then secured an 86-68 victory in Game 2 on Monday.

One of the star men in Game 2 was DeVante Jones, who finished with 13 points, 8 assists and 5 steals. Ziga Daneu paired his 16 points with 8 rebounds, Rok Radovic and Jaka Blazic added 11 points apiece, Gregor Glas scored 9 points, and Joan Beringer finished with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Blazic ended a fruitful first quarter in style for Cedevita with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give his team a 32-19 lead after 10 minutes. From there, Cedevita remained in control. Ilirija did outscore Zvezdan Mitrovic’s troops in the second and fourth quarters (8-12, 21-25), but a convincing third quarter by Cedevita (25-12) all but put the win on ice at 76-55. Cedevita will face KK Triglav Kranj in the semifinals at the Slovenian Cup Final Four.

Zvezdan Mitrovic’s men downed Ilirija in Game 1 and Game 2

Cedevita books Slovenian Cup semifinal spot after winning quarterfinal series

Starting at the Quarterfinals phase, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jersualem will host all its home games at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, while Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv will continue playing its home games at Samokov Arena in Samokov, Bulgaria.

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to host remaining EuroCup home games in Belgrade

Euroleague Basketball has approved [Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem/jer/)'s proposal to play its remaining home games of the 2024-2025 BKT EuroCup season in Belgrade, Serbia.

Starting at the Quarterfinals phase, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jersualem will host all its home games at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, while [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) will continue playing its home games at Samokov Arena in Samokov, Bulgaria.

Euroleague Basketball will continue to monitor the evolution of the situation, while staying in contact with all related parties, and will announce any modifications regarding the above decisions in the case that the situation in the region returns to normal.

Defending Israeli State Cup champion Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem advanced to the final for the third year running after holding off Bnei PenLink Herzliya 89-86 on Sunday night in the Israeli capital 

Jerusalem advances to cup final in Israel

Defending Israeli State Cup champion Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem advanced to the final for the third year running after holding off Bnei PenLink Herzliya 89-86 on Sunday night in the Israeli capital in the first semifinal. Jerusalem will face the winner of Monday’s second semifinal, pitting Maccabi Playtikas Tel Aviv against Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, in Thursday’s final.

Jared Harper scored 24 points to lead Jerusalem, Yovel Zoosman tallied 18 points and 9 rebounds, Justin Smith netted 15, Khadeen Carrington 11 and Chris Johnson paired 10 points with 9 boards. Chris Silva carried Herzliya with 21 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and Xavier Sneed scored 18 in defeat.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">בחמישי! גמר! גביע!!! <a href="https://t.co/bvqHUxWRJl">pic.twitter.com/bvqHUxWRJl</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Jerusalem BC (@JerusalemBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerusalemBasket/status/1888690111614771611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jerusalem started strong with the game's first 7 points before Herzliya turned things around to lead 14-21 and held a 20-25 advantage after 10 minutes. The visitors held a slim lead through most of the second quarter, but Jerusalem scored the last 7 points of the half, taking the lead on Zoosman free throws, to hold a 42-39 edge at the break. 

There were a handful of lead changes in the third quarter, which finished with Jerusalem ahead 65-64. Johnson scored twice in a 9-0 Jerusalem run to open the fourth quarter, but was unable to hold onto its 10-point lead as Sneed evened things at 79-79 with a triple with 3 and a half minutes to go. Silva made it 81-83 a minute later, but Harper scored the next 5 points and – after Ethan Burg tied it again – Zoosman gave Jerusalem the lead for good and Austin Wiley iced the game from the line.

Jared Harper led the team to its third straight final 

Kerem Konan knows he will make mistakes on the court, but he is also aware that there are ways to make up amends in order to retain his minutes. The 20-year-old appreciates the trust he has earned from Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul head coach Dusan Alimpijevic. And it has pushed him forward in his development. 

Kerem Konan: 'Coach Alimpijevic makes me feel free on the court'

[Kerem Konan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kerem-konan/011379/) knows he will make mistakes on the court, but he is also aware that there are ways to make up amends in order to retain his minutes. The 20-year-old appreciates the trust he has earned from [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/) head coach [Dusan Alimpijevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/alimpijevic-dusan/). And it has pushed him forward in his development. 

Konan has averaged 2.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists in just over 12 minutes per game for Besiktas in 18 EuroCup games, with the Turkish side making the BKT EuroCup Playoffs and setting up an eighthfinals matchup with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana.

This is Konan’s second season in the EuroCup after he tallied 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.7 rebounds in 13 minutes per game last season. He had some of his best numbers in the three-game semifinal loss to Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse with 3.7 points and 5.3 rebounds.   

“Playing in the EuroCup semifinals at the age of 19 was very exciting and enjoyable," he told David Hein. "We played basketball in incredible atmospheres. Bourg was a good team and playing \[Game 3\] in France was really not easy, it was a difficult away game. We lost the game. I was very upset but at the same time I had gained experience and I was happy for that. 

“Yes, I wanted to win the cup, but it didn't happen, that's why I always look ahead. I focus on my future and I want to work harder to win things.”

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Konan really took a major step forward last season. In the second half of the EuroCup Regular Season, he played at least 14 minutes in six of eight games, compared to none in the first half of the regular season. And he averaged 22 minutes in the semifinals.

The Denizli native recalled a message he received from Alimpijevic before the season. 

“He said to me there are five big players and you are the last one to play. But you are training very well and if you continue like this you will start playing," Konan recalled. "I always worked hard and I got that time from him and he started to trust me. He always told me to be energetic and I was always trying to do whatever I could."

He had his best two games last season against Veolia Towers Hamburg, picking up 10 points in Round 6 and then scoring 14 points in Round 15. 

All that was a matter of belief from the coach, Konan said.

“It is really important in basketball that the coach trusts you, and I think the coaches who make you feel this are very special. You feel free on the court and you are not afraid. And this is how you gain confidence.”

Konan has long been one of Türkiye’s top young talents. He has played for the country’s youth national teams starting in 2021 and he helped Türkiye take second place at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2022. The next summer Konan averaged 6.1 points at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023, where Türkiye beat United States in the game for third place. That was the first time that a Turkish national team – regardless of age – has ever beaten the United States. 

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Konan left Denizl for Bandirma in 2019 at age 16 for the famed youth program at Banvit. 

“It was one of the best years of my life. I still miss it so much. I had so many memories and friends," Konan remembered. "There were so many talented players, but everyone was fighting each other and improving themselves."

After just one season, the club folded and Besiktas bought most of Banvit’s top talents, bringing in Konan, Alperen Sengun, Sehmus Hazer, Furkan Haltali, Sadik Emir and Eray Akyuz among others. 

“I was very sad when Banvit closed. It was a really great place. Yes, I moved to Besiktas with many of my friends, but this was our experience. When we came here, of course, there was no atmosphere like Banvit, but it was not bad.”

Konan played for Besiktas’s U19 team in 2020-21 but had a front row seat in watching Sengun dominate for Besiktas’s pro team to the tune of 18.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks. That earned him the Turkish League MVP award and ended up helping him get drafted to the NBA with the Houston Rockets. 

“He was incredibly impressive, but he was very talented and admired for what he did. At that age he was fighting on the court and he was very confident. This was very obvious and I saw these things in him,” Konan said. 

“We don't talk much. Of course I watch and follow him. He still does incredible things. As a Turk, it's very nice that he is doing these things and it inspires me a lot.”

And now, thanks to the confidence from coach Dusan Alimpijevic, Konan is making inroads in inspiring other youngsters across the country. 

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