Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has a new head coach to finish its BKT EuroCup campaign as the club parted ways with Simone Pianigiani, the club announced. The new man on the bench is Zoran Martic.

Cedevita Olimpija makes coaching change, replaces Pianigiani with Martic

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has a new head coach to finish its BKT EuroCup campaign as the club parted ways with Simone Pianigiani, the club announced. The new man on the bench is Zoran Martic.

"Due to the health problems of coach Pianigiani, club and the coach have agreed to part ways", the club said.

Under Pianigiani, who took over this past summer, Cedevita Olimpija has been winless through 13 rounds of the EuroCup regular season, and the team was eliminated from playoff contention last week when it lost 105-100 against Prometey Slobozhanske. During his time in Ljubljana, Pianigiani was forced to miss time due to health issues, including missing three EuroCup games in late October and early November.

For Martic, 58, this will be a return to the club where he already was a head coach, and guided the team to the 2018 Slovenian League title. This will actually be the fourth stint with the club for Martic, who coached Olimpija's youth categories in the 1990s, and served as an assistant with the club from the Slovenian capital from 2008 to 2010.

Martic has spent the last four years in Japan with Chiba Jets. During his three-decades long coaching career, Martic also coached at Geoplin Slovan, Rogla, Loka Kava, Kraški Zidar, Helios, Zlatorog and Krka in Slovenia, Szolnoki Olaj and Kormend in Hungary, Budućnost Podgorica in Montenegro, Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus, Khimik in Ukraine, MZT Skopje in North Macedonia and Trefl Sopot in Poland.

Cedevita Olimpija started the new year with a coaching change.

It was a memorable year in the BKT EuroCup, with a high level of play, young talents proving their value, spectacular plays and a long overdue first-time winner, as Dreamland Gran Canaria won the title in its 15th season in the competition. Let's look back and enjoy what 2023 had to offer. 

Top 10 EuroCup moments of 2023

### 10\. Cluj's turnaround

U-BT Cluj-Napoca turned things around in 2023. At the start of the year, Cluj was in its first EuroCup campaign and things were looking good, but the team went on to lose six of its last seven regular season games and missed the playoffs. Cluj made the right off-season moves, keeping a core of players led by Karel Guzman, Patrick Richards and Andrija Stepanovic, and adding experienced players like D.J. Seeley and Jarell Eddie. Backed by thousands of fans at U-BT Arena, Cluj ranks third in Group B with a 9-4 record and is looking forward to an even brighter 2024! 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What an atmosphere! 🏴🏳️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/eurocup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#eurocup</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cluj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cluj</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/haideU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#haideU</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKTEuroCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BKTEuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/95bHyNVwRW">pic.twitter.com/95bHyNVwRW</a></p>&mdash; U-BT Cluj-Napoca (@UBTCluj) <a href="https://twitter.com/UBTCluj/status/1729067286143594508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### 9\. Trento finally takes off

Dolomiti Energia Trento endured a tough run in the competition, amassing a 5-28 record in the previous two seasons and starting the 2023-24 campaign with three consecutive losses. Since Trento was 0-6 in the 2020-21 EuroCup Top 16, that meant Trento had lost 37 of its last 42 EuroCup games. Quinn Ellis hit a game-winner to lift Trento to a 92-93 road win against 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys, which would be a turning point. Trento managed to win six of the next 10 games, including a resounding 76-98 road victory at Gran Canaria. Now Trento enters 2024 on a roll. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">QUINN ELLIS WINS THE GAME 🚨🚨🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/AquilaBasketTN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AquilaBasketTN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MagicMoment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MagicMoment</a> <a href="https://t.co/EfuHLhwwJ2">pic.twitter.com/EfuHLhwwJ2</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1717239630532153407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### 8\. Hapoel's fan base stands out

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv made its EuroCup debut in the 2022-23 season and its fans have been almost everywhere since then. It was common to see thousands of Hapoel fans, proudly wearing their red and white shirts, all around Europe. In its first EuroCup game in 2023, Hapoel edged the London Lions 93-95 behind massive support from its fans, who stayed to meet the team afterward. Such great support took Hapoel to new heights, as the team reached the EuroCup Quarterfinals in its first-ever season. Hapoel kept Coach Danny Franco and the same core of players and now ranks 10-2 in Group A.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">הרעדנו את כל העיר!<br><br>ועכשיו? חוזרים הביתה כי בראשון כולנו באים, כמו חולים, לדחוף את הפועל ברבע גמר הגביע מול הפועל ירושלים.<br><br>כרטיסים אחרונים כאן -&gt; <a href="https://t.co/1NZv5PbK2P">https://t.co/1NZv5PbK2P</a> <a href="https://t.co/TjnFb7axQy">pic.twitter.com/TjnFb7axQy</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1613490430355861504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### 7\. Ulm keeps finding talent

ratiopharm Ulm made sure 2023 was a year to remember, claiming its first-ever German League championship and reaching the EuroCup Quarterfinals. Finding great players in different markets was one of the keys to its success. Former head coach and current sports director Thorsten Leibenath promoted former player Anton Gavel to the head coaching spot, and signed new, fresh players such as Juan Nunez, Yago dos Santos and Bruno Caboclo. When some of those stars left, Ulm signed star big man Trevion Williams, do-it-all swingman Georginho De Paula and forward L.J. Figueroa. Ulm dug deep to find great talents and to keep winning. 

Trevion Williams and Juan Nunez are two of the best players in the BKT EuroCup this season.

Williams, Nunez: young strars in Ulm

### 6\. Paris brings out young stars

Paris Basketball qualified for the EuroCup Playoffs last season and is well on its way to getting there in 2024. It has been competitive while giving young players a chance to shine. Ismael Kamagate and Juhann Begarin were serious contenders for the Rising Star award last season. Kamagate led the 2022-23 EuroCup in blocked shots (1.5 bpg.) and ranked fourth in rebounds (8.4 rpg.). This season, Nadir Hifi has stormed into the competition with his flashy moves and all-around energy. At age 21, Hifi leads the EuroCup in scoring with 18.3 points on 44.2% three-point shooting (taking 6.6 per game). 

 

Nadir Hifi of Paris Basketball averages 15.8 points, 3.0 assists and a PIR of 13.0 so far in this BKT EuroCup season.

Nadir Hifi is pure showtime

### 5\. Omic sets several all-time records

Alen Omic stood out again in the 2022-23 season, averaging 10.8 points and 8.9 rebounds for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. He also climbed many spots in a lot of all-time charts. Omic became the all-time leader in PIR (1,944) and rebounds (888), both on the defensive (579) and the offensive (309) ends. Omic is also first in two-point shots made (544), third in fouls drawn (461) and fifth in scoring (1,342 points). A EuroCup champion with Unicaja Malaga in 2017, Omic has taken part in 131 EuroCup games, which is the fifth-most all-time, and his 103 starts are tied for second place. EuroCup legend! 

 

7DAYS Magic Moment: Omic dunks after a superb move with Dragic!

### 4\. Paris, London on the rise

Many fans and experts alike had doubts when Paris Basketball and the London Lions joined the EuroCup as newcomers before the 2022-23 season. Both teams managed to reach the playoffs last season: London fell against Joventut Badalona in the eighthfinals and Paris knocked off 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys before losing to Gran Canaria in the quarterfinals. This season, Paris and London are again in the same regular season group and doing even better. Paris leads Group A with a league-best 12-1 record and London also seems to be playoff-bound at 9-4. Big teams in big cities! 

 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Paris Basketball vs London Lions l Round 13 <a href="https://t.co/vIEMElKjRD">pic.twitter.com/vIEMElKjRD</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1739778296240386219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### 3\. Turk Telekom's historic run 

Few expected Turk Telekom Ankara to be as strong in the first half of 2023, but the club went all the way to the EuroCup Finals for the first time. Accordingly, Erden Can was chosen as the EuroCup Coach of the Year, Jerian Grant became the 2022-23 EuroCup MVP and Axel Bouteille joined him on the 2022-23 All-EuroCup First Team. Turk Telekom had a 13-5 regular season record and then eliminated Germani Brescia, ratiopharm Ulm and Prometey Slobozhanske to storm into the finals, where Gran Canaria prevailed. Turk Telekom is back for more in the 2023-24 season. 

 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The results are in, your 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝗠𝗩𝗣 is <a href="https://twitter.com/JerianGrant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JerianGrant</a>! 🏆<br><br>Only one thing left to accomplish for Jerian Grant and <a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TT_Basketbol</a> 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/Np7aDMK7JX">pic.twitter.com/Np7aDMK7JX</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1653338582864609285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### 2\. Prometey makes history

It was one of the best stories in sports: a Ukrainian team based in Latvia, Riga, far away from its home country, competing in a European competition and almost going all the way. Prometey put together a great team led by Caleb Agada, D.J. Kennedy, Ondrej Balvin and the spectacular D.J. Stephens, who dunked his way onto the All-EuroCup First Team. Prometey was first in Group A with a 14-4 record and KO'd Veolia Towers Hamburg and Promitheas Patras to get to the semifinals. Many Ukrainians came to support the team in Riga and everywhere else. Prometey remains a contender this season. 

 

D.J. Stephens had five dunks and six three-pointer in Round 16, leading Prometey Slobozhanske to a 96-82 home win against Mincidelice Jl Bourg en Bresse. Check them out!

Stephens is a human highlight reel!

### 1\. Gran Canaria finally wins it

Accordingly, it was a dream season for Dreamland Gran Canaria, even though the new sponsor arrived after winning the EuroCup title. Gran Canaria had a league-best 15-3 regular season record, which meant it was done traveling in late March. Gran Canaria was undefeated at home all season and beat Frutti Extra Bursaspor, Paris Basketball, Joventut Badalona and Turk Telekom Ankara en route to lifting the trophy in front of its fans. John Shurna was chosen as the 2023 EuroCup Finals MVP and made it to the All-EuroCup First Team, Olek Balcerowski was the 2022-23 EuroCup Rising Star and EuroCup veterans A.J. Slaughter, Andrew Albicy and Oliver Stevic celebrated a long-awaited EuroCup crown. Bravo! 

 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A season to remember 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GranCanariaCB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7DAYSEuroCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7DAYSEuroCup</a> trophy lift 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/n3SdoYviO6">pic.twitter.com/n3SdoYviO6</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1653874264603336704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

2023 was another banner year for the BKT EuroCup. The competition bore witness to great players and great teams, thrilling performances and memorable moments. Photographers all over the continent followed the games closely all year long to document the drama. Here are 23 of the best photos from the EuroCup in 2023. 

EuroCup 2022-23, Regular Season Round 10, Mike Cobbins of Brescia dunks with authority

EuroCup 2022-23, Regular Season Round 10, Juhann Begarin of Paris finds no opposition on his way to the rim

EuroCup 2022-23, Regular Season Round 13, Mohamed Diawara of Paris blocks the shot of Miquel Salvo of Gran Canaria

EuroCup 2022-23, Regular Season Round 14, Joshua Hawley of Ulm flies to block the shot of Joventut's Andres Feliz

EuroCup 2022-23, Regular Season Round 15, Big man Aleksander Balcerowski of Gran Canaria throws down a two-handed dunk against Trento

EuroCup 2022-23, Regular Season Round 16, Zach Auguste of Bursaspor finished the play with style against Venice

EuroCup 2022-23, Regular Season Round 17, Matteo Spagnolo of Trento finds a way to shoot against Hamburg

EuroCup 2022-23, Eighthfinals, DJ Stephens of Prometey takes off for an uncontested slam

EuroCup 2022-23, Quarterfinals, Tyrique Jones dunks for Turk Telekom en route to the EuroCup Finals

EuroCup 2022-23, Semifinals, Andrew Albicy passes the ball behind Ante Tomic's back

EuroCup 2022-23, Final, AJ Slaughter of Gran Canaria dribbles past the defense in the EuroCup Finals against Turk Telekom

Eurocup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 1, Ronald March of Prometey reaches out to block the show

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 2, Rayjon Tucker of Venice finishes the play with power

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 4, Yoan Makoundou of Buducnost blocks Karel Guzman of Cluj

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 6, This time, Karel Guzman of Cluj finds no opposition on his way to the basket

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 7, Christian Mekowulu makes a statement for the Wolves in their maiden EuroCup season

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 8, Justin Cobbs returned to the EuroCup to play for Cedevita this time

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 9, Silvio de Sousa of Aris makes himself heard on defense against Quinn Ellis of Trento

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 10, Maksim Salash of Bourg becomes a wall on defense to get the block

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 11, Yogi Ferrell also returned to the EuroCup to join Buducnost

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 11, Trevion Williams of Ulm tries to avoid the defense of Gran Canaria's Nicolas Brussino

EuroCup 2023-24, Regular Season Round 13, Kyle Alexander of Hapoel throws it down against Hamburg

Dreamland Gran Canaria won its first EuroCup title in 2023

Enjoy this gallery of 23 of the best photos from the EuroCup in 2023. 

EuroCup, The best photos from 2023

Playing his eighth season in Italy out of nine as a professional in Europe, Reyer's Jordan Parks now has a second home.

Venice's Parks is living a love affair with Italy

Looking at [Jordan Parks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jordan-parks/011909/)' journey in Europe one thing stands out: there are a lot of stops in Italy. And the 29-year-old American is right in the middle of a love affair with Italia.

Parks is spending his second season with Umana Reyer Venice and the BKT EuroCup after helping the club last season reach the EuroCup Eighthfinals as well as the quarterfinals in the Italian League.

Parks' resume is not that common among Americans in Europe, many of whom bounce from one country to the next and gradually work their way up the ladder of leagues in a linear manner. Parks however is playing his eighth season in Italy of nine years in Europe.

"I am extremely confident in my work and I expected to be here. Maybe not specifically eight years in Italy but just being able to play the game and continue to grow and take steps forward in my career," Parks says.

The New York City native was close to having a more common career path early on, playing two years in Italy's second division with Trieste and then starting the 2017-18 season with Telekom Baskets Bonn in Germany and the Basketball Champions League. 

But Parks suffered a knee injury in October 2017 and needed surgery which kept him out the rest of the year. Instead of rehabbing in Germany or the United States, Parks decided to return to Trieste.

"I returned to Italy because I was still in the process of recovering and I never had surgery and never had any major injuries so it was a little uncomfortable and I didn't know what was going to happen next," he explains. "So, I figured why not go somewhere back where I was comfortable, where I knew people and knew how things work. And kind of give myself that sense of relief. And relieve a little bit of pressure off myself where I can go back and play and return to the player that I was. That was the greatest decision. I am happy I did that. Going back there offered me a situation where I could concentrate on myself 100 percent."

Jordan Parks Top Plays from 09/30/2023 to 12/29/2023

Best moments: Jordan Parks, Umana Reyer Venice

After missing the rest of 2017-18, Parks played the next season with Italian second division side Orlandina. And he debuted the following campaign in the Italian first division with Treviso, the club that had beaten Parks and Orlandina 3-0 in second division finals in 2019. 

"Ultimately that was my goal - to play Serie A. Treviso gave me my first opportunity. I was extremely thankful to them in trusting me to be a Serie A player. It was a little bitter going to Treviso because the previous year Treviso defeated us in the finals to move into Serie A. It was a little bitter, but I was ready," Parks recalled.

After one season with Treviso, Parks did almost the unthinkable for an American in Europe. In 2020, the then 26-year-old decided to drop to the second division and play for Napoli with the goal of winning the league title after failing twice before: with Trieste in 2017 and with Orlandina in 2019.

"That's the reason I went back to A2. I could have stayed in Serie A or I could have moved to other countries but I needed to get that feeling off my chest and win one. That was a great year, a great feeling," said Parks, who also played in Napoli with Josh Mayo, a teammate from his short stay with Bonn. "It also kind of helped me reassure myself that I am who I am. Before becoming a professional player, I just thought of myself as a winner. Obviously, falling short in those years I didn't second guess myself, but it didn't feel good. And Naples allowed myself to get back to winning and being a winner. That was very, very important for me."

Besides winning the second-division title as expected, being in Naples also was special for Parks because it felt like his home in New York City. Parks had already seen a good bit of different locations in Italy. He spent two years in Trieste in the northeast, was in Sicily at Orlandina, back around the Adriatic Sea at Treviso and then in Naples. After two seasons there, Parks returned to the northeast to play with his current club Reyer. 

Through all the years, Parks discovered a real love for Italy.

"I love so many things about Italy, most importantly the Italian culture. Changing countries and things like that can be a culture shock, but when I got here they made it super easy for me. I made many friends here, people I consider true friends with whom I will be friends after basketball who are Italian. It's kind of like a new home for me," he said. 

A home that Parks has grown to love.

Look back at all the action in the Regular Season Round 13 by checking out the best photos of the week!

Top 10 photos of Round 13

### Alviti's long-range shooting propelled Trento

Dolomiti Energia Trento kept plowing its way towards playoffs with [a 76-70 win over 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/dolomiti-energia-trento-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2023/127/). A major role in that home victory belonged to Davide Alviti. Trento's sharpshooter finished the game with 14 points on the strength of 4-for-5 three-point shooting and also had 3 assists and 3 rebounds. A pair of those triples came in the fourth quarter, each time with Trento holding onto a four-point lead. His final three-pointer, with just over 4 minutes to go, made it 66-59, forcing a Lietkabelis timeout, after which Trento never looked back.

Alviti's long-range shooting propelled Trento

### A week to remember for Kamenjas

Kenan Kamenjas had his EuroCup career high on Wednesday, but it was not enough for Buducnost VOLI Podgorica to avoid [a 77-79 home loss to U-BT Cluj Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/buducnost-voli-podgorica-u-bt-cluj-napoca/U2023/130/). Kamenjas had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals for a PIR of 24, each of those numbers his personal best in 16 career EuroCup games, and all accomplished it in just 20 minutes on the floor. What's more, that was his first game for Buducnost this season after he returned to the club after signing earlier this week. In fact, on Saturday, Kamenjas was playing a domestic league game against Buducnost, leading his former team SC Derby to an upset road win behind his double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds. Buducnost recognized a good thing when it saw one and hired him the next day. What a week for a 23-year old big man.

A week to remember for Kamenjas

### Beni used his chance to shine

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv set a club scoring record in [a 118-101 win over Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-veolia-towers-hamburg/U2023/124/) despite missing four of its top five scorers. One of the players stepping up was Gil Beni, a 25-year-old guard who had never played more than 19 minutes in a game entering Round 13. For the season, he had a total of 7 points before the game against Hamburg. But Beni used his chance on Wednesday, playing a team-high 31:47 minutes and scoring 14 points to go with 3 assists and 3 rebounds. His best EuroCup game yet helped Hapoel extend its winning streak to six games.

Beni used his chance to shine

### Paris thrived with Malcolm on the floor

Paris Basketball improved to a competition-best 12-1 record with [a no-doubt-about-it 94-77 win over the London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-london-lions/U2023/125/). Collin Malcolm was one of four Paris scorers in double figures with 13 points, having made 6 of 9 two-pointers. He did struggle elsewhere, shooting 0-for-3 from long range and 1-for-4 on free throws, but also collected 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 assists. What stood out during Malcolm's 24:42 on the floor is his +32 in the plus/minus column, which tracks the score difference when a player is on the floor. None of his teammates had a plus/minus higher than +17. Playoff-bound Paris thrived any time Malcolm played on Tuesday and took one step closer towards securing home-court advantage when those playoffs arrive.

Paris thrived with Malcolm on the floor

### Young Kraag paced Joventut to win

Joventut Badalona is another team that kept a winning streak alive, registering its fifth straight win [by downing Umana Reyer Venice 89-81](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/joventut-badalona-umana-reyer-venice/U2023/123/). In that one, youngster Yannick Kraag once again made the most out of his opportunity by having the best game of his EuroCup career. The 21-year-old forward finished as the team's leading scorer with 17 points after knocking down 6 of his 7 field goal attempts, including 3 of 4 triples and both of his free throws. His +13 in the plus/minus column was a game-high and his 21 PIR was second-best on Joventut. Kraag's points, three-pointers made and PIR were all new career highs.

Young Kraag paced Joventut to win

Roll Call, Round 13: Alviti, Kamenjas, Beni, Kraag, Malcolm

With one of the best BKT EuroCup games ever played for his club, swingman Tyrone Wallace lifted Turk Telekom Ankara to a crucial victory and earned the MVP honor for Round 13 of the regular season. In a 79-85 road win at ratiopharm Ulm, Wallace posted a 39 PIR that was the best of the round, his own personal high, and the second-highest in Turk Telekom's eight EuroCup seasons dating to 2004-05. He scored 31 points on 7-for-8 three-point shooting, both figures tied for second-best in the competition this season. Wallace added 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and a block for his first MVP nod in 28 career EuroCup games.

Round 13 MVP: Tyrone Wallace, Turk Telekom Ankara

With one of the best BKT EuroCup games ever played for his club, swingman [Tyrone Wallace](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyrone-wallace/011925/) lifted Turk Telekom Ankara to a crucial victory and earned the MVP honor for Round 13 of the regular season. [In a 79-85 road win at ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/ratiopharm-ulm-turk-telekom-ankara/U2023/128/), Wallace posted a 39 PIR that was the best of the round, his own personal high, and the second-highest in Turk Telekom's eight EuroCup seasons dating to 2004-05. He scored 31 points on 7-for-8 three-point shooting, both figures tied for second-best in the competition this season. Wallace added 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and a block for his first MVP nod in 28 career EuroCup games.

With one of the best BKT EuroCup games ever played for his club, swingman Tyrone Wallace lifted Turk Telekom Ankara to a crucial victory and earned the MVP honor for Round 13 of the regular season.

Tyrone Wallace | Round 13 MVP | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Behind Wallace with PIRs of 33 each were a pair of players whose teams lost shootouts, [Jaka Blazic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jaka-blazic/003452/) of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and [Aleksander Dziewa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksander-dziewa/011168/) of Veolia Towers Hamburg. Blazic had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in Cedevita's 105-100 road loss at Prometey Slobozhanske. Dziewa put up 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals as Hamburg fell 118-101 at Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. 

The top player for Ulm against Turk Telekom, big man [Trevion Willams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/trevion-lamon-williams-/012604/), came next with a PIR of 31 based o his 26 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. And this round's fifth-best PIR of 30 belonged to center [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/), who led Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul to a 72-59 defeat over Wolves Vilnius with his 16 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists.

ratiopharm Ulm v Turk Telekom Ankara (2023-12-26T18:30:00.000Z)

Here are the leaders in the main statistical categories for Round 13 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season. 

Round 13 individual highs: Angel Delgado, Besiktas, 14 rebounds

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

Tyrone Wallace of Turk Telekom Ankara was Round 13's top scorer with 31 points, just as he was the previous round with 30. Nadir Hifi of Paris Basketball is the EuroCup's season-long top scorer after 13 rounds with 18.3 points per game.

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

Angel Delgado of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul led all rebounders in Round 13 by pulling down 14 boards. Trevion Williams of ratiopharm Ulm is the EuroCup's top rebounder with 11.5 per game.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

Two players dished 9 assists each this round: JeQuan Lewis of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Andrea De Nicolao of Umana Reyer Venice. TJ Shorts of Paris leads the EuroCup in assists, averaging 7.2 per contest.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

Three players collected 5 steals each in Round 13: Kenan Kamenjas of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, Ethan Happ of Dreamland Gran Canaria and Ronnie Harrell of Aris Midea Thessaloniki. Andres Feliz of Joventut Badalona tops the steals charts with 2.4 per game.

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

Derek Cooke of Dolomiti Energia Trento had 4 blocks, more than any other player this week. Dusan Miletic of Slask Wroclaw still dominates this category with 2.2 blocks per game.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

Three players recorded double-doubles in Round 13. Williams of Ulm had 26 points and 11 rebounds for a PIR of 31. Delgado of Besiktas had 16 points and 14 rebounds while Amedeo Tessitori of Venice posted 12 points and 10 rebounds. Williams leads all EuroCup players with nine double-doubles for the season so far.

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2023-12-27T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Slask Wroclaw (2023-12-27T18:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2023-12-27T19:00:00.000Z)

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2023-12-26T18:30:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v London Lions (2023-12-26T19:45:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2023-12-27T17:30:00.000Z)

Joventut Badalona v Umana Reyer Venice (2023-12-26T19:30:00.000Z)

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul v Wolves Vilnius (2023-12-27T17:00:00.000Z)

Prometey Slobozhanske v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2023-12-27T17:00:00.000Z)

Gian Clavell showed a glimpse of what could come for Prometey

For Prometey Slobozhanske, Wednesday's victory over the winless Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana was not easy. It was entertaining and fun to watch, but far from easy as the team pulled out a 105-100 triumph in a shootout.

And event though Coach Ronen Ginzburg said he was only satisfied with the victory, there are couple of positives from the game that lifted Prometey's record to 7-6 and solidified its position in the playoff race while keeping the team one win behind the spot that carries home-court advantage in the eighthfinals.

One positive, surely is the fact that Prometey avoided a loss against a team with nothing to lose. Cedevita not only is winless, and now mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, but also had only seven players in its rotation. But its record is somewhat misleading, and those players, led by Justin Cobbs and Jaka Blazic, who combined for 49 points, can hurt any opponent.

Prometey also managed to bounce back after a heartbreaking 89-88 loss at London Lions last week. But this team keeps refusing to use excuses and now, with five wins in its last seven games, has all but secured a playoff spot.

In a win over Cedevita Olimpija, Gian Clavell was tied for team high with 17 points, shooting 3-of-7 from long range, and also had 6 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Prometey was +13 with him on the floor.

Clavell had 17 points, 6 assists vs. Cedevita

Another big plus from last night's game for Prometey was the performance of Gian Clavell. He tied for the team high with 17 points, shooting 3-of-7 from long range, and also had 6 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Prometey was +13 with him on the floor. It could be just a glimpse of what's to come.

Last year, Clavell was one of Prometey's driving forces. He played an average of 29 minutes per game and was worth 15.2 points and 2.5 assists as Prometey went all the way to the EuroCup Semifinals in its premier season in the EuroCup.

Clavell started the season injured and missed the first nine rounds. However, once he did return, he needed time to get into a rhythm. He scored 10 points in his season debut against Veolia towers Hamburg, but then was scoreless in just 3 minutes on the floor against Besiktas and went for 3 points in 19 minutes against the London Lions.

"It took him time, but I am happy he played good", said Prometey head coach Ronen Ginzburg.

This performance might be just what the doctor ordered for Prometey. With DJ Kennedy now registered and also nearing his return from an injury, and Clavell hinting he is on the way to play like his former self, do not be surprised if Prometey re-captures last season's magic in the weeks to come.

Game News

Game Videos

In Wednesday's win, the guard showed glimpses of the performances he made regularly for the club last season.