Look back at all the action in Round 1 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Round 1

ratiopharm Ulm young duo Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue both shined bright in Round 1 of the 2024-25 EuroCup season.

Ben Saraf, Noa Essengue combo lives up to hype in EuroCup opener

ratiopharm Ulm came into this season with plenty of hype thanks to two star prospects in [Ben Saraf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ben-saraf/011437/) and [Noa Essengue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/noa-essengue/011391/). And the teenagers definitely didn’t disappoint as they carried the German club to an overtime win to start the BKT EuroCup campaign.

Saraf dazzled over major stretches on his EuroCup debut with 17 points and 10 assists in [Ulm’s 93-96 victory over Trefl Sopot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2425-rs1-report-tso-ulm/), while Essengue totaled 18 points.

“Really proud of our guys,” said Ulm head coach Ty Harrelson. “Again with the young roster, I can’t say enough about our character to stay in there when we got down by 12 points to fight back and not lose energy.”

Noa Essengue and Ben Saraf both shined as ratiopharm Ulm beat Trefl Sopot in Round 1 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

The top plays of Essengue, Saraf vs. Trefl

The 18-year-old Saraf and 17-year-old Essengue, who will turn 18 in December, really took over the game in the fourth quarter with the team down 70-60 and under 7 minutes to go.

Saraf scored Ulm’s next seven points, then assisted on two Essengue dunks before knocking down a jumper and putting back an offensive rebound to tie the game at 79-79 in the closing minute of regulation.

Saraf fed Essengue for an alley-oop and a three-pointer early in overtime, then Essengue added another free throw as the teenagers shined in the opening game of Ulm’s EuroCup season.

The Israeli guard also had 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 7 fouls drawn for a PIR of 17. Essengue, who was playing in his eighth EuroCup game, added 6 rebounds and 2 blocks for a PIR of 26.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Auftaktsieg im Eurocup 🚀❤️‍🔥<br>Wir kämpfen bis zur letzten Minute und belohnen uns nach der Overtime auch international mit dem ersten Sieg.<br><br>𝗧𝗢𝗣𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗥:<br>Justinian Jessup | 20 PKT, 6 REB, 1 STL<br>Noa Essengue | 18 PKT, 6 REB, 2 AST<br>Ben Saraf | 17 PKT, 10 AST, 3 STL <a href="https://t.co/JJfqwiz43s">pic.twitter.com/JJfqwiz43s</a></p>&mdash; ratiopharm ulm (@ratiopharmulm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ratiopharmulm/status/1839027461193085245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On top of that, the teenage duo combined for 36 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals in Ulm’s German League opener – an 86-90 win over NINERS Chemnitz, a team which won the FIBA Europe Cup last season.

Ulm has built a reputation of bringing in young players and giving them chances to shine. It started in earnest in 2019-20 when French talent [Killian Hayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/killian-hayes/009661/) was given the keys to the offense as an 18-year-old. Montenegro prospect [Fedor Zugic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/fedor-zugic/009033/) arrived later, followed by Spanish star point guard [Juan Nunez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/juan-nunez/010106/) and another French talent in [Pacome Dadiet](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/pacome-dadiet/011457/).

Essengue became the latest star from France to move to Ulm before last season and he was fantastic in the lower and youth ranks in his first season in Germany. He starred for Ulm’s affiliate team in the third division, ProB, carrying the club to the semifinals of the playoffs. Essengue also [led Ulm to the title at the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Dubai, winning the Most Valuable Player award](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/news/herculean-effort-earns-noa-essengue-mvp-for-ulm/) and helping Ulm become the first German club to win an ANGT qualifying event.

2023-24 EB ANGT Dubai MVP Highlights: Noa Essengue, U18 ratioopharm Ulm

Last season saw Essengue make seven EuroCup appearances for Ulm, as well as nine games in Germany’s top flight. He totaled 19 points in the EuroCup last season and poured in 18 points against Trefl.

Saraf, meanwhile, had a monster summer this off-season, winning MVP of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024, where Israel took fourth place. During that tournament, he averaged 28.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

He is not new to professional basketball, however, as he played a major role in Maccabi Kiryat Ata getting to the semifinals of the Israeli League last season. He posted 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steal in 26 regular-season games and then collected 11.3 points, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals in the semifinals against EuroCup side Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. All that earned Saraf the honor of being the league’s breakout player of the season.

Ulm will likely have to face its ups and downs as Harrelson and the team deal with the highs and lows of having youngsters being leading players, but in Saraf and Essengue, they have two players who are destined for the very top and are ready to make a big impact right away.

Ben Saraf of ratiopharm Ulm looks to score against Trefl Sopot in Round 1 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Ulm's two prodigies both displayed their elite potential on the road at Trefl

Trefl Sopot v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-09-25T17:00:00.000Z)

EuroCup opponents Besiktas and Hapoel Tel Aviv BC will now face each other in Belgrade on October 8, rather than in Istanbul on October 9.

Round 3 matchup between Besiktas and Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv relocated

The BKT EuroCup Round 3 game between [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/carousels/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/?q=%7B%22articleId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22categoryId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22linkedId%22%3A%7B%22sourceSystem%22%3A%22FS_BASKETBALL_TEAM%22%2C%22sourceSystemId%22%3A%22bes%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=Besiktas%20Fibabanka%20Istanbul) and [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/carousels/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/?q=%7B%22articleId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22categoryId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22linkedId%22%3A%7B%22sourceSystem%22%3A%22FS_BASKETBALL_TEAM%22%2C%22sourceSystemId%22%3A%22hta%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=Hapoel%20Shlomo%20Tel%20Aviv) will be played at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, Serbia. The game will be played on Tuesday, October 8 at 20:00 local time instead of Wednesday 9.

This decision has been taken considering recommendations from the Turkish and Israeli governments.

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-10-09T17:00:00.000Z)

Congratulations to Matej Kalamarko, our first winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Matej's team mk10 posted a score of 196.35.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 1 winner

Congratulations to Matej Kalamarko, our first winner in the 2024-25 [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Matej's team mk10 posted a score of 196.35.

The team featured the following lineup: Jordan Ford of Dolomiti Energia Trento as team captain, then Georgios Kalaitzakis of 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys, Deividas Sirvydis of 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys, Kevin Hervey of U-BT Cluj-Napoca, Yovel Zoosman of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem and Kyle Alexander of Turk Telekom Ankara as the other starters. Ante Tomic of Joventut Badalona was his sixth man, while Eleftherios Mantzoukas of Aris Midea Thessaloniki, Adam Mokoka of Cluj, Noa Essengue and Ben Saraf of ratiopharm Ulm made up the rest of the bench. Frederic Fauthoux of Cosea JL Bourg en Bresse was the head coach.

The prize for finishing first in Round 1 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season!

Obviously, Matej is also first in the overall standings with 196.35 points. Trades are now open for Round 2. 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!

Joventut Badalona center Ante Tomic has earned MVP of the Round honors in Round 1 of the 2024-25 EuroCup season.

Round 1 MVP: Ante Tomic, Joventut Badalona

[Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) turned back the clock as he played a key role in Joventut Badalona grabbing a 78-75 overtime victory against Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, which saw him earn MVP of the Round honors in the opening round of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

The 37-year-old center finished with a PIR of 32, a career-high in the EuroCup and the most of any winning player in Round 1. He also had 17 points and tied his career-best mark in rebounds with 12. As such, this was his third double-double in the EuroCup, with the others coming in Rounds 2 and 14 of the 2023-24 season. Tomic was near-perfect from the field, shooting 8 for 9 on two-pointers, and he made his 1 free throw. He drew 3 fouls on the night, too.

Coming is second place is Dolomiti Energia Trento’s [Jordan Ford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-ford/013270/), who had a round-high 36 PIR but ended up tasting defeat against Dreamland Gran Canaria. Ford made a gigantic impression on his EuroCup debut, netting 32 points after going 11 for 11 on two-pointers, 3 for 4 on triples and 1 for 1 from the charity stripe. His 14 made field goals are the joint third most all-time. In third spot is U-BT Cluj-Napoca guard [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/), who finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal and a 28 PIR on his first-ever game in the EuroCup, an 86-93 loss to Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. The fourth-highest PIR belonged to Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem guard [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/), as his EuroCup debut saw him record 27 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists en route to a 27 PIR in his team’s 64-80 defeat to Valencia Basket. Rounding out the list of best performers in Round 1 is ratiopharm Ulm’s [Noa Essengue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/noa-essengue/011391/), who smashed his previous career high with a 26 PIR in his side’s 93-96 overtime win at Trefl Sopot. He also set career-best marks in points (18), rebounds (6) and blocks (2), while he tied his personal bests in assists (2) and steals (1).

Valencia Basket has completed the signing of Goran Filipovic, who will cover the injuries of Chris Jones and Sergio De Larrea.

Valencia adds Goran Filipovic on two-month deal

Valencia Basket has confirmed that point guard [Goran Filipovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/goran-filipovic/004548/) has signed for the club on a two-month contract.

With guards [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/chris-jones/010568/) and [Sergio De Larrea](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/eurocup/players/sergio-de-larrea/010750/) both injured at present, Valencia has opted to bring in Filipovic for the first couple of months of the season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Benvingut, Goran! 🧡<br><br>Cas 👉 Valencia Basket incorpora al base Goran Filipovic con un contrato temporal de dos meses<a href="https://t.co/OVvQ4kj5v7">https://t.co/OVvQ4kj5v7</a><br><br>Val 👉 Valencia Basket incorpora al base Goran Filipovic amb un contracte temporal de dos mesos<a href="https://t.co/Uc8W7spKT0">https://t.co/Uc8W7spKT0</a><br><br>Eng 👉 Croatian… <a href="https://t.co/BRmI899M1x">pic.twitter.com/BRmI899M1x</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1839213308756263092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Filipovic (1.83 meters, 27 years old) split the 2023-24 season between Polish side Twarde Pierniki Torun and Bosnian outfit KK Igokea. In 21 Polish League games, he averaged 15.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. Then, at Igokea, he posted 14.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals in eight Adriatic League fixtures.

Previously, Filipovic has played for KK Split (2013-2018) in his native Croatia, BC Siroki (2018-2020) in Bosnia, SCM Universitatea Craiova (2020-2021) in Romania, KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2021-2022) in Slovenia, and Club Basquet Coruña (2022-2023) in Spain.

More Valencia News

He will help cover the injuries of Chris Jones and Sergio De Larrea

Reyer Venezia had not enjoyed a good start at home in the EuroCup for years. That changed with a rock-solid performance against Aris BC in Round 1.


Team effort gave Reyer elusive first home win 

After losing its home opener in each of the last three seasons, Umana Reyer Venice was able to start off on the right foot this time around, [downing Aris Midea Thessaloniki 95-75](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/tyler-ennis-leads-reyer-past-aris-95-75/) at Palasport Taliercio in Round 1.

It took a team effort and a game-deciding run in the third quarter to get the victory. Reyer finished the game with seven players scoring in double digits. [Jordan Parks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jordan-parks/011909/) led all scorers with 17. [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/) amassed 12, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, making sure everybody was involved on his Reyer debut.

"We wanted to come out and set the tone of the year in our first home game," Ennis said after the game. "I have a lot of talent around me as a point guard, playmaker. I want to get them involved and mixing scoring as well. I think tonight we did a good job of playing defense when it mattered and running."

Game Videos

Reyer built a double-digit lead early and only trailed after the opening basket, a three-pointer by [Landers Nolley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/landers-nolley/013249/). Aris fought back and tied the game, 39-39, late in the first half. After another Reyer push, the guests managed to get within 47-46 on another triple by Nolley. Then, the hosts started to showcase their depth and potential.

As many as five different Reyer players scored in a 16-0 run that sealed the outcome. Parks beat the shot clock with a corner three-pointer that got the run started. Ennis, [Amedeo Tessitori](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/amedeo-tessitori/003759/) and [Xavier Munford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/xavier-munford/007759/) contributed to that 16-0 run, highlighted by [Aamir Simms](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aamir-simms/011928/)'s two-handed dunk. Reyer boosted its margin to 63-46 and kept full control of the game until the final buzzer.

Reyer showed great aggressiveness, too. It broke two club records by drawing 30 fouls and taking 27 free-throw attempts. The hosts outrebounded Aris 41-27, pulling down 17 offensive boards. It had 25 assists against just 11 turnovers, while its opponent had more turnovers (17) than steals (14).

Umana Reyer Venice used a 16-0 run to break its Round 1 game open and beat Aris Midea Thessaloniki

Reyer's decisive 16-0 run

"We played good basketball," Reyer head coach Neven Spahija commented. "We had probably \[took\] too many threes in the first 20 minutes. After that, we solved the problem and continue to play our way to win the game. I am so happy for the team. Congrats to everyone, also to our fans. Hope we can continue to build from here."

Reyer faces a tough stretch now as it visits Ljubljana to face Cedevita Olimpija next week before hosting last season's finalist Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse in Round 3 and visiting Valencia Basket in Round 4. Wednesday night's first win should give the team plenty of confidence going forward.

Game News

Reyer had not enjoyed a good start at home in the EuroCup for years. That changed with a rock-solid performance in Round 1 

Umana Reyer Venice v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2024-09-25T18:00:00.000Z)

Offensive balance was the name of Cedevita's game

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana got its first win of the season by beating U-BT Cluj-Napoca on the road, 86-93, on Wednesday. Cedevita made 14 triples on 28 attempts and also finished the game with better than 50% shooting on two-pointers (17-for-33). What sticks out, however, is that Cedevita did so with an offensive balance that was consistent throughout the game.

For starters, Cedevita had five scorer with 13 or more points. Devin Robinson led the way with 20 points, Brynton Lemar scored 18, Devante Jones had 15 points, Aleksej Nikolic 14 and DJ Stewart 13 points.

Each of these five players made at least one three-point shot, and the sixth player who was successful once from downtown was Jaka Blazic. More importantly, no other player apart from these six even attempted a three-point shot.

Also important, those triples did not come in bunches, but were spread out equally throughout four quarters. Cedevita made 4 three-pointers apiece in the second and third quarters and 3 in the first and final quarters.

Cedevita's worst scoring quarter was the opening one, when it had 19 points. The team scored 27 and 25 points in the middle two quarters and had 22 in the fourth. In addition, every one of those 22 points came in the final 7 minutes of the fourth quarter, and after Cluj's 14-0 run, propelling Cedevita to a big opening round win.

The winners had five players with at least 13 points

Offensive balance was the name of Cedevita's game at Cluj

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-09-25T16:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket hit the ground running on its return to the BKT EuroCup by securing a 64-80 victory away at Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, in a game that took place at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria. 

Board dominance was the key as Valencia rolled over Jerusalem

Valencia Basket hit the ground running on its return to the BKT EuroCup by securing a 64-80 victory away at Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, in a game that took place at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria. The visitors’ defense kept Jerusalem to just 29 points in the first half, but it was their dominance in rebounds that allowed the four-time EuroCup champion to clinch the victory.

The Spanish side matched its record for defensive rebounds by collecting 30 boards, which helped them dictate the tempo. Valencia secured 22 offensive rebounds, which provided them with valuable extra possessions.

“We were very active and very aggressive, trying to go for the offensive rebounds, and that gave us second opportunities,” head coach Pedro Martinez said in the post-game press conference.

In fact, more than one-quarter of their points (24 of 80) came from second chances, with nine of the 11 players who stepped onto the court picking up at least 1 offensive rebound each to deal Jerusalem a blow in confidence.

“I think it’s a really good start to the season,” Valencia center Matthew Costello said after the game. “We played really well on offensive boards, which gave us a lot of extra chances.”

Costello was one of the three Valencia summer signings who stole the spotlight on Wednesday evening. The former Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz center shot 5-for-7 from inside the arc and made 2 triples to finish the game with a team-high 16 points. Three more Valencia players recorded double digits in scoring, with two of them being newcomers. Nathan Sestina paired his 10 points with 6 rebounds in less than 17 minutes, with Jean Montero registering 10 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds and 5 drawn fouls.

Having kicked off the season in style, Valencia will host Veolia Towers Hamburg next week, as the EuroCup returns to La Fonteta. From the off, the Spanish side has demonstrated that its energy on the court, insistence on fighting for the rebounds and defensive prowess are enough reasons to be considered favorites to go all the way to the title for the fifth time in their history.

The victors had 18 more rebounds than their opponents 

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v Valencia Basket (2024-09-25T17:00:00.000Z)