Reyer Venezia guard Tyler Ennis spoke to Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net ahead of the final two games of the EuroCup regular season.

Tyler Ennis: 'We can literally beat any team, even EuroLeague teams'

[Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/vnc/) is in the thick of the playoff hunt in the BKT EuroCup, sitting seventh in Group B with two games to play, with a big road contest coming up against [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/) on Wednesday night. With that in mind, [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)’s Javier Gancedo spoke with ex-Turk Telekom and current Reyer point guard [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/) in this week’s EuroCup interview.

Ennis’s return from injury, having missed Rounds 3 through 8, has been a big reason for Reyer’s resurgence as the Italian team has gone 7-2 over the last nine games after starting the season 2-5. Having made his EuroCup debut with Turk Telekom in 2021-22, the 30-year-old – and the brother of Dylan Ennis, who asks a question of his own in this interview – has averaged 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 10 games this year, but there’s the job’s not finished yet.

Umana Reyer Venice guard Tyler Ennis averages 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 10 EuroCup games this season.

2024-25 EuroCup highlights: Tyler Ennis, Reyer

**Hello, Tyler. First things first, we have to talk about Reyer’s crucial 76-75 win against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem last week. What allowed you to get the win in this back-and-forth game?**

"Obviously, we knew Jerusalem had a lot of firepower. Jared Harper, \[Khadeen\] Carrington... so we really wanted to lock in defensively on that. But I think since we’ve kind of been getting bodies back every game and the new rotation, we wanted to continue with the chemistry we have, continue building and getting some wins at home. I think there was one point where we were winning more on the road than we were at home, so we wanted to come out and obviously just get any win we can to stay in the race. And they played well. They played their game, but we held them to some tough shots and ended up coming out with the win at the end. It was really close."

**In fact, it went down to the final play – a missed shot by Carrington that would have changed the whole playoff picture in the EuroCup. Can you take us back to that final play?**

"Ideally, you don't want to have your center switch onto the highest scoring guard in the EuroCup: Harper. But we trust Mfi Kabengele to guard guys. He is athletic enough to change a lot of shots, and I think he forced Harper to think twice about the first one, and then he kind of locked in. We all were hugged up to our guys, and you don't want to give up a second chance but we put in another effort and made Carrington miss. And then somebody tipped it out, so... not an ideal end to the game. Obviously, if this is the championship, these games could go in different ways. But on that night, I thought we did a good job of just continuing to play through, sending them to the free-throw line a lot. We played through a lot of adversity that we have dealt with and just stayed together, which is kind of our main mantra right now, just staying together, staying positive."

**Like you said, you got some bodies back. Xavier Munford and you were injured, and more players missed some games. On the flip side, Kabengele has been amazing all season long, too. How is the team feeling right now given that everybody is back?**

"Yeah, we feel good. I think people being healthy kind of allowed other people to play the roles they anticipated coming into the season. We had guys playing point guard that weren't point guards and different things like that, so we are just putting it together. Whoever is healthy, we have more than enough to play with anybody, to beat anybody, and we are showing that we can. We want to just be more consistent. We don't want to drop the games that we are in and we have a chance to win. And I think going into the second round, I think we were in every game, even the ones we lost. We just have to come ready and consistent."

Tyler Ennis: 'Whoever is healthy, we have more than enough to play with anybody, to beat anybody'

**Your next game is in Ankara against Turk Telekom, one of your former teams. You also worked with coach Erden Can when you were with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. So you know what to expect and this is a crucial game, the game of the season for you guys. How do you feel going into this one?**

"We feel good. Obviously, it is a totally different game than the first round. With so much at stake, you want to come focused and as ready as possible. It's going to be a great atmosphere. It's going to be a great, great game. but at the end of the day, we just have to come out with a win. At this point in the season, we want to play great. We want to do everything right, but things don't go that way. As long as we come out with the win, put ourselves into the playoffs, hopefully everybody will be happy, and I think it will kind of be a great moment. After all the team went through at the start the season, I think it would be a great moment for us that shows our resilience and hopefully continues to carry on with us until the end of the season."

**Your brother Dylan Ennis made it to the All-EuroCup Second Team a few years ago. Are in touch with each other? Do you follow each other's careers?**

"Yeah, we talk every day. We were lucky enough to play against each other while we were both playing in Turkiye. We have had very different careers and are obviously different players, but we always go through the ups and downs of being a professional athlete. And I think it's just great to have somebody to lean on, who knows me personally, who knows my intentions and everything, and to kind of give you a different outlook on problems you are having or even on the positive things, just to kind of congratulate you on some good things that are going on. So we speak every day, whether it's about basketball life or just anything."

**Well, I’ve spoken to Dylan, too, and asked him to throw in this question: When you were young, how many video game controllers did you break because you were losing?**

"(Laughs hard) Too many. Too many! I have to give some backstory. At the time, I was the youngest so I got bullied a lot. I lost a lot, whether we were playing video games, whether we were fighting, playing basketball outside, I was losing. I was three years younger than Dylan, and I'm five years younger than our oldest brother \[Brandon\]. So I think that built my competitive edge. Obviously, at that age, you don't know how to control your emotions too much. And maybe that's that taught me how to do it now, but it made me want to win. It made me want to be better than them at everything and gave me that drive and competitive force. So I give them a lot of credit for my career and what I have been able to do, being able to follow in their footsteps and eventually take my own path. But yeah, I was definitely the angry brother growing up... maybe not the angry, but the emotional brother. And now, I think it has flipped. I think Dylan is more emotional."

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**It happens. I also wanted to ask you about the other two Canadians in the team. How great is it to be around so many Canadians, people that you know from the national team? Has it helped the team gel together quicker?**

"I think me and Kyle \[Wiltjer\], this is our third team playing together. We played on the \[Houston\] Rockets and then we played on Turk Telekom together, so this is our third stop together, a third different team, so we already have a chemistry on the court. We kind of know: he knows what I'm looking for, I know what spots he likes, and then off the court, we have been great friends since we met. He was one of the main reasons I came to Venice, to be able to talk to him and get his experience on basketball, life off the court and everything. So it was an exciting opportunity to come play with him again. With Mfi \[Kabengele\], I actually feel he’s a little bit younger than me. He grew up watching me, but I watched him in high school and going to Florida State. This is my first experience being on a team with him, but it's been a pleasure. Obviously, you could see we kind of hit it off right away with the way I play and what I'm looking for, and what he needs as a big guy. We have a lot of pick and rolls together, and I think we just trust each other to be in the right spot and to find each other. So hopefully he is able to be rewarded for the amazing season he is having with some accolades, and obviously that depends on how well we finish the season. So I'm excited for him in his career. I think this is really a breakout year in Europe for him."

Tyler Ennis on Mfiondu Kabengele: 'I think this is really a breakout year in Europe for him'

**February is around the corner, which means it is do-or-die time in the EuroCup, the end of the regular season. How exciting is it for a basketball player to get there, when things are finally decided and more important games are coming up?**

"It's great! I mean, it's obviously a lot more pressure, a lot more riding on every game, but I think that’s what you play for. I don't think you really see too much the tie that we have on our side of the EuroCup \[with five teams from third to seventh, including Turk Telekom, on a 9-7 record\]. I think that's pretty unique with so many teams, all with the same record and whatnot. But I think if you asked us when we were going through those losses at the start of the year and the injuries, that if we’d take being in this position, I think we would all agree to it. We were able to kind of turn the season around in terms of wins, but none of that matters unless we clinch the playoffs, and that's our plan. But looking back and being reflective for a second, I think it has been a great turnaround and showed a lot of character for everybody on our team to just continue to fight through the obstacles and stay together."

**Let's talk about the tie: five teams with a 9-7 record and one of them will be eliminated at the end of the regular season. The good thing for all the teams in this tie is that winning both games takes you there for sure. No one depends on other people's results right now. How great is it to hold your EuroCup destiny in your own hands?**

"I think that's all you can ask for in this situation that we have been in. Ideally, you want to be first or second and get the \[eighthfinals\] bye, but things don't always go that way. So we will kind of be where our feet are and focus on Turk Telekom. I think it's storybook that I get to go back and play my old team for the first time. I haven't played in Ankara since I played there, I think three years ago. We want the storybook ending and to leave Ankara happy, but we know it is going to be tough. We know it is gonna be a tough game. They have a great coach and really talented players. So we are looking forward to the experience, the atmosphere and everything that goes along with a game like this."

**Finally, after these next two games, the competition takes a break and returns for the playoffs. That's plenty of time for a team to get in shape and perform at its best. If you qualify, how dangerous can Reyer be in the long run?**

"Whether we are playing in our domestic league or in the EuroCup, I think we can literally beat any team, even EuroLeague teams. I think talent-wise, we are right up there with everybody, and it's just on us to come and play with energy and be consistent. So I think if I was on the other side, and I’d seen that we got the draw of our team, I think it's a little bit more worrisome than a lot of other teams. But talent only takes you so far, you have to go out there and produce. We are focused on the right things now; getting players back healthy is all we could ask for. We are just looking forward to the competition and looking forward to making the playoffs. We just have to get it done."

The Reyer guard is feeling confident ahead of the team's final two regular-season games

Turk Telekom Ankara v Umana Reyer Venice (2025-01-29T16:30:00.000Z)

The Dominican Republic is famous for the baseball players it produces, but Valencia Basket guard Jean Montero knew from a young age that basketball was the sport for him.

Nothing given, everything earned: Jean Montero living his life motto in EuroCup stardom

For a kid growing up in the Dominican Republic that picks up sports, the obvious choice was, is and probably will forever be baseball.

Baseball is by far the most popular sport in the Dominican Republic, and the country has a very long tradition of exporting numerous players to the big stage: specifically, the USA’s Major League Baseball. Most young people who dream of a successful career as an athlete will grab a bat and a mitt rather than a basketball.

It didn’t take long for [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) guard [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/) to make up his mind as to which sport hits all the right buttons for him.

“I was easily bored while growing up,” Montero told Eurohoops. “I wanted to get to be active. I wanted to get tired. I wanted to run. Do something, have some activity in the game that requires a lot of running and all the stuff in it. That’s why I chose basketball. I was playing both baseball and basketball, but basketball was just more fun to me.”

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1777464/nothing-given-everything-earned-jean-montero-living-his-life-motto-in-eurocup-stardom/).

The Valencia guard has been one of the competition’s best players this season

Aris BC has confirmed the appointment of Nikos Vetoulas as its new head coach on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Aris appoints Nikos Vetoulas as head coach

[Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/ari/) has confirmed the appointment of Nikos Vetoulas as its new head coach on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Vetoulas, who started his coaching career as an assistant at Aris in the 2008-09 campaign, also represented the club as a player in 2003-04, helping the team win the Greek Cup.

With Aris, Vetoulas will coach in the BKT EuroCup for the first time in his career.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">✍️ Ο Νίκος Βετούλας στον ΑΡΗ Midea<br><br>Read More 👉 <a href="https://t.co/u9vAgh4Gbc">https://t.co/u9vAgh4Gbc</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISBC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISFAMILY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISFAMILY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WELCOMECOACH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WELCOMECOACH</a> <a href="https://t.co/Zd8SXDLlDj">pic.twitter.com/Zd8SXDLlDj</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1884178439495901509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The 50-year-old most recently coached Maroussi between February 7, 2024, and October 27, 2024, while his other coaching experience came with Apollon Patras (2010-15), Promitheas Patras (2016-17), the Rethymno Cretan Kings (2017-18), Kolossos Rodou (2018-19), Ionikos Nikaias (2019-20), and then again with Apollon Patras (2020-23).

More Aris News

The 50-year-old played for Aris back in the 2003-04 season, winning the Greek Cup

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips ahead of Round 17 in the EuroCup.

EuroCup Fantasy tips, Round 17: Fighting for big goals!

The 2024-25 EuroCup Regular Season is coming to an end, as Round 17 should see more teams make it to the playoffs and lock a quarterfinal spot.

There are still more opportunities to win in the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/). Some teams are eliminated and may use different rotations in Round 17. So, I'm going to avoid players from those teams in my weekly recommendations.

Noa Essengue, Berkan Durmaz, DJ Seeley, Jean Montero and McKinley Wright are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Round 17

### DJ Seeley, U-BT Cluj-Napoca (10.7 credits)  

He earned Round 16 MVP honors, but this is not the only reason why I chose [DJ Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dennis-seeley/004862/) as my first choice this week. First, he has great value at 10.7 credits. Second, Cluj is fighting to qualify. And third, it was not just a one-game wonder. Seeley has averaged 22.3 points on 19-of-31 three-pointers over the last four games!

### Noa Essengue, ratiopharm Ulm (10.7 credits)  

The season goes on and [Noa Essengue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/noa-essengue/011391/) is not hitting any kind of wall. The 18-year-old forward keeps shocking everybody with his all-around performances, posting 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 8 fouls drawn and a PIR of 28 last week against Buducnost. Essengue is the real deal – buy him now!

### Jean Montero, Valencia Basket (12.0 credits)

Other than having one of the coolest nicknames in basketball, "The Problem" is living up to his name in the EuroCup this season. Valencia could all but mathematically lock the top-seeded spot with a win against Cedevita, and [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/) has averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 assists and a PIR of 18.3 in the last three games.

### McKinley Wright, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (11.0 credits)

A very interesting choice, as [McKinley Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mckinley-wright-iv/012606/) has been on fire lately. He had a PIR of 26 in just 17 minutes in an ABA League game this past weekend. He had a double-digit PIR in each of the last four EuroCup games, averaging 13.8 points, 5.5 assists, 3.5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 16.8. A solid choice for just 11.0 credits!

### Berkan Durmaz, Turk Telekom Ankara (6.0 credits)

A cheaper, more affordable option. [Berkan Durmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/berkan-durmaz/007917/) has been playing really well in recent games, getting 16 points, 6 rebounds and a PIR of 22 against Valencia, then 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 fouls drawn and a PIR of 20 against Hamburg, before 3 points and a PIR of 8 against Cluj. If you are looking for a backup forward, Durmaz is the man!

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips ahead of Round 17

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2025-01-29T17:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v ratiopharm Ulm (2025-01-28T16:00:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Valencia Basket (2025-01-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Joventut Badalona (2025-01-29T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris BC has parted ways with head coach Ioannis Kastritis, the club confirmed on Monday.

Aris parts ways with coach Ioannis Kastritis

[Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/ari/) has parted ways with head coach Ioannis Kastritis, the club confirmed on Monday.

Sixteen games into the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season, Aris sits bottom of Group B with a 3-13 record – the second-worst mark of any team in the competition.

Last season, Kastritis’s Aris returned to the EuroCup after a seven-season absence and posted a 9-9 in the regular season, good for fifth in Group B and a place in the playoffs. However, Aris lost in the eighthfinals to Prometey Slobozhanske.

Overall, Kastritis went 12-23 in 35 EuroCup with Aris.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">‼️ Λύση συνεργασίας με τον Γιάννη Καστρίτη<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/JuZlsDpt97">https://t.co/JuZlsDpt97</a> <a href="https://t.co/GTWjZnnVeD">pic.twitter.com/GTWjZnnVeD</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1883858828007284948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“The 43-year-old coach has given his services to ARIS Midea for three and a half consecutive seasons and his contribution has been truly great,” Aris said in a statement confirmed Kastritis’s departure.

“In the first two years, with the smallest budgets in the Greek League, the team made very good progress, while last year they returned to the top four of the league and in their return to the BKT EuroCup, not only stood decently against major European powers, but also qualified for the playoffs.

“In a meeting held today (27/01) at the club’s offices, it was decided to terminate the cooperation with the Tripolitsian coach. We thank Ioannis Kastritis from the bottom of our hearts for everything he has offered, and he will always be a part of the history of ARIS Midea. We wish him all the best in the rest of his career.”

The Greek side has struggled in this year’s EuroCup campaign

With just two rounds remaining in the regular season, playoff places and seeded status could be decided in Round 17 of the BKT EuroCup. Here's your guide to Tuesday and Wednesday's action.

Round 17 at a glance: Will the playoff floodgates open this week?

With just two rounds remaining in the regular season, playoff places and seeded status could be decided in Round 17 of the BKT EuroCup. Here's your guide to Tuesday and Wednesday's action.

## Tuesday, January 28, 2025

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. ratiopharm Ulm (17:00 CET)

Group A winner Bahcesehir (13-3) will look to gear up for the playoffs against an Ulm team (9-7) fighting to stay in the all-important top six. The German team has dipped in form at the worst time, losing three straight games, including last week’s potentially costly home defeat to Buducnost. Bahcesehir is coming off an 84-77 loss against Hapoel, but could be forgiven for taking its foot off the gas with first place already secured. The all-action [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/) was key when the teams last met, combining 20 points with 5 assists and 4 steals to propel a 72-80 Bahcesehir road win. Ulm, which would clinch a playoff berth with a win, desperately needs to improve its defense this week, having allowed at least 83 points in six consecutive games.

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Valencia Basket (18:30 CET)

Second-placed Cedevita (10-6) will look for a vital home win to retain that position with a visit from group winner Valencia (14-2). Facing the competition’s most prolific offense, the Slovenian team needs to tighten up after allowing 20 assists in last week’s loss at Bourg. Cedevita guard [DJ Stewart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dj-stewart/012700/) is one of the best ball thieves in the EuroCup, snaring 3 steals last week, and that pressure will be crucial to disrupt the rhythm of Valencia orchestrators [Stefan Jovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/stefan-jovic/004863/) and [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/), who combined for 16 assists in last week’s thumping of Aris. The Spanish team’s offensive potential was on full display when the teams met in Round 8, winning 109-80 with seven different double-digit scorers, so Cedevita knows how tough its task is.

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Jones vs. Jones

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (20:00 CET)

Wolves (8-8) will try to force their way into the top six with a trip to face already-eliminated Trento (6-10). The Lithuanian team gave its playoff hopes a massive boost with last week’s dominant victory over Gran Canaria, when big man [Marek Blazevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marek-blazevic/008186/) was unstoppable as he netted 27 points alongside 6 rebounds. Trento also won big last time out, putting 100 points on the board against Joventut, and Blazevic faces a good battle against rising star [Saliou Niang](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/saliou-niang/012687/), who's averaged a PIR of 16.3 over the last three games and looks better every week. Wolves won 88-83 when the teams met in Round 8 and another win would only boost its chances of playoff progression.

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Mawugbe vs Blazevic

## Wednesday, January 29, 2025

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Umana Reyer Venice (17:30 CET)

Two of the five teams tied for third place in an incredibly competitive Group B go head to head, with Turk Telekom (9-7) welcoming Reyer (9-7). The hosts need a 9-point victory to also claim the potentially decisive head-to-head advantage, with Reyer winning 75-67 in Round 8’s first-ever meeting between the teams behind 10 points and 15 rebounds from dynamic big man [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/). So Turk Telekom will need another strong game from its own in-form center [Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/), who's averaged 15.0 points over the last three games. The presence of Kabengele helps make Reyer the third-best rebounding team in the competition (37.2 boards per game), so Turk Telekom will have to fight hard to gain extra scoring opportunities for an offense that has misfired in the last three games, averaging just 78.7 points.

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Alexander vs. Kabengele

### Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Trefl Sopot (18:00 CET)

Hapoel (10-6) will look to stay in Group A's second place by taking a home win against the competition's worst team, Trefl (1-13). The Israeli team has won four of its last five, last week downing group winner Bahcesehir thanks to 19 points and an impressive 7 assists from big man [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/). Another win would guarantee Hapoel at a minimum home-court advantage in the eighthfinals and a win coupled with a Gran Canaria loss would wrap up second place for Coach Itoudis's side. Considering the stakes and the talent gap between the teams, a Trefl win would be a massive surprise, but playmaker [Jakub Schenk](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jakub-schenk/013298/) showed he is capable of exploiting any defensive weaknesses by combining 15 points with 9 assists in last week’s loss at Besiktas. Hapoel powered to a 64-93 road win when the teams met in Round 8 behind 21 points from [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/), and will expect similar dominance this week.

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (18:00 CET)

Eliminated Lietkabelis (4-12) will look to upset the playoff dreams of a Cluj team (9-7) still fighting to claim second place in Group B. The Romanian champion gained its third win in four with a solid victory over Turk Telekom last week as [DJ Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dennis-seeley/004862/) continued his outstanding form by sinking 8-of-9 three-pointers in his 31 points. Cluj also boasts the competition’s top-ranked distributor [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) (7.2 assists per night), so there’s clearly a big defensive challenge for a Lietkabelis team that has lost four in a row, most recently against lowly Hamburg. New signing [Djordje Gagic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/djordje-gagic/profile/004229/) did excel in that game with 27 points and the center will need to be at his best again.

### Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (19:00 CET)

A battle to avoid finishing with Group B's wooden spoon will take place between Aris (3-13) and Hamburg (4-12). The teams head into the game in contrasting spirits, with Aris showing arguably the worst form in competition history after losing by 41 points in two consecutive games. Avoiding another defeat will not be straightforward against a Hamburg team that last week climbed off the foot of the standings by overcoming Lietkabelis 84-77 on the back of 22 points from [Johnathan Stove](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-stove/013503/), who has scored in double digits in all seven games for the team. Hamburg also won easily when the teams last met, 93-69, so it can mathematically avoid last place by prevailing in Greece on Wednesday.

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Joventut Badalona (19:00 CET)

Buducnost (8-8) will be determined to stay in the top six - and keep its top-four hopes alive - by defeating already-eliminated Joventut (6-10). The Montenegrin team is on a hot streak after winning four of its last five games, and will look to exploit a Joventut defense that allowed 100 points in last week’s loss against Trento. Buducnost will be confident after taking the Round 8 meeting between the teams 78-72, courtesy of 28 points from [Devon Dotson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devon-durrell-dotson/013285/). Buducnost will hope [Rasheed Sulaimon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/rasheed-sulaimon/011150/) stays hot after netting multiple triples in four of the last five games.

### Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (19:30 CET)

It's third against fourth with everything to play for between two teams that could finish anywhere between second and seventh, with Bourg (9-7) hosting Hapoel Jerusalem (9-7). The hosts will be confident after gaining a strong win over Cedevita last week, when big man [Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) delivered his best performance of the season with 22 points and 7 rebounds. He faces a good battle with [Gabriel Chachasvili](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/gabriel-chachashvili/013279/), whose double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds helped secure an 86-77 victory for Jerusalem when the teams met in Round 8. The visitor’s quest for a key road win will also be led by guard [Khadeen Carrington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/khadeen-carrington/008912/), who has scored at least 15 points in the last five games.

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Castaneda vs. Harper

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (21:00 CET)

Gran Canaria (10-6) will look to keep its top-two hopes alive by taking on another team still fighting for an eighthfinals bye, Besiktas (9-7). The Turkish team, which has lost four straight on the road, needs to win by 3 points or more to claim the potential head-to-head tiebreak advantage after Gran Canaria triumphed 74-76 in Istanbul in November. [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) was key to that victory with 17 points and he will want to stay hot after netting 20 in last week’s loss to Wolves. Besiktas has won two games in a row and has [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) in top form with 27 and 21 points in those triumphs. A Besiktas victory will see it formally clinch a ticket to the playoffs. 

Round 17 Head-to-Head: Homesley vs. Allman

The penultimate round of the regular season is going to be full of drama

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2025-01-29T20:00:00.000Z)

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2025-01-29T18:30:00.000Z)

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2025-01-29T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Trefl Sopot (2025-01-29T17:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2025-01-28T19:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Tel Aviv BC leads all teams as the most dangerous offensive team in the BKT EuroCup following the mid-season addition of Yam Madar

Stats review: Yam Madar has taken Hapoel's offensive efficiency to the next level

With only two rounds remaining in the BKT EuroCup Regular Season, the pressure is mounting as only four teams have secured their bid for the postseason. While the top seeds in both groups are decided, there is not a lot of certainty beyond that point — especially in Group B where the second postseason bye and every seed still remain up for grabs.

In Round 16, [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25) secured what could be [a pivotal win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-knocks-off-bahcesehir-84-77/) in Group A when it defeated first-place [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25) to move into a tie for second place, where it holds a tiebreaker over [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/roster/can/?season=2024-25).  After starting the year 4-3, the club has put itself in poll position for an automatic berth in the quarterfinals.

Hapoel’s turnaround can be traced to its rise as one of the EuroCup’s most efficient offensive teams.  As the table above suggests, it joins this season’s group leaders a tier above the rest of the field on that end of the floor. While it has a legitimate chance to finish the regular season atop this list, the 1.11 points per possession Hapoel has scored over its last nine games leads all teams as it has been the most dangerous offensive team in the EuroCup following the mid-season addition of [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/).

That efficiency was the difference in the win over Bahcesehir as it shot 56.8% inside the arc and 47.4% from deep to overcome a deficit in the possession battle. With the team's ball handlers scoring more than 10 points per 100 possessions more than the next most effective team in pick-and-rolls, Hapoel's guards have helped their season take a sharp turn that will be fascinating to follow in the coming weeks.

Yam Madar highlights, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, Rounds 10-16, 2024-25 EuroCup

Yam Madar is making things happen for Hapoel

Despite Hapoel’s recent run, there has been no denying [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2024-25)’s complete dominance on the offensive end for long stretches this season.  Exceeding 100 points in 10 games so far, it has the most impressive combination of pace and efficiency of any team this decade. Attempting 84 more three-pointers than any other team while leading the EuroCup in three-point accuracy, Valencia remains an incredibly daunting matchup despite a pair of losses following an 11-0 start.

Bahcesehir has been nearly as efficient while taking the opposite approach. Playing at the EuroCup’s slowest pace, the Turkish club has seldom looked to operate quickly outside of obvious fastbreak situations.  Generating over half of its possessions in the half court out of pick-and-rolls while leading all teams in pick-and-roll efficiency, Bahcesehir has played to its strengths steadily all year.

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25) and [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/?season=2024-25), like Hapoel, have both turned their seasons around after lackluster starts, but both teams find themselves in precarious spots heading into the regular season’s final games. Currently holding the last playoff seed in Group A, Buducnost has been one of the tougher teams to guard thanks to its ability to beat defenses in the midrange.  The matchup with [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-vilnius/roster/wol/?season=2024-25) in Round 18 could be a win-or-go-home situation depending on how things shake out this week.

Cluj is one of five teams with a 9-7 record in Group B.  It does not lean heavily on one-on-one play, but its efficiency when attacking matchups has been a factor in its success on the offensive end. As the only one of the five teams fighting for four postseason spots who will not face one of the other four in the final two weeks, it will be interesting to see how the Romanian champion positions itself down the stretch.

Since the mid-season arrival of Madar, Hapoel has been the most dangerous offensive team in the EuroCup

Dreamland Gran Canaria announced on Sunday that it has acquired playmaker Ziga Samar from ALBA Berlin for the remainder of the season

Gran Canaria loans Ziga Samar from ALBA Berlin

Dreamland Gran Canaria announced on Sunday that it has acquired playmaker [Ziga Samar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ziga-samar/profile/007550/) for the remainder of the season. Samar (1.97 meters, 24 years old) arrives on loan from ALBA Berlin for which he averaged 4.1 points and 2.9 assists over 14 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season. He is 10th in the EuroLeague this season in per-minute assists with a prorated average of 8.4 over 40 minutes. Gran Canaria made the move following the news that [Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-alocen-out-for-the-season/) was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

Samar returns to Spain, where he has spent most of his professional career. The tall point guard began his career with the Olimpija Ljubljana youth system in his native Slovenia and was just 16 years when he signed with Real Madrid. Samar also played professionally for Baloncesto Zambrano and Fuenlabrada, He joined ALBA in 2022 on a long-term deal and was loaned to Veolia Towers Hamburg in that first season, during which he also played in the EuroCup. Samar is also a member of the Slovenian national team.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🖊 Žiga Samar refuerza al Dreamland Gran Canaria hasta final de temporada.<br><br>▪ El base esloveno, formado en el Real Madrid, llega en calidad de cedido por el Alba Berlín hasta el término del presente curso.<br><br>➡  <a href="https://t.co/K2TKJrCmEA">https://t.co/K2TKJrCmEA</a> <a href="https://t.co/bBsIhYkj3T">pic.twitter.com/bBsIhYkj3T</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1883583491797102968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The playmaker will reinforce the Granca backcourt for the remainder of the season

Every basketball player works on his shot. They spend hours upon hours on their dribbling. And of course their physical well-being cannot be avoided in a game as demanding as basketball. But Dolomiti Energia Trento forward Anthony Lamb believes players must not forget about their mental health.

Anthony Lamb: 'Take care of your mental health'

Every basketball player works on his shot. They spend hours upon hours on their dribbling. And of course their physical well-being cannot be avoided in a game as demanding as basketball. But [Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/trn/) forward [Anthony Lamb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-lamb/013272/) believes players must not forget about their mental health.

Lamb’s mental strength has made him a major contributor for Trento in his first season in the BKT EuroCup and Europe.

“Mental health is a process, and it's something that you have to focus on probably every day or as much as you can during the week. It's not that you have to focus on it every moment of the day, but you have to understand that there are ups and downs,” said Lamb, who is averaging 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists through 16 games for Trento.

"Just like your physical health, if you don't take care of your mental health, it will decline. So make sure you have somebody to talk to, make sure you have people around you that can support you and that you’re learning how to manage your own cycles and your own emotions, thoughts and the way you interact with the world. Those things go a long way with making sure that you not only can be happy and healthy, but you're getting stronger mentally.”

The top plays of Dolomiti Energia Trento forward Anthony Lamb through the first 16 rounds of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Anthony Lamb's best plays this season

Lamb is convinced that the more you work on your mental health, the better you will cope with problems.

“Just like you can get strong in the weight room, getting strong mentally helps you handle adversity, helps you to handle stress. It helps you to build different disciplines that go into maintaining your mental health, but also making life a lot better and a lot more enjoyable,” he said.

Lamb insists people need to actively get their mental rips in – just like putting up shots during practice.

“Ask questions to people that can help you and find somebody that can help you grow stronger mentally, just like you would find a weight room coach to help you grow stronger in the weight room,” he noted.

Lamb says basketball is a good way for him to de-stress because it’s fun for him. It’s the daily grind off the court –  regular life, bills, making sure family is okay –  that causes him to stress, just like everyone else.

“I've had ups and downs mentally. And my times where I haven't focused on it or haven't put the time in to take care of my own mental health, those are usually the times where I'm the most stressed out or have the most anxiety. When I'm doing my work beforehand and preparing myself for the challenges that I face, that's usually when I'm at my best,” he stated.

“Things like that can weigh down on you if you don't take care of yourself first. So when you're aiming to take care of yourself first and making sure everything else comes second, it lets you prepare for each of those things as they come and not get overwhelmed by them if they all start to stack up on you.”

Mental health problems have become more normalized over the past few years. But Lamb said there are still many, many people who don’t talk about it. And therefore he urges people to ask their friends and loved ones about how they are doing.

“Check in on them to make sure that they are doing all right and are doing okay. And if something seems out of order or they seem like they're acting different in any way and you can notice that change, be willing and have enough courage to go up to them and ask them questions about what's going on with their own life, especially if you care about them,” Lamb said.

“The people around you are the only ones that can really know outside of yourself if you're doing okay or if you're looking like you're acting how you normally do or if something seems like it could be bothering you or stressing you out. And the people who are the strongest have the best ability to hide those times when they're feeling really down. So being willing to ask those questions and put yourself out there for the people around you to make sure that they're doing okay.”

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Lamb has learned the importance of strong mental health over the past few years. He found himself in a dark spot in December 2018 during his third season in college at the University of Vermont. Things were so bad and he didn’t feel like he had a support system around him that he considered committing suicide – contemplating jumping off a bridge late at night in Washington, D.C.

Lamb fought off those dark thoughts and returned to the hotel where his team was staying during a tournament in the D.C. area – many of his teammates and team staff not even knowing he had slipped out.

Lamb has worked his way up to big heights in the game since then.

He ended up playing 94 games in the NBA over three seasons, even getting a chance to play alongside veteran greats like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on the Golden State Warriors in 2022-23.

“Learning from Steph, Clay, and Draymond at a younger age, it was cool to see how they prepared for the season and what they did at that point in their career to stay healthy, to manage the pressure of what the Warriors are and how much everybody shows them support but also how everybody wants to beat them, especially because they were coming off the championship year,” he said.

“So it was cool to see how professionals and Hall of Famers handled themselves in order to remain at the top and continue to play for such a long time. Those guys had 10 plus more years of experience than me. And to learn how they prepared every day definitely helped me a lot in my career.”

Lamb would eventually land with the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian NBL last season and was named to the All-NBL First Team. That came even though he missed the final month of the season after going down with a torn Achilles tendon in early February 2024.

“Missing the end of the year with the Breakers was definitely really hard. I'd fought the whole year and everybody on my team was fighting injuries, but not being able to finish out the season. It sucked, honestly,” he said.

That taught Lamb the important lesson that he has to take care of his body on his own.

“It's really important that you're willing to spend money and invest in yourself and in your own body in order to get yourself in the shape that you need to be because the teams pay you, but it's your responsibility to be ready to play at all times in that process,” he said.

Lamb really does understand the importance of taking care of your body… and your mind.

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The Trento forward believes a player’s mind is just as important as his body and game