Currently on a four-game winning streak in the EuroCup, Erdem Can's Turk Telekom Ankara will look to keep their good run going when they face Valencia Basket at La Fonteta this Tuesday night.

Turk Telekom has turned the ignition at just the right moment

This is precisely the time of the season when all teams are looking to make that extra push, change gear to improve their position in the standings and secure a playoff spot. The is when the serious business starts.

It applies to all competitions. In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, for example, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens coach and three-time champion Ergin Ataman characterized this period as the “end of the party” and the beginning of the real deal.

When it comes to the BKT EuroCup, while other teams seem prone to perhaps surprising mishaps (we are looking at you, Valencia Basket), [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/) looks to be gaining momentum at just the right moment.

Ahead of Round 14, Turk Telekom has jumped to an 8-5 record thanks to four wins over the last four games. The Turkish team hasn’t lost in the competition since November, as the streak began with [a 93-98 road win over 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-rallies-past-lietkabelis-93-98/) on December 4.

After that triumph, Turk Telekom also grabbed victories over [Aris Midea Thessaloniki (87-77)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-stops-aris-87-77/), [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (74-80)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-grabs-pivotal-win-in-ljubljana-74-80/), and then [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (98-89)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/anthony-brown-keeps-turk-telekom-rolling-against-bourg-98-89/) last week.

Not only has this run put them even closer to securing a spot in the postseason but it has placed them in legit contention for a potential top-two finish in Group B and secure a direct ticket to the quarterfinals. They are currently 3rd at 8-5 – the same record as second-placed Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem – and only Valencia has more wins than them with 11 wins and three defeats.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/1767552/turk-telekom-has-turned-the-ignition-at-just-the-right-moment/).

Erdem Can’s side is one of the hottest teams in the EuroCup

Valencia Basket v Turk Telekom Ankara (2025-01-07T19:30:00.000Z)

In this week’s EuroCupbasketball.com interview, Wolves forward Arnoldas Kulboka spoke about his recovery from his knee injury, what it means to play for a young club in Wolves, his relationship with star guard Anthony Cowan and much more

Arnoldas Kulboka: 'I'm just happy to be back on the court'

After nearly a year and a half away from basketball, [Arnoldas Kulboka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/arnoldas-kulboka/006180/) made his return to action with Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius in Round 9 and since then has been slowly but surely recapturing the form that made him an elite prospect. 

The forward left his native Lithuania when he was just 16 to play in Germany. Basketball has since taken Kulboka to play for teams in Italy, Spain, the NBA and Greece. In the summer of 2023, he suffered a knee injury in training camp with Prometey Slobozhanske and he required a second procedure after joining Wolves. But now all of that is in the past. 

In this week’s [EuroCupbasketball.com](http://EuroCupbasketball.com) interview, Kulboka spoke to Frankie Sachs about his recovery from the injury, what it means to play for a young club in Wolves, his relationship with star guard Anthony Cowan and much more.

**It’s great to see you back in form with Wolves. Can you take us through what the last year and a half have been like for you?**

"It's been an awful period of my life for sure, not just on the court, off the court as well. If I could delete 2024 from my life, for sure I would do that, but it is what it is. I'm just happy right now that I can be back on the court and help as much as I can for my team and if we're winning, it's amazing.

"I had a knee injury, I had some problems that had to be fixed and unfortunately the recovery wasn't going well and it took more time than it was supposed to. At the very end, when I was trying to come back on the court, I still felt some discomfort and I just wasted some time over-thinking what I should do when all I had to do was another surgery and that's it. I had the second surgery and finally after a year and a half, I’m back."

**Recovering from an injury like this can also be very difficult mentally. How were you able to stay focused on the recovery?**

"I mean for every person, it's a different thing how you overcome it. For me it was my family around me - my wife, my son – helping me to go through that. There's a lot of help that you can get everywhere. There are many places that you can go and can help you, but it's difficult for me to tell you. It's different for every person how you overcome them, but for me, also basketball helped me a lot. I have that goal that I want to reach one day and it keeps pushing me forward. So I guess that's how it helped me.

"Basketball players, we've been doing this ever since we were kids, 5-6 years old whatever and that's pretty much all you know. You live with this every day and this is our job. Not only job, but it's our life. So at the end of the day, you have certain goals that you want to reach. If you're strong mentally, you keep pushing no matter what. I guess that's how I did it."

Arnoldas Kulboka highlights, Rounds 9-13, 2024-25

Arnoldas Kulboka highlights with Wolves

**Were you able to shoot during the early stages of the injury, or were you forced to stay off the court altogether?**

“I would say the first maybe four months I couldn't even watch basketball. It was really tough mentally just looking at those games and thinking ‘that should be me right there on the court’, especially after the season that I had before in Greece. It felt like I should be there playing and having a good time, so it was kind of tough. I had some problems in my personal life and everything added up, but after that I started shooting again. I was not able to be running on the court and doing many things, but shooting, I was still doing that.”

**Were you still recovering from the original injury when you signed with Wolves over the summer?**

"Yes. The club knew everything. We tried to do the recovery the last part with the club and like I said in the very beginning I still wasn't able to be back 100% so the last step was another surgery and that's it."

**Would you say that you are 100% back to your pre-injury self?**

"I'm still not back 100%, that's for sure. Though it's still been only a month that I'm back. You know, being out of the court for a year and a half, it's difficult to get into rhythm this quick, but I feel like I'm getting better every day and not just month after month, it feels like I'm a different player after every practice, you know, just getting used to my teammates and all that. Even if you're out for a month, you need some time to be back, you need to feel the rhythm, the speed and everything on the court, so it's taking time but I'm happy. I can see that I can already help my team a little bit, so it feels great.

"Team chemistry is good. We're winning games, so it helps a lot, but you know we have a great group of guys, everybody's friendly. Most of the guys knew each other before the season, I would say, especially you know the locals. It's a small country, everybody knows each other, so it's easy to get going and the last thing, I just need some more time to be back 100% on the court, but I feel like everything's been going well, so it won't take too much time."

"I feel like I'm getting better every day and not just month after month, it feels like I'm a different player after every practice, you know, just getting used to my teammates and all that."

**Can you share your emotions when you entered the game for the first time, which I believe was the EuroCup game against Buducnost?**

"When I was on the court, I didn't feel anything new, nothing special, but I would say when we had the warmups and team presentations, when I heard my name again being called and running on the court, that's where I felt something and I could feel some emotions going up. But once I stepped on the court in an actual game, it felt like a natural thing I would say."

**Wolves have won four straight home games, including against some of the top teams in the group. Tell us about the fan support and atmosphere at your games in Vilnius.**

"It's a brand-new club. It's only the third year that we exist and we're kind of making our own history here on the go and kind of building a legacy. So it's a nice thing to be a part of an organization like this. You could feel the first couple seasons that we don't have that many fans, especially having another great club in Vilnius. The fan base that they have is the biggest in the city, but you know winning games, having a great product to show people on the court, I feel like every game we're having more and more fans and it feels amazing, actually. We have a great group of fans over here celebrating for us and like you said, especially when we play at home, we feel that push and we keep winning games and we’re super thankful for the fans."

**From a personal point of view, you are playing in Lithuania for the first time since you left Zalgiris as a 16-year-old. How much are you enjoying this?**

"I mean basketball is basketball no matter where, but at the same time I'm back home for the first time in many, many years. I have my family around me. It's a little bit different than always and it's nice. I missed the Lithuanian weather, I missed the snow, so it feels great."

"I have my family around me. It's a little bit different than always and it's nice. I missed the Lithuanian weather, I missed the snow, so it feels great."

**Your first EuroCup experience came with Promitheas Patras two seasons ago where you were a teammate of Anthony Cowan. This season Cowan has been one of the best players in the competition. What is it like to play with him and what changes have you seen in his game from the 2022-23 season to now?**

"It's a great pleasure to play with him, especially we had that connection. He's a great passer, great slasher, always looking for me on the court and it feels like this was not lost in those couple years that we didn't play together and we're back here again. He's looking for me, for my shot, and it's amazing. Talking about his game, for sure he's having a great year, but he's been playing great for the last couple of years and you could see that in any competition – domestic league, EuroCup, Champions League. I feel like he's ready to make that big step and go further. I’m just happy to see his progress overall. You know, he's improved a lot and is ready to be the team leader. It's been a great pleasure to play with him and I'm super happy for him."

**What is it like playing for Coach Alessandro Magro and what does he bring to the team?**

"Great leader. Not only on the court but like off the court, it's great to have a coach like this. Not only a coach, but a person. In the locker room or traveling or whatever, it's always great to talk to him not only about basketball. He’s the perfect definition of a player’s coach. It's not all about basketball. Sometimes you just gotta be a friend and help each other. Like I said, it's great to have a coach like this."

**Wolves enter Round 14 in the thick of the hunt for a spot in the EuroCup Playoffs. What would it mean to you and the team to take Wolves to the playoffs for the first time?**

"That's the big goal right now for us, just to make it to the playoffs and I feel like we're able to do that and like you said, for the team, for the organization, for a brand-new organization, that would be a big step forward, making the playoffs and putting ourselves on the European map."

Wolves forward Arnoldas Kulboka is shaking off the rust after missing a season and a half to a knee injury and starting to show the form that made him a star

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast co-host Frankie Sachs steps in for Javier Gancedo this week to offer some tips for your fantasy teams

Fantasy tips, Round 14: Timing is everything

Timing is everything in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. If you can predict when a player is about to take off… Or when a superstar is about to have a clunker, it can make the difference between being a fantasy hero and a fantasy zero. This week, I have selected five players who seem poised to put up nice numbers in Round 14, each for different reasons. If they fit into your team, consider yourself lucky!  

 

[**Sam Dekker, Joventut Badalona (13.0 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/)

An All-EuroCup selection two seasons ago, Sam Dekker has yet to put together a monster effort since joining Joventut midseason. At least not in the EuroCup. Over his last three games in the Spanish League, he has averaged 21.7 points with 5 three-pointers and 6.7 rebounds per game. That translates to an average PIR of 26. With Joventut battling to reach the postseason, this could be Dekker’s time to shine.

 

[**Xavier Castaneda, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (11.4 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xavier-castaneda/013266/)

Well rested and facing a team he torched for 23 points earlier this season, Castaneda is a player to consider seriously. There is little downside; Castaneda has scored in double figures in every game this season, is averaging a PIR of 14.2 and his worst PIR was 6 back in early October. With a pretty safe floor and a high ceiling for the matchup against Lietkabelis, Castaneda may be a player to target.

Xavier Castaneda

[**Nick Johnson, Trel Sopot (10.6 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nick-johnson/007426/)

Trefl has made a few roster changes recently and Johnson has become the team’s playmaker. In that role, he has seen his assists rise in each game he has played, peaking at 10 last week. Johnson has averaged 9.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.5 steals for a PIR of 17.0 over his last two games while not shooting well. If his shots fall in the up-tempo contest against Wolves this week, it could be a monster game.

Nick Johnson

[**Vassilis Toliopoulos, Aris Midea Thessaloniki (10.4 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/vassilis-toliopoulos/004292/)

Toliopoulos returned from injury last week and struggled a bit, but that’s why now is the time to buy him! As recently as Round 10, he was worth 11.1 credits. Between the few games he sat out and last week’s 1 PIR performance, his price has dropped. Toliopoulos already went for 10 points and 5 assists (and a PIR of 13) on Saturday against Turkish Airlines EuroLeague power Olympiacos Piraeus in the Greek League and could be due for a nice performance at Cedevita on Wednesday.

 

[**Davide Moretti, Umana Reyer Venice (7.2 credits)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/davide-moretti/005404/)

Reyer heads to Hamburg to face the team that has allowed the most points in the competition thus far and that could make it the right time to bet on a player with a hot hand. Moretti set season-highs last week with 15 points on 4-of-6 three-point shooting in the win over Valencia Basket and he is averaging a PIR of 11.3 over his last three games. For just 7.2 credits, Moretti could net a handsome return.

Round 14 of the BKT EuroCup will deliver several key matchups between direct rivals in the race for postseason action, including both group leaders facing in-form opponents. Here’s your guide to all the action.

At a glance: Round 14 will see the playoff races heat up

## Tuesday, January 7

### [ratiopharm Ulm vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/ratiopharm-ulm-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2024/133/)

Red-hot Ulm (9-4) will look to extend its five-game winning streak against direct rival Gran Canaria (9-4), which is determined to snap a two-game losing run. This season’s first meeting between the teams was a total mismatch, [won 125-78 by the Spanish team](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-overwhelms-ulm-125-78/) with six different double-digit scorers led by [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/) with 20 points. After allowing Gran Canaria to dish 32 assists in that game, Ulm will look for a much tighter defense as well as maintaining the same flowing offense that delivered 104 points to defeat Besiktas last time out. That victory featured 16 points from [Justinian Jessup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/justinian-jessup/013290/), who has hit top form during Ulm’s winning run with double-digit scoring in six of the last seven games.

Round 14 Head-to-Head: Jallow vs. Thomasson

### [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2024/134/)

In-form Hapoel (8-5) will look to continue its push towards the top of Group A with a visit from Trento (4-9), which is sliding towards elimination after losing four of its last five. Hapoel will attempt to maintain a flowing style that has delivered 21.2 assists per game, second-best in the league. [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/) has led those efforts during the recent [absence of Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/patrick-beverley-sidelined-with-quadriceps-tear/), averaging 6.2 assists during the last five games. Trento can take confidence from its victory over Hapoel earlier in the season, [triumphing 79-73](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/trento-shocks-hapoel-with-fourth-quarter-comeback-79-73/) behind 23 points from [Anthony Lamb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-lamb/013272/) – who will again be a key player this week after scoring at least 11 points in five consecutive games.

 

### [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2024/139/)

Two teams heading in opposite directions face an important matchup as Bourg (6-7) looks to snap a three-game losing run with a visit from Lietkabelis (4-8) which has won two of the last three. Lietkabelis, which will be fresh after the postponement of last week’s scheduled game against Cedevita, also has a chance to secure the potential head-to-head tiebreak advantage after [beating the French team 84-80](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys-cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2024/49/), powered by 22 points from big man [Marko Pecarski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-pecarski/005656/), who is no longer with the team. Bourg desperately needs to improve its defense after allowing an average of 96.3 points during its losing run and will hope that [Xavier Castaneda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xavier-castaneda/013266/) can continue his relentless consistency after scoring in double digits every game this season.

 

### [Valencia Basket vs. Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/valencia-basket-turk-telekom-ankara/U2024/138/)

After losing two games in a row, Group B leader Valencia (12-2) will look to get back on track with a testing visit from playoff-chasing Turk Telekom (8-5). Valencia's surprising mini-slump continued last week with its second worst offensive performance of the season, netting [just 74 points at Reyer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/reyer-downs-valencia-climbs-to-winning-record/), and star guard [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-jones/010568/) is searching a return to form after scoring 2 points in that defeat. Turk Telekom, on the other hand, is in great shape after beating direct rival Bourg last week to make it four consecutive victories, and Valencia will be wary of the long-range shooting threat posed by [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/) after he netted 8 triples in that most recent win.

Round 14 Head-to-Head: Ojeleye vs. Brown

## Wednesday, January 8

### [Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/bahcesehir-college-istanbul-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2024/135/)

Two teams in good form meet in Istanbul with Group A leader Bahcesehir (11-2) hosting Buducnost (6-7). The visiting team has boosted its postseason hopes by winning the last two games, most recently overcoming Trefl with 14 points and 6 assists from key backcourt presence [Yogi Ferrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yogi-ferrell/011281/). Last week also saw Bahcesehir show its defensive strength with [a 69-73 win at Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/late-run-allows-bahcesehir-to-beat-trento-69-73-and-advance-to-playoffs/), powered by [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/)’s 10 points and 8 rebounds. Bahcesehir easily won the Round 5 meeting between the teams, [75-92](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bahcesehir-sinks-buducnost-on-the-road-75-92/), with [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) providing a double-double of 21 points and 12 boards. The Turkish team boasts the best defense in the competition, allowing just 72.5 points per game, so Buducnost will need its best version to grab a key road win.

Round 14 Head-to-Head: Odiase vs. Kamenjas

### [U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/u-bt-cluj-napoca-hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem/U2024/136/)

A key battle in the Group B playoff race will see joint-fourth Cluj (7-6) host joint-second Hapoel Jerusalem (8-5). The visitors have confidence restored after breaking a three-game losing streak with last week’s [narrow win over Aris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/jerusalem-fights-back-to-down-aris-90-85-and-snap-skid/), while Cluj needs consistency after alternating wins with losses in the last five games. A home win would give Cluj the potential head-to-head tiebreak advantage after taking [a 73-81 road victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/resilient-cluj-holds-firm-to-stun-hapoel-jerusalem-73-81/) over Jerusalem in Round 5, with [Adam Mokoka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/adam-mokoka/012698/) just missing a double-double with 14 points and 9 boards. That was a good illustration of Cluj’s strong inside game as it is converting 60.6% of two-point shots – second-best in the league, so Jerusalem will need a strong interior defense.

Round 14 Head-to-Head: Mokoka vs. Carrington

### [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius vs. Trefl Sopot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius-trefl-sopot/U2024/131/)

Wolves (7-6) will attempt to hold onto its place in the all-important top six by handing another defeat to rock bottom Trefl (0-13). The Lithuanian team will look to maintain the offensive efficiency which delivered last week’s home win over Joventut, when guard [Kristupas Zemaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kristupas-zemaitis/005516/) delivered his best performance of the season by only missing one shot in his 17 points. Trefl has the [worst offense in the EuroCup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/key-stats-teams/?size=1000&misc=&seasonCode=U2024&category=Score&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=perGame) with an average of just 75.5 points per game, but did come close to an elusive win when the teams met in Round 5 – when 25 points from [Marcus Weathers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-weathers/013297/) was not quite enough to prevent Wolves from grabbing [a 92-99 overtime victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/wolves-hold-on-in-poland-for-second-win-in-a-row/).

### [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana-aris-midea-thessaloniki/U2024/140/)

After missing last week’s scheduled game at Lietkabelis due to adverse weather, playoff-chasing Cedevita (7-5) will be eager to get back in action with a visit from Aris (3-10). Cedevita, which could give a debut to [recent signing Danilo Tasic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-adds-big-man-tasic-to-frontcourt/), will look to put pressure on the visiting team after averaging 8.8 steals per game – second-best in the competition. That was the pattern of this season’s first meeting between the teams when Aris committed 16 turnovers on the way to [a 75-82 home loss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-rallies-back-to-down-aris-75-82/) despite 17 points from sharpshooting [Vassilis Toliopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/vassilis-toliopoulos/004292/), who returned to action in last week’s loss to Jerusalem. The Greek team will know all about the threat of inside dynamo [Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/), who netted 18 points in that Cedevita victory.

### [Joventut Badalona vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/joventut-badalona-besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/U2024/132/)

Joventut (4-9) will attempt to keep its postseason hopes alive by downing a Besiktas team (7-6) scrapping to stay in the top six. The Turkish team has lost the last two games, with a leaky defense [allowing 104 points in last week’s loss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ulm-overpowers-besiktas-104-87/) at Ulm. [Besiktas overcame Joventut 82-76](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul-joventut-badalona/U2024/42/) in Round 5 behind 16 points from livewire guard [Kyle Allman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-allman/011924/) and will pose a major threat from deep after averaging 38.4% of three-point attempts so far – [second-best in the EuroCup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/key-stats-teams/?size=1000&misc=&seasonCode=U2024&category=FieldGoals3Percent&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=perGame). The Spanish side is averaging just 78.8 points per game, but veteran big man [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) won’t give up easily on his team’s playoff hopes after continuing his great season with 18 points in last week’s loss at Wolves.

Round 14 Head-to-Head: Hanga vs. Martin

### [Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/veolia-towers-hamburg-umana-reyer-venice/U2024/137/)

After last week's memorable victory over Valencia, in-form Reyer (7-6) will look to strengthen its push for the playoffs against struggling Hamburg (3-10). The Italian team has won five of the last six, mostly thanks to a much-improved defense and strong physicality that has yielded 37.4 rebounds per game, [third-best in the league](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/key-stats-teams/?size=1000&misc=&seasonCode=U2024&category=TotalRebounds&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=perGame). Backcourt star [Davide Moretti](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/davide-moretti/005404/) will look for more success from deep after netting 4 triples in the win over Valencia, while Hamburg - which has lost four of its last five and is close to dropping out of playoff contention – will hope for long-range inspiration from [Osaro Rich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/osaro-rich/011256/), who has converted 40.6% of his three-point attempts so far this season.

Joventut Badalona v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2025-01-08T18:30:00.000Z)

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2025-01-07T18:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Umana Reyer Venice (2025-01-08T18:30:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2025-01-08T17:45:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2025-01-08T17:00:00.000Z)

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v Trefl Sopot (2025-01-08T17:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2025-01-08T16:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-01-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2025-01-07T18:00:00.000Z)

There has been a rise in post-up usage and efficiency in the EuroCup this season led by Umana Reyer Venice

Stats review: Which teams are using post play to their advantage

Round 13 of the BKT EuroCup saw [Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/roster/vnc/?season=2024-25) hand previously undefeated Valencia Basket its second straight loss to rise back into the playoff picture following some early-season struggles. One source of momentum for Reyer over the last month and a half and a contributing factor to their hard-fought victory has been their ability to play through the post.

It is no secret that modern offenses have pivoted away from post play — while only 1 of 20 teams created less than five possessions per game playing out of post-ups during the 2016-17 season, half the league has fallen under that mark this year. The driving factor in that decline has been obvious in previous seasons as teams scored just 0.86 points per post-up possession in the three years leading up to this one, making it a real challenge to justify throwing the ball inside with teams attempting and making more three-pointers.

This season has seen a renaissance on the block as teams have scored 0.97 points per post-up possession — a massive jump from recent seasons and a little higher than the league average for overall offensive efficiency. That number doesn’t even include passes out of the post, which tend to be quality looks. There’s no specific offensive approach driving the change either, both teams with the personnel to play through the post consistently and those doing so in specific instances have found significantly more success doing so to this point this year. Field goal percentages are up, turnovers are down — there are multiple factors at play.

All of that circles back to Reyer, which has nearly doubled its post usage in the stretch following its sluggish start and ascended to lead all teams in points created through post ups as the table above suggests. That covers not only the points scored in back-to-the-basket situations but those created by passes out of back-to-the-basket situations as well. 

Perhaps the least surprising team on this list is [Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/roster/jov/?season=2024-25), which has been the most consistently balanced offense in the EuroCup over the last decade. The presence of veteran [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) has bolstered the efficiency of those efforts in recent years and he and [Artem Pustovyi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/artem-pustovyi/004834/) have both shot over 51% on the block to rank second and first in individual post scoring, respectively, this season. 

Reyer is the only other team on this list to rival the efficiency of Joventut’s one-on-one scorers though several teams like [U-BT Cluj Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25) and [ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/roster/ulm/?season=2024-25) have been in the same tier on a much smaller volume of chances. [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/) has been very effective using his touch inside while [Aamir Simms](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/aamir-simms/011928/) has been a consistent weapon and [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/) has punished certain matchups as well. 

[Trefl Sopot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/trefl-sopot/roster/tso/?season=2024-25) falls in the middle of the road in one-on-one efficiency but has been extremely effective passing out of the post with its shooters and finishers consistently paying off the efforts of [Geoffrey Groselle](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/geoffrey-groselle/013296/) and [Marcus Weathers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-weathers/013297/). 

[Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) and [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/) give [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25) quality play on the interior while [Nikola Tanaskovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nikola-tanaskovic/005637/) has been the most effective of several interior options for [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/?season=2024-25). Though many of the teams above rely on no fewer than two back-to-the-basket weapons for balance, the notable absence from this list, [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25), relies almost exclusively on [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/). Motley leads the EuroCup scoring or creating over 6 points per game out of the post and that has accounted for close to three-quarters of the team’s post-production when he’s been active. 

Post play may never regain the real estate it held in professional basketball even a decade ago, but it has made a notable comeback in the EuroCup this season and that’s a trend worth keeping an eye on moving forward.

Look back at all the action in Round 13 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Round 13

Look back at all the action from Round 13 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana added depth in the paint by signing forward Danilo Tasic until the end of the season, the club announced on Saturday. 

Cedevita adds big man Tasic to frontcourt


Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana added depth in the paint by signing forward [Danilo Tasic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/sr/ngt/players/danilo-tasic/002555/) until the end of the season, the club announced on Saturday. Tasic (2.07 meters, 31 years old) arrives from FMP Zeleznik of Serbia, where he averaged 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in the ABA League actions. He also had 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the Basketball Champions League.

Tasic has started his career with Konstantin in his Serbian hometown of Nis. He then went on to play with the Romanian clubs Dinamo Bucuresti, CSO Voluntari and Pitesti, AEK Larnaca in Cyprus, Stal Ostrow in Poland, Levski in Bulgaria, SC Derby in Montenegro, and last season he played with Borac Cacak, back in Serbia. Now, he will have an opportunity to make his BKT EuroCup debut this coming week when Cedevita hosts Aris Midea Thessaloniki.

Another great performance in big victory has earned Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem guard Jarad Harper MVP of the Round honor, his fourth of the season.

Round 13 MVP: Jared Harper, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem

Another great performance in big victory has earned Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem guard [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/harper-jared/011970/) MVP of the Round honor, his fourth of the season.

Harper paces Jerusalem to a come-from-behind 90-85 win over Aris Thessaloniki with 29 points, making 2 of 3 two-pointers, 3 of 5 threes and 16 of 17 free throws. Harper also had 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 blocks, while drawing 10 fouls. It all accumulated to PIR of 38, the highest of all players in Round 13.

Right behind Harper was [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brown-anthony/009025/) of Turk Telekom Ankara who had 37 PIR in his team's 98-89 win over Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse. Brown made 4 of 6 two-pointers and 8 of 9 triples, while also collecting 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a block. [Marek Mejeris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mareks-mejeris/005714/) of U-BT Cluj-Napoca had a PIR of 27 in a 104-83 win over Veolia Towers Hamburg, as he finished the game with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Next best PIR, 25, belongs to another Turk Telekom player, [Olivier Hanlan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/olivier-hanlan/006598/), who had 23 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 9 drawn fouls. Four players had a PIR of 22 this round: Cluj's [Adam Mokoka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/adam-mokoka/012698/) and [De'Shawn Stephens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/de-shawn-stephens/006618/), Hamburg's [Kur Kuath](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kuath-kur/013313/) and ratiopharm Ulm's [Thomas Klepeisz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/thomas-klepeisz/010582/).

### Individual highs: Anthony Brown, Turk Telekom, 32 points

Anthony Brown led all scorers with 32 points. Jared Harper is EuroCup's top scorer with 23.3 per game.

[Selom Mawugbe](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/selom-mawugbe/013271/) of Dolomiti Energia Trento had 11 rebounds, the most in Round 13. [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kabengele-mfiondu/012796/) of Umana Reyer Venice averages EuroCup-high 9.5 rebounds.

[Nick Johnson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nick-johnson/007426/) of Trefl Soopt dished 10 assists, more than any player this round. [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/simpson-zavier/013302/) of Cluj is the assists leader with 7.2 per game. Jerusalem's Tarik Phillip tops the steals charts with 2.1 per contest.

As many as 12 different players picked up 3 steals in Round 13.

[Kyle Alexander](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/alexander-kyle/011973/) of Turk Telekom had a round-high 3 blocks. Alexander is the leading shot blocker with 2.0 per game.

[Darral Willis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/darral-willis/profile/010397/) of Aris is the only player with a double-double, having collected 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Harper tied his second-highest PIR of the season.

Congratulations to John Drosakis, our 13th winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! John's team, 'Arianna per sempre', posted a score of 223.46.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 13 winner

Congratulations to John Drosakis, our 13th winner in the 2024-25 [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! John's team, 'Arianna per  sempre', posted a score of 223.46.

John had the following starting lineup: Jared Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem as team captain, then Ante Tomic of Joventut Badalona, Anthony Brown of Turk Telekom Ankara, Noa Essengue of ratiopharm Ulm and Yam Madar of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. Bynton Lemar of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana was his sixth man.

John team's head coach was U-BT Cluj-Napoca play-caller Mihai Silvasan, while the four bench players were Kur Kuath of Veolia Towers Hamburg, Maxime Courby of Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse, Jaroslav Zyskowski of Trefl Sopot and Cluj's Adam Mokoka.

The prize for finishing first in Round 13 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, John!

The leader in the overall standings remains Milos Mihajlovic and his squad, 'BallIsLife', which has a total of 2,258.85 points after the first 13 rounds. Trades are now open for Round 14. 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!