If Round 1 is anything to go by, Aris Thessaloniki Betsson is going to be a problem in the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season. You only have to look at Bryce Jones and Bryn Forbes to know why.

Bryce Jones, Bryn Forbes showed they mean business for Aris

If Round 1 is anything to go by, [Aris Thessaloniki Betsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-thessaloniki-betsson/ari/) is going to be a problem in the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season. You only have to look at [Bryce Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bryce-jones/012621/) and [Bryn Forbes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bryn-forbes/013957/) to know why.

On the road at Umana Reyer Venice, the backcourt pair completed each other brilliantly as [Aris grabbed an 81-85 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/aris-roars-its-way-to-81-85-win-at-reyer/). Just one year ago, Aris also started its EuroCup campaign on the road at Reyer, but it fell to a 20-point defeat. In fact, new Aris head coach Bogdan Karaicic revealed something special in the postgame press conference.

“This is the first time that Aris won in Italy against an Italian team, so it gives some special meaning for Aris in this new beginning and new situation that we are in,” he said. “I will address the fans: we are building something, so don’t just us on our wins and losses. Judge us on our effort. The effort is going to be there for the whole season.

“This is the main thing that we are trying to build here – new character, new effort, and a new situation. Not wins and losses as a priority this season.”

That may be the case, but with Jones and Forbes combining to score 44 of Aris’s 85 points in Round 1, it is understandable that fans are starting to get excited. Jones, in particular, really showed his leadership on the court with a complete performance, not only scoring the ball with a career-high 26 points but grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing 6 assists, and making 1 steal. Forbes, meanwhile, netted 18 points in addition to recording 1 rebound and 2 steals.

“This was a huge road win. We needed this win,” Jones told EuroLeague TV after the game. “I’m just happy for my guys, that we fought together, came together and got the win.”

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EuroCup fans will remember seeing Jones impress for U-BT Cluj-Napoca in the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals as the team reached the quarterfinals, but he is coming off a season in which he led the ABA League in scoring Igokea. His confidence is sky-high and he knows that Aris is his team, yet he is determined to make sure his teammates continue to work hard in order to have a successful year.

“\[We need to focus on\] our daily habits, what it takes to get to this position. That’s just hard work and sacrifice. That’s all I know,” he said. “Me being a leader for this team, I’m trying to lead by example and be more vocal to help them understand that this is what it takes to win. It’s tough. It’s going to be hard, but this is more meaningful. Doing it for these fans is amazing.”

The many Aris supporters who made the trip to Venice will remember Tuesday night for a long time – and if Jones and Forbes maintain their Round 1 form, there could be plenty more nights like it ahead.

Game News

The Greek giant has a backcourt duo that will be the envy of many this season

Umana Reyer Venice v Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (2025-09-30T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris Thessaloniki Betsson recorded a statement win in Round 1 of the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season by downing Umana Reyer Venice 81-85 on the road.

Aris roars its way to 81-85 win at Reyer

Aris Thessaloniki Betsson recorded a statement win in Round 1 of the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season by downing Umana Reyer Venice 81-85 on the road.

Bryce Jones and Bryn Forbes combined for 44 of Aris’s points on the night, with the former scoring 26 points and the latter pouring in 18. It was an all-around performance by Jones as he also amassed 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal. Ronnie Harrell, who returned to Aris this past summer, added 13 points and Stelios Poulianitis chipped in with 10. Reyer’s top scorer was Ky Bowman with 14 points, followed by Chris Horton with 13, and Kyle Wiltjer with 12.

Game Videos

Although Jones and Forbes helped give Aris a 3-7 lead early on, Jordan Parks and Wiltjer joined forces as part of a 9-0 run to give Reyer a 12-7 edge. Wiltjer helped push the lead to 17-9, but Aris responded through Steven Enoch, Harrell and Georgios Gkiouzelis before Forbes’s three cut the gap to two points, 21-19. A triple by Carl Wheatle and a free throw by Amedeo Tessitori gave Reyer a 27-20 advantage after 10 minutes.

Bowman put Reyer nine points ahead early in the second, 29-20, but Forbes, Harrell and Jones refused to go away, combining to make it 33-31. Although RJ Cole and Bowman gave the hosts breathing room at 38-31, Harrell netted 6 straight points to maintain the pressure, 38-37, and Poulianitis gave Aris its first lead since 3-7 at 38-39. At halftime, there was nothing to separate the teams as the score was knotted at 49-49.

The lead kept changing hands for the majority of the third frame, but it was Aris which finally led by more than one possession when Forbes’s triple put the guests 62-66 ahead with 2:21 remaining in the quarter. Jones and Enoch swelled the advantage to 62-70 before Parks’s three-pointer made it 65-70 heading into the fourth quarter.

There was an expected late charge from Reyer, yet Enoch and Poulianitis kept things comfortable at 68-76. Jones kept charging for Aris, too, fighting off the best efforts of Horton and Bowman to flip the script. The Aris guard netted 10 of his 26 points in the final quarter, with the last three putting the win on ice as split free throws before going coast to coast to score the final basket of the game.

Umana Reyer Venice 81-85 Aris Thessaloniki Betsson | Round 1 highlights

The Greek team’s fans really made their presence felt inside Palasport Taliercio

Back in the BKT EuroCup after a one-season break, Slask Wroclaw celebrated its return with a home win, beating Neptunas Klaipeda 95-85 in Round 1. Jakub Niziol and Kadre Gray stood out as two of the game’s impact players.

Kadre Gray, Jakub Niziol led Slask past Neptunas

Back in the BKT EuroCup after a one-season break, [Slask Wroclaw](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/slask-wroclaw/wro/) celebrated its return with a home win, [beating Neptunas Klaipeda 95-85](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/slask-starts-eurocup-season-with-victory-over-neptunas-95-85/) in Round 1. [Jakub Niziol](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jakub-niziol/005531/) and [Kadre Gray](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kadre-gray/013921/) stood out as two of the game’s impact players.

Polish guard Niziol played with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and a PIR of 26, while Gray added 21 points and 3 assists.

Niziol made his mark on the defensive glass, putting in significant effort on defense and helping Slask gain momentum. One of the key moments when the margin reached double digits for the first time came when Niziol grabbed his own rebound and converted it with a layup. 

Gray carried the offensive load, scoring 21 points and stepping up with crucial three-pointers in key moments. Both guards created opportunities for teammates, with Noah Kirkwood benefiting from their contributions. 

Despite committing 16 turnovers, Slask’s backcourt dominated offensively, compensating for the mistakes and securing the win.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pl" dir="ltr">Tak możemy inaugurować każdy sezon 🤩<br><br>Pierwsze zwycięstwo w tegorocznym <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> wpada na nasze konto 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/plkpl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#plkpl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hej%C5%9Al%C4%85sk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HejŚląsk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoweOtwarcie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoweOtwarcie</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZvO2XZNpXz">pic.twitter.com/ZvO2XZNpXz</a></p>&mdash; WKS Śląsk Wrocław - koszykówka (@WKS_SlaskBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/WKS_SlaskBasket/status/1973100819168829531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In the postgame interview, Niziol highlighted the team’s effort, saying: ‘‘I couldn’t imagine a better start. We got the win, that’s most important for us. The fans came out first game. The first half wasn’t perfect for us but we competed the whole 40 minutes. We made mistakes but we made it up with great effort and I’m glad we got the win.’’

In the press conference, Gray noted how the team’s chemistry contributed to the win: ‘‘Just from day one, all the guys coming in here, it just seems like our personalities all match each other. We are a young group, I have never been on a team where I am one of the oldest guys now. I’m just kinda embracing that leadership role. I’m hungry, I want to make the most of this opportunity, so I'm just using it to motivate the guys and put us in position to win.’’

The duo stood out for the Polish side in the opening round of the season

Slask Wroclaw v Neptunas Klaipeda (2025-09-30T17:00:00.000Z)

Austin Wiley was a force in Tuesday's season-opener, racking up 14 points and 11 rebounds to help Jerusalem to an 85-100 road win at Hamburg. 

Austin Wiley's double-double is great news for Jerusalem

There was a lot of hoopla around [Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-jerusalem/roster/jer/)'s signing of [Austin Wiley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/austin-wiley/013278/) in the summer of 2024. He was coming off a monster season in which he led the Turkish League and the Basketball Champions League in rebounding and blocks. And he was reuniting with his old college teammate [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/).

Wiley showed flashes early with more than 10 rebounds in two of his first three EuroCup appearances, including 17 boards against Veolia Hamburg Towers. But then a wrist injury struck and he missed a large period of time. When he returned late in the season, Wiley was not a difference-maker.

Austin Wiley (14 points) Highlights vs. Hamburg Towers, 09/30/2025

Austin Wiley posted a double-double at Hamburg

It certainly looks like Wiley is ready to make up for lost time. He was a force in Tuesday's season-opener, racking up 14 points and 11 rebounds to help Jerusalem to [an 85-100 road win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/jerusalem-triumphs-85-100-in-hamburg/) at Hamburg. He collected 4 offensive rebounds and turned 3 of those into baskets. The big man only missed one shot and also blocked a shot, while intimidating opponents on many others.  

Wiley won’t be asked to carry the Jerusalem offense often. He was one of six scorers in double figures against Hamburg with [Khadeen Carrington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/khadeen-carrington/008912/) and Harper leading the way with 19 and 16 points, respectively. The fact that Jerusalem has such a dangerous backcourt should continue to open up things for the big man, who showed that he can finish with style when given the ball in position.

The next week will be a busy one for Wiley and co. Jerusalem was due to fly on  chartered flight direct to New York after the game to play the Brookly Nets in an exhibition on Saturday before facing Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in Round 2 of the EuroCup next week. 

It may be too early to say that Wiley is set to dominate the paint this season, but it was a great start and if he can do the same next week, it will be a reason to celebrate in the Israeli capital.

Could the big man be due for a monster second season in the EuroCup?

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2025-09-30T17:30:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem opened its 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season with an 85-100 road victory over Veolia Hamburg Towers at Inselpark Arena on Tuesday

Jerusalem triumphs 85-100 in Hamburg

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem opened its 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season with an 85-100 road victory over Veolia Hamburg Towers at Inselpark Arena on Tuesday. Khadeen Carrington had the hot hand early and led six Jerusalem scorers in double figures with 19 points.

Jared Harper added 16 points, while big men Austin Wiley and Justin Smith netted 14 apiece. Wiley also collected 11 boards. Anthony Lamb contributed 12 points and Roi Huber scored 10 in his EuroCup debut. Eric Reed and Carlos Stewart led the way for Hamburg with 21 points each in defeat. Osaro Rich scored 10 and Zacharie Perrin grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

The teams traded buckets early with a triple by Rich giving the hosts an 11-10 edge. Lamb and Yovel Zoosman helped Jerusalem regain the lead. Hamburg kept it close thanks to threes by Reed and Zsombor Maronka and Stewart tied it at 23-23 from the line. Huber and Nimrod Levi came off the bench to lead a 1-9 charge and Jerusalem led 26-32 after 10 minutes.

Hamburg narrowed the gap to 2 only to see Carrington fire off 7 straight points. Josiah-Jordan James's first EuroCup points gave Jerusalem a double-digit lead, 32-43. Reed and Stewart revived Hamburg, which rallied late in the quarter to get within 1. Harper free throws gave the visitors a 50-53 halftime lead.   

Wiley helped keep Jerusalem ahead with a pair of buckets in the paint early in the second half. Reed continued to fuel the Hamburg attack, bringing his team within 62-64. Smith gave the visitors some breathing room and a jumper by Huber made it an 8-point game. Stewart stepped up for Hamburg and Levi's dunk left Jerusalem on top 68-74 at the end of the third quarter.

Wiley continued to own the paint and Carrington sniped a three as Jerusalem stretched its lead to 71-83. Stewart gave Hamburg hope with a triple and a mid-range jumper. Lamb and Harper put the game to bed with baskets down the stretch and the reigning MVP had the honor of taking Jerusalem into triple figures with the last points of the game.

Veolia Towers Hamburg 85-100 Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | Round 1 highlights

Khadeen Carrington led six Jerusalem scorers in double figures with 19 points

Slask Wroclaw started the new BKT EuroCup season with a solid 95-85 win over Neptunas Klaipeda at Centennial Hall. After a one-season absence from the EuroCup, team effort brought the victory to Slask in Round 1.

Slask starts EuroCup season with victory over Neptunas, 95-85

Slask Wroclaw started the new BKT EuroCup season with a solid 95-85 win over Neptunas Klaipeda at Centennial Hall. After a one-season absence from the EuroCup, team effort brought the victory to Slask in Round 1.

Jakub Niziol posted 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners, which gave him a 26 PIR, while Kadre Gray added 21 points and 3 assists. Noah Kirkwood also contributed 14 points and 6 assists. Neptunas was paced by Arnas Velicka, who recorded a double-double of 16 points and 10 assists. James Karnik added 14 points and 6 rebounds, and Donatas Tarolis chipped in with 13 points and 5 boards.

The opening quarter began with Neptunas taking the first possession, but Gray scored the first points at the line. Tarolis added the first three-pointer to make it 9-4. Slask responded as Niziol’s block led to Kirkwood’s basket, and soon after Jared Colman’s block set up Dejon Davis in transition, sparking a 7-0 run for a 19-11 edge. Kirkwood’s drives kept Slask in control, and the hosts closed the first quarter ahead, 28-21.

After a two-minute scoring drought to start the second quarter, Zane Waterman hit a triple to spark Neptunas, and Richard Lomasz added another for a 29-28 lead. Slask answered with Stefan Dordevic inside and a three-point play from Kirkwood before Waterman tied it at 34-34. Velicka then stole the ball and scored for a 39-37 edge. A close quarter ended with Neptunas holding a narrow 47-45 advantage.

The third quarter opened with Gray scoring for Slask, but Velicka answered from deep. Velicka became the key figure of the quarter, directing plays and keeping Neptunas in rhythm. Karnik’s alley-oop gave Neptunas a 50-49 lead, but Slask responded with three-pointers from Niziol and Issuf Sanon to move in front, 58-55. In a back-and-forth finish, Slask held a slim 70-69 edge.

Velicka assisted Karnik for a layup to start the fourth period, but both teams tightened their defense, keeping the scoring low in the first five minutes. With 2:44 remaining, Niziol converted his own rebound into a layup, pushing Slask’s lead into double digits for the first time. Neptunas kept fighting, but Slask controlled the final stretch and sealed the win with Gray’s three-pointer.

Jakub Niziol starred on the night for the Polish side

ratiopharm Ulm recorded the first win of the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup campaign after beating Turk Telekom Ankara 93-96 at Ankara Spor Salonu in the season’s curtain raiser.

Ulm stuns Turk Telekom on the road, 93-96

ratiopharm Ulm recorded the first win of the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup campaign after beating Turk Telekom Ankara 93-96 at Ankara Spor Salonu in the season’s curtain raiser.

The German side were led all night long by Mark Smith, who starred on his EuroCup debut with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. Tobias Jensen came up clutch for Ulm down the stretch with 3 timely three-pointers in the fourth quarter en route to 18 points, while Nelson Weidemann had 12 points, Christian Sengfelder netted 11, and Chris Ledlum paired 10 points with 8 boards.

Turk Telekom’s top scorer was Jordan Usher with 24 points, followed by Jaleen Smith with 17, Kyle Allman with 14, Kris Bankston with 12, and Berkan Durmaz with 10.

There was little to separate the two teams in the early going, but Mark Smith and Weidemann ensured Ulm was in a good situation at 8-12. There was the inevitable fightback by Turk Telekom, aided by the entrance of Jaleen Smith and Allman, and the hosts looked ready to take control of the game at 20-16. Yet, Ulm kept fighting – getting scores through Ledlum and Sengfelder – to ensure it was 23-20 after 10 minutes.

It soon became the Mark Smith show for Ulm, with the guard scoring 15 points in the second quarter alone to give the visitors a 39-48 edge at halftime. He netted 10 of those in the first six and a half minutes as Ulm went up by eight, 30-38, and center Malik Osborne gave his team its biggest lead to that point at 31-40 shortly after. Despite the best efforts of Usher, Bankston and Durmaz, who pulled it within 38-42 inside the final minute of the half, a combined six points by Ledlum and Smith made it a nine-point ballgame at the interval.

The first double-digit lead of the game arrived a few minutes into the third quarter as Schoormann and Mark Smith joined forces to put Ulm 45-55 ahead. An 8-0 Turk Telekom run had coach Ty Harrelson pulling his hair out, 53-55, and it seemed the momentum had truly swung when Usher stepped up to give the hosts a 64-61 advantage. However, Mark Smith calmed things down for Ulm once more, and Sengfelder showed what he can do with 7 points late in the period to give his team a 65-70 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Early in the final period, it was the turn of Jensen and Schoormann to display their talent as Ulm went back up by double digits, 68-78. Jaleen Smith and Allman found their rhythm once more, though, and made things nervy for Ulm at 79-83. That’s when Jensen started his heroics, knocking the down the first of three fourth-quarter triples to ensure Ulm remained ahead, the last of which coming with 33 seconds left, 85-92. Schoormann and Ledlum then helped wrap it up from the line as Ulm grabbed a 93-96 victory.

Turk Telekom Ankara 93-96 ratiopharm Ulm | Round 1 highlights

Coach Harrelson’s men started the season in the best way possible

Turk Telekom Ankara v ratiopharm Ulm (2025-09-30T16:00:00.000Z)

The Euroleague.net journalists have explained who they think will win the EuroCup and why.

Predicting the 2025-26 EuroCup champion

Ahead of opening night in the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season, the [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) journalists – Geoff Gillingham, Javier Gancedo, Frankie Sachs and Igor Petrinovic – have taken the bold step of predicting which team will be lifting the EuroCup trophy in late April.

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv achieved that honor last season, as did Paris Basketball before the season before that, but who will go all the way this season?

### Bahcesehir goes all the way

***Javier Gancedo***

This is a highly ambitious project, and the club has been consistently signing top-tier talent over the past three seasons. Bahcesehir has added [Trevion Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/trevion-williams/012604/), who was unstoppable during the 2023–24 EuroCup campaign with ratiopharm Ulm, and [Balsa Koprivica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/balsa-koprivica/011050/), who consistently proved his worth whenever given significant minutes with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. 

The team also brought in sharpshooter [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/), whose clutch performances propelled Gran Canaria to the EuroCup Finals last season, knocking Bahcesehir out in the process, alongside [Matt Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) and [Hunter Hale](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/hunter-hale/013909/). 

Crucially, Bahcesehir retained its core group, led by [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/), [Kenan Sipahi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenan-sipahi/005275/), and [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/). 

This roster has it all: EuroCup experience, athleticism, scoring power, and talent across every position. I'm picking Bahcesehir as my favorite to win it all this EuroCup season.

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPL3ZcKDIc8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPL3ZcKDIc8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPL3ZcKDIc8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@bkbasketbol)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### It’s Cluj’s time

***Igor Petrinovic***

I know that it might not be the most obvious pick, but I really like what U-BT Cluj-Napoca did this offseason to make itself better. Quarterfinalists in each of the last two seasons, Cluj might have lost some important pieces but I love who they picked up. 

In the backcourt, there is the scoring threat of [Fatts Russell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/daron-russell/013943/), who I think is ready to drop 40 points each game, and on the wings it is [Mitch Creek](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mitchell-creek/013927/) who can keep dropping the buckets. Then, they added tremendous experience with [Jeffery Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jeffery-taylor/006546/), and maybe got themselves a couple of gems under the rims with [Nathan Mensah](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nathan-mensah/013514/) and [Dusan Miletic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dusan-miletic/009896/). 

All of them playing under Cluj’s long-tenured coach Mihai Silvasan, who is a great coaching mind. I think it could be a special season for Cluj… a EuroCup-winning season!

<center>
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### Besiktas has everything it needs

***Geoff Gillingham***

I’ll tell you what, I am so impressed with the work done by Besiktas GM Nedim Yücel year in, year out. He’s consistently built very competitive rosters since Besiktas’s return to the EuroCup in 2023-24, but he might have outdone himself this summer.

In addition to retaining [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) – a possible MVP candidate if things go well – Yücel brought in proven EuroCup talent in All-EuroCup Second Team selection [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/), [Devon Dotson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devon-dotson/013285/), and [Brynton Lemar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brynton-lemar/013261/). If the three-pronged guard lineup of Mathews, Dotson and Lemar is enough to make the mouth salivate, wait until you see Besiktas’s big man options. 

Center [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-zizic/004554/) has spent six seasons in the EuroLeague and three in the NBA, but he’ll get his first taste of the EuroCup this coming season, while the player backing him up is none other than [Ismael Kamagate](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ismael-kamagate/011926/), who really stood out for Paris in the 2022-23 EuroCup campaign. 

You know when you look at a roster and you see talented player after talented player? That’s how I feel with Besiktas. The Turkish side has the best coach in the EuroCup in Dusan Alimpijevic, too. Mark these words: Besiktas will be the 2025-26 EuroCup champion.

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPMXZ_uDDpD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPMXZ_uDDpD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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### Hapoel Jerusalem has the championship blueprint

***Frankie Sachs***

Jerusalem finished second in its regular-season group last season before slipping up in the quarterfinals and had the EuroCup MVP. That MVP, [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/), is back along with five more core players. 

The team added more scoring, more defense and more depth and as a result, is a lot more dangerous. With Harper, [Khadeen Carrington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/khadeen-carrington/008912/) and [Cassius Winston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/cassius-winston/011940/), Jerusalem has unparalleled backcourt scoring. 

Anthony Lamb is another serious offensive weapon, while [Austin Wiley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/austin-wiley/013278/), [Dmytro Skapintsev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dmytro-skapintsev/013905/) and [Yovel Zoosman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yovel-zoosman/006625/) can anchor a tough defense. 

Sounds like a blueprint for a championship team to me!

<center>
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The Euroleague.net journalists have explained who they think will win the EuroCup and why

Lietkabelis Panevezys v Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (2025-10-01T16:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2025-10-01T16:00:00.000Z)

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 1 of the 2025-26 EuroCup season, and who might be missing in action.

Round 1: Pregame quotes and injury reports

## Tuesday, September 30

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. ratiopharm Ulm (18:00 CEST)

\--

### Slask Wroclaw vs. Neptunas Klaipeda (19:00 CEST)

\--

### Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (19:30 CEST)

**Benka Barloschky, Hamburg head coach** 

"For the game, I'm expecting my team to respond again. We've had two defeats recently. We're going through an important phase that can take us forward – and will take us forward if we put the defeats into perspective and take the right steps. Of course, we're facing a strong opponent in Jerusalem, who are clearly among the favorites to win the EuroCup. They have a lot of continuity in their team and, surprisingly, they've also managed to keep their MVP – I would have thought he would move to the EuroLeague. Every position is very strongly covered by two players. I'm very excited to see how we'll fare against this great opponent."

**JP Tokoto, Hamburg forward**

"I'm really looking forward to the start of the EuroCup, especially with this group. It will be a huge challenge; Jerusalem is a very good team. I saw their last games against Maccabi, and they looked really strong. It will be a tough test, but we won't shy away from it. Over the last two years, the team has gotten better and better. You can see that they are very well coached and play with a lot of discipline. And they also have players who can bring a high level of play to the court. We have to perform at our best, otherwise Jerusalem will punish every little mistake."

**Zsombor Maronka, Hamburg forward**

"I'm really excited that the EuroCup is starting again. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to play too many games last season, so it's all the more wonderful that I'm back now. I think it will be a very physical game. They have a lot of experienced players on their team. It will be important for us to find our energy very quickly and take them out of their comfort zone. If we can do that, we'll have a lot of fun."

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (20:00 CEST)

**Neven Spahija, Reyer head coach**

"We're happy that the season is finally starting officially. We're happy to be able to make our debut in front of our home crowd, which is always a great advantage for us. The team is well-prepared and focused; we've worked very well over the last few weeks. We are facing a talented team in Aris, even though they have seven new players. We have analyzed their preseason and we are convinced that their results don't reflect their real quality: they are a dangerous team, but we are ready. Our goal is to continue on the path we started in the preseason. We definitely need to be better and more consistent on defense, but we can continue to improve in all aspects of the game."

**RJ Cole, Reyer guard**

"To beat Aris, we'll have to communicate well, especially on defense. The most important thing will be getting defensive stops and taking pride and confidence from our defense to fuel our offense. I know a couple of their players, like Enoch, who played with me. They are a good team, and we'll have to do a great job to beat them. Our home crowd will help us, I'm sure of it!"

**Bogdan Karaicic, Aris head coach**

"After a long and hard preseason, we start our official obligations in Italy. Reyer Venezia is a very strong opponent, with high ambitions in this season’s BKT EuroCup. We faced injury problems in our preparation and we won’t have Arnoldas Kulboka in this game, but we are determined to give our soul in Venezia, to start the season in a positive way. To accomplish that, we have to be consistent, intense and have energy in the defensive part, so that we have a good offensive game."

**Stelios Poulianitis, Aris guard**

"It’s the first official game of the season and we are excited about it. We have to face a very good team, that strengthened its roster with quality players. From our side, we have to be focused and determined for 40 minutes and follow the coaching staff’s plan, to get the result we want. We know we will have our fans’ support and we want to give our 100% to satisfy them."

***All of Reyer's players are available.*** 

## Wednesday, October 1

### Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (18:00 CEST)

\--

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (18:00 CEST)

**Mihai Silvasan, Cluj head coach**

"We are looking forward to the official start of the season. We will face a very strong team, one of the favorites to win the EuroCup this year, but playing at home in front of our fans gives us confidence. We believe we have the quality to challenge them and fight for the win."

**Patrick Richard, Cluj guard**

"We are excited to begin a new EuroCup season, with the goal of improving every year. Starting at home against a strong Turkish team, we want to open with a victory in front of our fans. With many new players, we are ready to grow together week by week and build momentum."

### Panionios Athens vs. NINERS Chemnitz (18:30 CEST)

**Luka Pavicevic, Panionios Athens head coach**

"After six weeks of meeting each other, the new team of Panionios BC is starting the 2025-2026 BKT EuroCup season against Chemnitz. This game brings excitement to us, as a team, on many different levels. Chemnitz is a team with established culture and it is a very difficult first opponent, but we are looking forward to accepting this challenge! Together with our fans, we are happy to compete in Europe again, in this competition and at this level."

**Nikos Gkikas, Panionios Athens guard**

"We are very pleased because an exciting season in the BKT EuroCup is about to begin. A very strong competition with quality, historic teams and intense rivalry! It is a challenge for all of us. This year, Panionios BC celebrates 50 years since its first participation in a European competition, returning after an absence of eight years. It is very important for us to take part in this new beginning. Niners Chemnitz are a very good team, with recent successes and a coach who has been working with them for a decade, instilling principles and philosophy. We respect them, and we look forward to seeing the arena filled with fans so that they can help us start the BKT EuroCup with a victory."

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. BAXI Manresa (18:30 CEST)

**Zvezdan Mitrovic, Cedevita Olimpija head coach**

"One of the most attractive teams of last season’s Spanish league is coming to us. They are the fastest team in the league, executing the most fast breaks per game. Most of their plays are built out of transition, which is a big challenge for us. Their system requires players who enjoy playing fast basketball – and they have found them. We analyzed some of their preseason games, and they were outstanding in the Catalan Cup. For us, this will be a very demanding game, especially because of the high tempo that Manresa maintains for the full 40 minutes. Defensively, we will need to respond firmly, particularly on the center line, since they have several big men who like to run. They use all 12 players in their rotation. Our guys are working very well, but none of the newcomers have experience playing at the EuroCup level."

**Aleksej Nikolic, Cedevita Olimpija guard**

"This is a classic Spanish team that likes to play fast basketball and finish their possessions as quickly as possible. Defensively, they are very aggressive and try to force the opponent into as many mistakes and turnovers as possible, which they turn into their transition game. Our task will be to slow down the tempo and play smart. I’m excited about the new season. We have quite a few fresh faces who came to Ljubljana with the goal of taking their careers to a higher level, so they are eager to prove themselves. In practices, I can see they are very diligent, hardworking, and motivated to show themselves through good performances and results. Of course, they will need some time to adapt to coach Mitrović’s way of working, so we must take it game by game and prove ourselves each time with the right approach and energy. We can’t wait to step onto the court in front of our fans. On this occasion, I invite everyone to join us in Stožice. We need you, we need your energy, so that together we can achieve as many wins as possible."

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (20:00 CEST)

**Fabio Bongi, Trento assistant coach**

"On Wednesday, we'll face Bourg, a physical and very aggressive team on both sides of the court. Their point guard, Darius McGhee, is a great leader and a high scorer, and they can count on big players such as Mokoka, Lindo, Gach, and Kokila. They also bring energy and players with great European experience off the bench. It will be a tough game for us, one that will teach us a lot: we need to gain experience and continue playing together to cement this group and become a solid and reliable team as quickly as possible."

**DJ Steward, Trento guard**

"We've finished the preseason and now we finally have the regular season ahead of us. I can't wait to play our first home game in front of our fans: I'm sure they'll give us a lot of energy! We'll be facing Bourg, a really strong team with great players, and I'm happy to be making our EuroCup debut this season. We're preparing well for Wednesday's game and we're ready to give it our all on the court, playing to the best of our ability to try and get our first win in front of our fans."

**Frederic Fauthoux, Bourg head coach**

“Trento is a completely rebuilt team with pace and a lot of speed in their game, they can be very dangerous. It's up to us to stay in control and master the pace of the game while remaining focused on the main thing: winning this game.”

**Darius McGhee, Bourg guard**

“We are excited about this game! There has been a ton of focus on how we can get better collectively and we are very motivated!"

## Thursday, October 2

### London Lions vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (20:30 CEST)

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London Lions v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2025-10-02T18:30:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2025-10-01T18:00:00.000Z)

Panionios Athens v NINERS Chemnitz (2025-10-01T16:30:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v BAXI Manresa (2025-10-01T16:30:00.000Z)