[Yago dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) arrived at ratiopharm Ulm with some high expectations thanks to some lofty past achievements. And now after a few weeks of adjusting to his first experience in Europe, the Brazilian point guard is starting to shine brightly in the 7DAYS EuroCup.

Dos Santos’s resume before coming to Germany included Brazilian League championships with Paulistano and Flamengo as well as the Basketball Champions League Americas title and the FIBA Intercontinental Cup with Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo. Not to mention having played at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers and winning silver at the FIBA AmeriCup 2022.

All of those accomplishments as a 23-year-old.

Next up for the native of Tuna, Sao Paulo, in southern Brazil was making the jump to Europe.

"I always wanted to challenge myself at all levels. I did a lot of things in Brazil and it was time to take the next step. I have a lot of dreams and know that the road is not easy, but I am happy for everything I have achieved and thrilled to find out what's left for me to conquer while playing basketball,” said dos Santos, who signed a two-year contract with Ulm this off-season.

"I always wanted to come to Europe and play here and when I got the news that playing for Ulm was a possibility, I was very happy and it was the best decision to play here."

Dos Santos went through some initial growing pains. In his first four games in the German League plus Ulm’s German Cup game, the 1.75-meter playmaker averaged 4.6 points while shooting 33.3% on two-pointers and missing all 15 of his three-pointers to go with 2.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists with 1.8 turnovers in just under 20 minutes.

Things in the last three league games have drastically improved as dos Santos is pouring in 21.0 points on 58.8% two-point shooting and 9-of-21 three-pointers (42.9%) while also chipping in 3.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.3 turnovers in 30.3 minutes.

He also has excelled in international play with Ulm, averaging 10.8 points on 54.5% and 36.8% shooting, 2.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 turnovers in 22 minutes of four EuroCup games.

"I knew that the playing style and the way people play would be different. I also knew that things would get better and it was only a matter of time,” dos Santos said. "I am understanding more about the systems and the playing style, earning my teammates' and coaches' confidence. This helps me a lot.”

Another problem dos Santos faced early on was not being able to take part in Ulm’s pre-season training camp since he was with the Brazilian national team at the 2022 AmeriCup where the South Americans took home the silver medal after a 75-73 loss to Argentina in the final on September 11.

"We did not do our preseason training camp together, and that stood in our way from getting to know each other,” said dos Santos, who tallied 11 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals in the title game. “We are making progress, learning and evolving, even after losses. This is a great team, I love it. All of us in here are going to improve a lot.”

Yago Dos Santos Top Plays from 09/30/2022 to 11/21/2022

Yago Dos Santos ratiopharm Ulm - Top Plays

While he was not in Europe, dos Santos did have ample time to talk about basketball in Europe with two of his Brazilian teammates at the AmeriCup: Vitor Benite and Cristiano Felicio.

Gran Canaria playmaker Benite is playing his third EuroCup season after spending 2016-17 with Murcia and 2018-19 with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in addition to winning the Basketball Champions League twice with San Pablos Burgos. In fact, dos Santos beat Benite and Burgos in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

"He is one of the leaders in the Brazilian national team. He helped a lot when I got to the team. He is a great friend and I am a big fan of his. Beating him was a lot of fun,” dos Santos laughed. “It was a great title for Brazil and Flamengo."

Dos Santos also spoke with Felicio, who actually played with Ulm in 2021-22.

"I spoke a lot with Felicio because he is a great friend who had lived in Ulm,” said dos Santos.

Now that the initial struggles are out of the way and Ulm is starting to pick up wins in the German League - two victories in the last three games for a 2-5 record - dos Santos can think about leading Ulm to success just like he did in Brazil.

“I want to win, no matter the game or the championship. It makes Ulm fans happy and we will take the club's name as high as possible. This is encouraging for me.”

Ulm’s dos Santos shining after making adjustments

**Back in the 2010-11 season, Jayson Granger was a young point guard who helped Asefa Estudiantes reach the 7DAYS EuroCup quarterfinals. More than 11 years later, Granger is back in the competition as a well-rounded playmaker with plenty of EuroLeague experience. He played for Unicaja Malaga, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Anadolu Efes Istanbul and ALBA Berlin before joining Umana Reyer Venice last summer. More recently, Granger got married and has two young kids. Checking in from the City of Canals, Granger is ready to tell us everything about Reyer and its EuroCup run in his blog, right here on [EuroCupBasketball.com](http://EuroCupBasketball.com)! **

First things first, we already played four EuroCup games, lost the first two and won the next two for a 2-2 record. We have nine new players and knew we needed time to adjust, but I would be lying if I said we weren't surprised to start 0-2. In the end, like I said, we are a new roster with many new players. Moreover, Reyer had the same core of players for many years, and the same head coach. Finding the right chemistry takes a while, it is a process and we are all adjusting to it right now. We have gotten better as the weeks go by, and I am convinced that we still have a lot of room for improvement. 

"I am facing players who may not have big names, but it is never easy."

We lost by one point in Ulm and went on to lose against Bourg, the only undefeated team left in the EuroCup. They surprised us at home, playing very physical basketball and finding the right players on offense all game long. Both losses were painful but were able to bounce back in the last two games, and now we will try to build a winning streak. Our next game is at home against Lietkabelis, an experienced team. Lithuanian teams know how to play basketball and Lietkabelis is no exception. We play at home and that is always an advantage, but we already lost at home. We cannot be surprised at home again. 

We have very experienced players on this team, like our other point guard, Marco Spissu, who is an extraordinary teammate. We don't share much playing time on the floor, both being playmakers, but we help each other out a lot in practices and games. He is a player with huge upside who has taken many steps forwards in recent years, playing great in the EuroLeague with UNICS Kazan and with his national team. Both of us have a big role in this team, and our coach trusts us.

2022-23 EuroCup highlights: Jayson Granger, Reyer

We are an old-school team in many ways, which is good. The players' positions are very precise, but due to the deep roster that we have, all positions are really well-covered. Our coach's systems adjust really well to the type of players that we have, on offense and defense. We will improve throughout the season as we understand each other even better. That will be one of the keys to the season: take the chemistry that we have off the court and put it on the court. 

It is my first EuroCup season in over a decade; I last played it with Estudiantes in 2011. It was a long time ago, I was starting my career, but I have played in the EuroLeague for many years and I can say that the EuroCup is very competitive, with very strong players and teams. It has nothing to envy the EuroLeague. It is a very high-level competition. I am playing against teams and players I am not used to seeing, which is something new. In the EuroLeague, after so many years, you usually saw the same faces. Now, I am facing players who may not have big names, but it is never easy. There are many good players in the EuroCup. 

My family and I are living in Mestre, barely 10 kilometers outside of Venice, but we go there very often. It is a very comfortable place to live. All the club staff and people in general welcomed me and my family really well. We are very happy with the life we have here. Coming from Spain, it is easy to adjust to Italy. We are living in a small city that in many ways is similar to Vitoria. It is a perfect city for the lifestyle and rhythm we have as a family with two kids. I love being a father, it is the biggest joy in the world. When you feel down, getting home and seeing them smile at you is priceless. It is the best gift I ever had. 

"We are aware of our potential. Once we get a chance, we have to take it."

The World Cup is about to start but since Italy did not qualify, we are not talking much about it. I am rooting for Uruguay, obviously, but I have some Italian roots, and it is a shame that one of the biggest football powerhouses like Italy is not there. There is nothing we can do about it, so I am rooting for Uruguay and also for Spain, since my wife and kids are Spanish. There will be some sports rivalry at home! Uruguay has a nice mix of youth and experience, but with a lot of talent. We can surprise a lot of people. We will see how it turns out but we always want our "charruas" to fight. We will see! 

Back to the EuroCup, we know it is really tough to be eliminated, but our first goal is to make it to the playoffs and then finish in the highest place possible. We want to win this competition, which is why the club put together this group of players. It will not be easy with so many talented teams around, all looking to win it, too. We are aware of our potential. Once we get a chance, we have to take it. We are focused on ranking high in the regular season, and then we’ll see how far we can reach.

Jayson Granger, Reyer: 'We want to win this competition'

A quarterfinalist from a year ago tries to re-start its season at home when winless Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (0-4) hosts newcomer Prometey Slobozhanske (2-2) in 7DAYS EuroCup Group A on Tuesday.

During the two-week break, Cedevita will no doubt have concentrated on better ball movement leading to better shots. The Slovenians rank last in the EuroCup in assists (13.3 per game), next-to-last in two-point shooting accuracy (45.0%) and 16th in three-pointers (30.3%). The hosts are led by Yogi Ferrell (19.7 ppg.) and Josh Adams (15.0), but they and their teammates also need to pick up a defense that has allowed opponents the second-highest points per game (87.8) in the competition.

Game News

Prometey is scoring much better (79.9 ppg. to Cedevita's 73.8) behind the trio of Gian Clavell (16.0 ppg.), Caleb Agada (13.5) and D.J. Stephens (11.2). Prometey plays better defense by a couple of points, too, powered by its fifth-most 6.8 steals on average leading to a EuroCup-best 18.8 turnovers forced on opponents. The visitors' ability to continue harassing ballhandlers and passers, while not allowing Ferrell or Adams to get hot, could be the key to their hopes of notching the club’s first road win ever in the EuroCup and putting more distance between them and another playoff hopeful.

Cedevita aims for a re-start vs. visiting Prometey

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Prometey Slobozhanske (2022-11-22T19:00:00.000Z)

In a never-seen-before showdown in European competitions, Umana Reyer Venice (2-2) takes on 7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys (2-2) at Palasport Taliercio on Tuesday. Reyer bounced back from a 0-2 start with consecutive victories. Lietkabelis looks for its first road victory of the season after double-digit losses against Prometey Slobozhanske and Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse. Lietkabelis is the second Lithuanian team to play in Venice after Rytas Vilnius in 2019.

Once Reyer improved its three-point defense, it found a way to win games. It has held opponents to just 27.1% shooting on three-pointers in wins and 36.3% in losses. On offense, Marco Spissu (11.5 ppg., 4.5 apg.) and Jayson Granger (8.8 ppg., 4.5 apg.) will try to control the game tempo and find its big men down low, as Reyer may have an advantage in the paint through Mitchell Watt (12.2 ppg., 6.2 rpg.) and Derek Willis (12.5 ppg.), two physical big men with great energy. 

Lietkabelis has struggled on the road, averaging 84.5 points at home and just 72.0 away from Panevezys. Speeding up the game tempo to find its best shooters, Vytenis Lipkevicius (50.0% 3FG) and Zeljko Sakic (48.9% 3FG) could be a key for Lietkabelis to be more competitive on the road. Lietkabelis ranks 18th in assists (15.3 apg.), so Jamel Morris (16.8 ppg., 1.0 apg.) and Stefan Peno (3.8 ppg., 2.5 apg.) must be ready to help improve those numbers against two very experienced playmakers in Spissu and Granger.

Reyer, Lietkabelis finally meet 

Umana Reyer Venice v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2022-11-22T19:00:00.000Z)

After a three-week gap in the 7DAYS EuroCup calendar, Veolia Towers Hamburg (2-2) hosts the London Lions (1-3) at [edel-optics.de](http://edel-optics.de) Arena on Tuesday night. In the final round before the break, both Hamburg and London suffered defeats to Promitheas Patras and Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, respectively.

Hamburg has so far struggled to find consistency in this season's EuroCup, as every victory it has had – in Round 1 on the road at Buducnost and in Round 3 at home to Slask Wroclaw – has been followed by a loss. Some areas that have aided Hamburg are its three-point shooting and its ability to steal the ball; it is currently making the fifth-highest number of threes per game with 9.5, while it is also averaging 9.3 steals per night, which is second-best in the competition. Yoeli Childs impressed once again in Hamburg's 81-77 loss to Promitheas in Round 4, finishing with a 17-point, 16-rebound double-double, and he has the potential to cause problems for London in Round 5. The starting backcourt of Kendale McCullum and James Woodard seems to have found its groove, too, so London's guards will need to be at their best to keep them quiet.

London, on the other hand, is coming off back-to-back defeats after winning its first match of the season at home against Dolomiti Energia Trento in Round 2. The good news for London and Coach Ryan Schmidt is that Sam Dekker was able to return to action in Round 4 against Buducnost, but the Lions were significantly outplayed at the illustrious OVO Arena Wembley, the team's temporary home for the night. The biggest problem that London has had this season is on the offensive end of the floor, as it is averaging a competition-low 71.5 points per game. To try and help its cause on offense, London has added guard Miye Oni from Utah of the NBA, but it will be important in this Round 5 road game that several players step up to come away with the victory.

Hamburg, London return to action with a point to prove

Veolia Towers Hamburg v London Lions (2022-11-22T18:30:00.000Z)

In a high-profile showdown in Group A, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse takes on Frutti Extra Bursaspor at Ekinox in the opening game of Round 5 on Tuesday. Bourg (4-0) is the only remaining undefeated team in the competition but faces perhaps its biggest challenge to date in this season's 7DAYS EuroCup, as Bursaspor (2-2) reached the competition's championship game last season. Expect a tactical battle between head coaches Frederic Fauthoux of Bourg and Bursaspor's Dusan Alimpijevic.

Bourg has based its success on strong defense and a balanced attack in which many players can take a leading role. Bourg allows just 75.0 points on average, holding opponents to just 49.0% shooting on two-pointers and 34.0% from downtown. Seven different players average at least 6 points per game, led by Jordan Floyd (17.0 ppg.), Isiaha Mike (13.2 ppg.) and James Palmer (11.5 ppg.). Bourg ranks second in three-point shooting (40.2% 3FG), so keeping its good shot selection could be critical in this game. 

Bursaspor relies on its EuroCup experience to play a big role in this game. Onuralp Bitim, Derek Needham and Dave Dudzinski were some of the stars who took Bursaspor to within one win of lifting the trophy last season. Stopping Mike and Taylor could be really important in this game. Needham is ready to go against Taylor, in what should be a key matchup. Dudzinski and Zach Auguste are key contributors for winning the battle of the boards against Mike and Pierre Pelos. 

Bursaspor tests Bourg's invincibility

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Frutti Extra Bursaspor (2022-11-22T18:00:00.000Z)

In an interesting showdown in Group B, Slask Wroclaw (0-4) takes on Promitheas Patras (3-1) at Hala Orbita on Wednesday. Slask seeks its first victory after back-to-back 4-point losses against Veolia Towers Hamburg and Turk Telekom Ankara. Promitheas looks for its second road win of the season. It is also the first Greek team to face Slask in Wroclaw since Panionios Athens recorded a 92-94 victory in a EuroCup Regular Season game on December 18, 2007. 

Slask has struggled in front of its fans so far this season, averaging just 64.5 points in home games. That's 10 points lower than any other team in home games. Slask is shooting the ball really poorly at home (45.4% 2FG, 28.6% 3FG) and is last overall in three-point shooting percentage, having made 18 of 64 shots from downtown (28.1% 3FG). Lukasz Kolenda (14.2 ppg.), Jeremiah Martin (16.5 ppg.) and Jakub Niziol (11.5 ppg.) are its main perimeter players and should keep leading the team as Slask tries to find answers on offense. 

Speaking of putting the ball in the basket, Promitheas is tied for the competition lead in scoring (87.5 ppg.) until now, finding good options inside and outside the paint. Combo guard Joe Young (24.3 ppg.) is the EuroCup's top scorer and Promitheas should keep finding him on offense. Three-point threat Arnoldas Kubolka (12.0 ppg., 7.8 rpg.) and rock-solid big man George Conditt (10.2 ppg., 60.7% 2FG) give coach Makis Giatras more options on offense. If Promitheas boxes out well and plays in transition, it should have a better chance to win.

Slask looks for first win against Promitheas 

Slask Wroclaw v Promitheas Patras (2022-11-23T19:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm (2-2) will welcome Joventut Badalona (3-1) on Wednesday in a Group A showdown that will be the second duel ever in the 7DAYS EuroCup between these two teams. In their first and only previous encounter, last season, Ulm upset Joventut in the single-game elimination eighthfinals round 73-79. Ulm comes from a huge road win in Round 4 at Frutti Extra Bursaspor, 86-90, in which Yago Dos Santos led the way with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Joventut comes off a home win over Prometey Slobozhanske, 82-77, in which Henry Ellenson scored 13 points.

Ulm and Joventut rank seventh (84.3 ppg.) and eighth (83.5 ppg.), respectively, in points per game, so one could expect a close encounter. The visitors are fourth best in the league in average PIR (99.8) and are also the best team in shooting from beyond the arc (46.5%). Ulm has the upper hand in offensive rebounds going into the game.

The hosts will have to push hard in defense, as Joventut is the second-worst team in the league in turnovers (16.8) but also the second-best in assists (20.3), so the work put in by the hosts behind will have a huge impact in the final outcome. Joventut shoots better from all ranges, but will have to watch for Ulm's athleticism under the boards (2.8 bpg.). It will all come down to small details, as both teams come from respective wins and will want to stay that way. Ulm has morale through the roof after defeating the last season's runners-up on the road, but Joventut is looking to establish dominion early and avenge last season's sour upset.

Ulm, Joventut meet in rematch of last season's eighthfinals

ratiopharm Ulm v Joventut Badalona (2022-11-23T18:30:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (3-1) will try to extend its winning run to four games as it welcomes Paris Basketball (2-2) when both teams return to action in Group B on Wednesday. After dropping its season opener at home, Buducnost put together three straight wins before the break. Meanwhile, Paris has a streak of its own, as it is still undefeated on the road in its first season in the competition, with both of its wins so far coming away from home.

Buducnost comes into the tilt as the best rebounding team in the competition; it leads the EuroCup in both offensive (14.3 orpg.) and defensive (30.0 drpg.) rebounding. Buducnost has all players contributing on the offensive glass and four players averaging more than 1.0 per game – Alpha Kaba (3.8 opg.), Aaron White (1.8 opg.), Kenan Kamenjas (1.5 opg.) and Igor Drobnjak (1.2 opg.). Paris does not attack the offensive boards that well (9.3 orpg.) and needs to make sure that offensive rebounding does not turn into a difference-maker for Buducnost in this clash.

Both teams have excelled offensively in a similar way so far this season, with Paris entering this round ranked third in scoring (87.0 ppg.) and Buducnost fourth (86.5 ppg.). Defensively, however, Paris has allowed 86 or more points in each of the last three games, while Buducnost has held opponents to 74.5 points, the second-fewest this season, albeit that number does go up to 83.5 points in the last two games.

Buducnost, Paris aiming to keep streaks alive in Podgorica

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Paris Basketball (2022-11-23T18:00:00.000Z)