Bahcesehir College Istanbul closed 2025 on a high note, delivering a professional, wire-to-wire performance to snap recent struggles with a comfortable home win over winless Veolia Towers Hamburg.

Bahcesehir satisfied with serious showing against limited Hamburg 

[Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) closed 2025 on a high note, delivering a professional, wire-to-wire performance to snap recent struggles with a comfortable home win over winless [Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/veolia-towers-hamburg/ham/).

Bahcesehir shared the ball crisply and dominated the paint in a 105–68 victory, piling up 28 assists against just seven turnovers while shooting a blistering 80.0% on two-point attempts. The Turkish side placed five players in double figures, led by [Malachi Flynn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/malachi-flynn/013908/) and [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) with 17 points apiece. [Hunter Hale](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/hunter-hale/013909/) added 16, while all 11 players who saw the floor scored at least five points except [Trevion Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/trevion-williams/012604/), who finished with 2 points but contributed 10 rebounds and 2 assists.

“This was a very good game from our side. We were very serious from the first moment,” head coach Marko Barac said. “After they punished us with a couple of threes, we tightened up the defense.”

Bahcesehir College Istanbul-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Bahcesehir used an 18–4 run in the first quarter to open an eight-point lead, and the lead swelled to 21 points midway through the second quarter. The outcome was effectively settled by halftime, with the hosts up 63–38 and never looking back.

“The ball was moving the way I want,” Barac said. “We had many open looks. We didn’t score a lot of them from three (24.2%), but this is what I need. I trust that my team will keep working and those shots will fall.”

The win lifted Bahcesehir to 8–4 overall and 4–2 at home after losing three of its previous four games. The 63-point first half narrowly missed the club’s highest-scoring half in competition history, while the 105-point total was one shy of the season high set in a road win at Hamburg earlier this year. Bahcesehir’s single-game scoring record remains 110.

“We just needed to come out and play like we know we can,” Flynn said. “It was a good one for us, and we want to keep this going.” Flynn also posted 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals for a performance index rating of 24.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">💎 İşte galibiyetin 𝐌𝐕𝐏’si! <br><br>🔑 Veolia Towers Hamburg galibiyetimizde anahtar rol oynayan oyuncumuz; 17 sayı, 4 ribaund, 7 asist, 24 verimlilik puanı performansıyla Malachi Flynn oluyor!<br><br>❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CatchYourDreams?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CatchYourDreams</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/urMteluJMX">pic.twitter.com/urMteluJMX</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/2006061718670025006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hamburg dropped to 0–12, still searching for its first EuroCup victory. [Devon Daniels](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devon-daniels-iv/014172/) led the visitors with 22 points, while recent addition [Ross Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ross-williams/014194/) chipped in 16.

“We started the game well and found a good rhythm in the first quarter, but we never established our defense,” Hamburg coach Benka Barloschky said. “They shot 80 percent from two-point range. Defensively, we were just not up for the task.”

Barloschky noted that injuries and illness forced him into a limited rotation.

“We’re going through a very rough patch,” he said. “We have players sick, players missing, and players competing through illness. I have to protect my team a little, but I still wasn’t satisfied with the defensive performance.”

Game News

The Turkish side had been struggling of late but finished 2025 with a victory

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2025-12-30T16:00:00.000Z)

Two seasons after winning MVP honors in Finland, Both Gach is thriving in his EuroCup debut with JL Bourg-en-Bresse. Discover his journey from Kosovo to France.

From Finland to France: Both Gach’s EuroCup breakthrough

BC Nokia wasn’t expected to contend for the Finnish League title in 2023–24. But the team defied predictions, captured its first championship, and [Both Gach](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/both-gach/013900/) emerged as the leader—winning season MVP and Finals MVP honors. That magical run still fuels his confidence today.

Now, Gach is making his EuroCup debut with [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/), helping the French club climb to the top of Group B. The 26-year-old forward is averaging 12.5 points through 11 games and embracing the rhythm of continental competition.

“I’ve enjoyed playing multiple games a week. It’s better than playing once a week,” Gach said. “The EuroCup has been fun. Our team has been doing really well. I enjoy every minute of it.”

Best of Both Gach (Rounds 1-11, 2025-26)

### Starting small: Kosovo to Finland

Gach’s European journey began in Kosovo in November 2022 after his NBA hopes out of Utah didn’t materialize. He joined Sigal Prishtina, averaging 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.

“Kosovo was a unique experience because it was my first time in Europe,” he said. “I honestly didn’t care where in Europe I was going to go. I told my agent you could send me to probably the worst country in Europe and I’d go play basketball. Because at the end of the day, I just knew at some point I’d get to the level I wanted to get to because I believe in my game, my confidence and my talent.”

That belief paid off when he moved to Finland and joined Nokia — a team projected to finish last. Instead, they finished second in the regular season and stormed through the playoffs, winning the title in seven games against defending champion Helsinki Seagulls.

“It was very magical,” Gach said. “In the preseason, they had us finishing last. But we had a really good coaching staff and teammates. Everyone was bought in.”

“I honestly didn’t care where in Europe I was going to go. I told my agent you could send me to probably the worst country in Europe and I’d go play basketball. Because at the end of the day, I just knew at some point I’d get to the level I wanted to get to because I believe in my game, my confidence and my talent.”

Gach averaged 21.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists during the season and 20.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in the Finals. He delivered when it mattered most: 28 points and 14 rebounds in Game 6 and 29 points and 13 rebounds in Game 7.

“I spent a lot of time putting in extra work in the gym,” he said. “Whenever you’re doing that, plus getting confidence from teammates and coaches, the sky’s the limit.”

### Lessons from Turkiye

After Finland, Gach stepped up to Darussafaka Istanbul in Turkiye. Despite averaging 11.1 points, the season ended in disappointment as the club was relegated.

“The biggest lesson was just never get too comfortable,” he said. “Circumstances were changing all the time. You’ve just got to keep a positive mindset and not let any of that stuff affect your game.”

<center>
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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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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ2XsC7DZM1/?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 Both Gach (@lankyboy11)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Thriving in Bourg

Gach has found stability — and success — at Bourg. He’s scored 18+ points in four EuroCup games, including 22 points and a PIR of 30 against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in [Round 9](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gach-greatness-boosts-bourg-over-buducnost/).

And it all traces back to Finland, where confidence and opportunity converged.

“I wanted to get to that next level really, really bad,” Gach said. “That season showed me what’s possible when you put in the work.”

More from JL Bourg

Two years after a historic title with Nokia, Gach is powering JL Bourg’s EuroCup charge

This is a tricky round in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. There are plenty of great choices and a lot of players doing really well lately, so it's an exciting time to write this, right at the end of 2025. Here are this week's recommendations, brought to you by me, Javi Gancedo, ranked 688th overall.

Fantasy tips, Round 12: Smart picks for a round bridging 2025 and 2026

This is a tricky round in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. One of the games was played in advance, so all players from [NINERS Chemnitz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/niners-chemnitz/nin/) and [Besiktas GAIN Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/besiktas-gain-istanbul/roster/bes/) are getting average scores, including two of the competition's best centers, [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-zizic/004554/) and [Kevin Yebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kevin-yebo/013368/). There are plenty of great choices and a lot of players doing really well lately, so it's an exciting time to write this, right at the end of 2025. Here are this week's recommendations, brought to you by me, Javi Gancedo, ranked 688th overall.

### Mark Smith, ratiopharm ulm (12.3 credits)

All of a sudden, [Mark Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mark-smith/013969/) is a great choice in the game. Over the last three games, Smith has averaged 19.3 points on 14-of-23 two-point shooting and 6-of-11 on three-pointers, plus 4.7 rebounds for a PIR of 21.0. He roared for 29 points and 9 boards for a PIR of 39 in a victory in the German League over the weekend. Ulm plays at home against high-paced Lietkabelis on Friday, so everything seems to be clicking for him right now.

### Agustin Ubal, BAXI Manresa (9.3 credits)

[Agustin Ubal](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/agustin-ubal/010062/) was already having a strong EuroCup debut season and he has taken things up a notch lately. He comes off a career-best performance with 21 points - with just 1 missed shot, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for a PIR of 31. Ubal also amassed a PIR of 18 in 17 minutes in Spanish League action this weekend.

Stefan Djordjevic, Ky Bowman, Agustin Ubal, Mark Smith and Aleksej Nikolic are featured in this week's article. 

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Round 12

### Aleksej Nikolic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (12.6 credits)

Right at the prime of his career, [Aleksej Nikolic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/aleksej-nikolic/003703/) has become Cedevita's floor general and leader. It is a bold statement, but the numbers back it up as Nikolic is averaging 16.1 points on 92.1% free-throw shooting this season, including scoring in double digits in all 11 games. His last performance? 27 points and a PIR of 34 PIR against Jerusalem!

### Stefan Djordjevic, Slask Wroclaw (11.9 credits)

He started the season quietly but [Stefan Djordjevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/stefan-dordevic/006977/) has been a beast over the last five games, averaging 15.2 points and 8.0 rebounds and a PIR of 19.4. Djordjevic has had double-doubles in Slask's last two games: 18 points and 12 rebounds against Neptunas, 12 points and 12 rebounds against Manresa. What's not to like?

### Ky Bowman, Umana Reyer Venice (11.0 credits)

Reyer comes off a huge come-from-behind win over Bahcesehir in which [Ky Bowman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ky-bowman/013928/) did a little bit of everything: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block for a PIR of 24. He had 21 points and a PIR of 21 in Reyer's previous game against Aris. When a player is in shape, you have to go for him!s

Javier Gancedo has some ideas to help your EuroCup Fantasy Challenge teams this week

ratiopharm ulm v Lietkabelis Panevezys (2026-01-02T18:00:00.000Z)

Neptunas Klaipeda v Umana Reyer Venice (2026-01-02T16:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem v BAXI Manresa (2025-12-30T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris Thessaloniki Betsson v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-12-30T18:30:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Slask Wroclaw (2025-12-30T17:00:00.000Z)

This game could be crucial in settling head-to-head advantage, so Buducnost will be aiming for a win of 8 points or more to counter Turk Telekom’s 79-72 victory in Ankara in October. That game featured a decisive contribution from the Turkish team’s backcourt leader Kyle Allman (16 points on 9-of-12 free throw shooting), so Buducnost will ask livewire Yogi Ferrell – who has multiple steals in three of the last six games – to minimize his influence. Buducnost ranks second in the competition in three-point accuracy (38.7%), so hopes the likes of Axel Bouteille (11.4 points per game on 48.1% for threes) can spark a key win.

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica

**Player Records against Opponent**

Yogi Ferrell posted his career high in Defensive rebounds with 6 for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana against Turk Telekom Ankara on april 19, 2022.

Oleksandr Kovliar posted his career high in 3-pointers made with 3 for 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys against Turk Telekom Ankara on december 4, 2024.

Skylar Mays posted his career high in 3-pointers made with 3 for Buducnost VOLI Podgorica against Turk Telekom Ankara on october 14, 2025.

Skylar Mays posted his career high in Free throws made with 6 for Buducnost VOLI Podgorica against Turk Telekom Ankara on october 14, 2025.

James Thompson posted his career high in Total rebounds with 5 for Buducnost VOLI Podgorica against Turk Telekom Ankara on october 14, 2025.

James Thompson posted his career high in Offensive rebounds with 5 for Buducnost VOLI Podgorica against Turk Telekom Ankara on october 14, 2025.

Yogi Ferrell posted his career high in Total rebounds with 6 for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana against Turk Telekom Ankara on april 19, 2022.

Skylar Mays posted his career high in Steals with 3 for Buducnost VOLI Podgorica against Turk Telekom Ankara on october 14, 2025.

**Season Rankings**

Juwan Morgan is ranked eighth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Steals with 1,5 per game.

Yogi Ferrell is ranked fifth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers % with 50% per game.

Axel Bouteille is ranked seventh among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers % with 48,1% per game.

Fletcher Magee is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers % with 47,4% per game.

**All-time Rankings**

Axel Bouteille is ranked eighth on the all-time EuroCup charts with 1330 points for his career.

Fletcher Magee is ranked second on the all-time EuroCup charts with 91,67% free throws % for his career.

Yogi Ferrell is ranked sixth on the all-time EuroCup charts with 90,18% free throws % for his career.

Axel Bouteille is ranked 10th on the all-time EuroCup charts with 184 3-pointers made for his career.

Axel Bouteille is ranked fifth on the all-time EuroCup charts with 513 field goals made for his career.

Game Videos

### Turk Telekom Ankara

**Player Records against Opponent**

Jaleen Smith posted his career high in Time played with 39:44 for Bahcesehir College Istanbul against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica on january 8, 2025.

Marko Simonovic posted his career high in Assists with 4 for Turk Telekom Ankara against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica on october 14, 2025.

Kyle Alexander posted his career high in 2-pointers made with 8 for Turk Telekom Ankara against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica on march 5, 2025.

**Season Rankings**

Kyle Alexander is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Total Rebounds with 6,6 per game.

Kris Bankston is ranked sixth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Offensive Rebounds with 2,5 per game.

Kyle Alexander is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Defensive Rebounds with 4,3 per game.

Dogus Ozdemiroglu is ranked first among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Steals with 2,7 per game.

Kris Bankston is ranked eighth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Blocks with 0,9 per game.

Kris Bankston is ranked seventh among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 2-pointers % with 75% per game.

Berkan Durmaz is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 2-pointers % with 71,4% per game.

Kris Bankston is ranked third among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Field goals % with 73,8% per game.

Kyle Alexander is ranked eighth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Field goals % with 65,5% per game.

Kris Bankston is ranked fourth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average True Shooting % with 73,3% per game.

Kyle Alexander is ranked eighth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average True Shooting % with 66,4% per game.

Berkan Durmaz is ranked sixth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Assist-Turnover ratio with 350% per game.

**All-time Rankings**

Kyle Alexander is ranked ninth on the all-time EuroCup charts with 77 blocks for his career.

Kyle Alexander is ranked second on the all-time EuroCup charts with 66,79% 2-point % for his career.

Kyle Alexander is ranked fourth on the all-time EuroCup charts with 63,8% field goal % for his career.

Kyle Alexander is ranked seventh on the all-time EuroCup charts with 64,6% true shooting % for his career.

A key battle takes place in Group B between the teams currently tied for third place, Buducnost (7-4) and Turk Telekom (7-4).

Game Facts: Buducnost vs. Turk Telekom

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Turk Telekom Ankara (2025-12-30T18:00:00.000Z)

With one game from Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup already in the books, this week contains a bunch of key matchups in the race for the playoffs. Here’s your guide to all the action.

At a glance: Nine games this week to end Round 12

With one game from Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup already in the books, this week contains a bunch of key matchups in the race for the playoffs. Here’s your guide to all the action.

## Tuesday, December 30

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (17:00 CET)

Anything other than a comfortable home victory would be a major surprise as top two chasing Bahcesehir (7-4) welcomes winless Hamburg (0-11). But the Turkish team has struggled in recent weeks, losing three of its last four games despite the ongoing excellence of Malachi Flynn, who netted 31 points in last week’s loss at Reyer. Bahcesehir committed 18 turnovers in that game so needs to take better care of the ball against a Hamburg team that has its own free-scoring guard in the form of Devon Daniels, who has averaged 16.8 points in his four games for the team. But Hamburg ranks last in the EuroCup in four different defensive categories, so needs to show stiffer resolve to grab an upset win.

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Slask Wroclaw (18:00 CET)

Cluj (6-5) is looking to strengthen its push for the top to in Group A with a visit from a Slask team (4-7) in danger of getting cut adrift. The Polish team is still looking for its first road win of the season and also suffered a big setback with last week’s home loss to Manresa, despite big man Stefan Dordevic grabbing his second successive double-double. Cluj will look to neutralize him through the power of Dusan Miletic, who recorded 12 points and 8 boards to help his team overcome Neptunas last week. The Round 3 meeting between the teams was a thriller, taken 94-93 by Slask partly thanks to grabbing 15 offensive rebounds, so Cluj will be keen to better protect its backboard this time around.

### Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens (18:15 CET)

Group B leader Bourg (9-2) will attempt to strengthen its grip on first place by inflicting more pain on struggling Panionios (1-10). Bourg shrugged off a rare Round 10 loss by fighting back into winning ways last time out with a battling victory at Turk Telekom, when Will McDowell-White showed his ability to control the backcourt by combining 14 points and 7 assists, while the Greek team suffered a tenth consecutive loss with a crushing 25-point home loss to Ulm. This season’s first meeting between the teams was a low-scoring affair, taken 56-66 by Bourg, and forcing the French team into a similarly slow-paced encounter is probably Panionios’s best bet of ending its losing sequence.

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Turk Telekom Ankara (19:00 CET)

A key battle takes place in Group B between the teams currently tied for third place, Buducnost (7-4) and Turk Telekom (7-4). This game could be crucial in settling head-to-head advantage, so Buducnost will be aiming for a win of 8 points or more to counter Turk Telekom’s 79-72 victory in Ankara in October. That game featured a decisive contribution from the Turkish team’s backcourt leader Kyle Allman (16 points on 9-of-12 free throw shooting), so Buducnost will ask livewire Yogi Ferrell – who has multiple steals in three of the last six games – to minimize his influence. Buducnost ranks second in the competition in three-point accuracy (38.7%), so hopes the likes of Axel Bouteille (11.4 points per game on 48.1% for threes) can spark a key win.

### Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem vs. BAXI Manresa (19:00 CET)

Group A leader Hapoel (9-2) will attempt to halt the march of fast-rising Manresa (6-5) in a key matchup. The Spanish team has won three games in a row thanks to excellent offensive production, netting 96, 99 and 99 points in those wins. New signing Eli Brooks played a major part in the most recent of those at Slask last week, pouring in 19 points on his debut, so Manresa will hope he can be the x-factor in ending Hapoel’s eight-game winning run. In addition to the seemingly unstoppable Jared Harper, Hapoel will hope to receive more inspiration from Austin Wiley, who has averaged 10 rebounds over the last five games. His battle with Manresa veteran Pierre Oriola could be crucial.

### Aris Thessaloniki Betsson vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (19:30 CET)

Another vital game in Group A’s playoffs race takes place between joint-fourth Aris (6-5) and joint-second Cedevita (7-4). Aris has won three out of the last four and is a much-improved unit from the team that suffered an 80-59 mauling at Cedevita earlier this season, when four triples from sharpshooting guard Joseph Girard helped set up an easy win. That was before Amine Noua had joined Aris, and his importance was again underlined last week with 14 points and 10 rebounds to help seal a hard-fought win at Hamburg. Cedevita has lost two in a row and will attempt to emerge from that slump through an intense defense which has forced more turnovers than any other team in the competition (15.6 per game).

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. London Lions (20:00 CET)

Two teams who earned dramatic, narrow victories look to build more momentum as Trento (6-5) hosts London (5-6). It’s a key battle in the jostle for playoffs positions, and London is well-placed to take the head-to-head advantage after beating the Italian team 87-71 in October. A key architect of that triumph was playmaker Tarik Phillip with 15 points and 7 assists, so Trento will look to slow him down through its own backcourt dynamo Devante Jones, whose 19 points were instrumental in last week’s overtime thriller over Buducnost. London will also be confident after shocking Besiktas in Round 11 – also in overtime – thanks to last second free throws from fit-again Shavar Reynolds, and this game has all the ingredients to go down to the wire.

## Friday, January 2

### Neptunas Kleipeda vs. Umana Reyer Venice (17:00 CET)

Another key matchup between direct rivals will see Neptunas (5-6) and Reyer (5-6) break their current tie for seventh place. The Italian team is very much in control of head-to-head advantage after winning by 20 when the teams met in October, and boosted its confidence with an impressive victory last over Bahcesehir behind 30 points from all-action forward Jordan Parks. Neptunas needs to improve its defense after allowing 118 points at Cluj last week, but will hope for more offensive inspiration from Rihards Lomasz after he averaged 19.8 points in the last four games. Neptunas is the third-highest scoring team in the competition so is likely to score plenty, but clamping down on Reyer at the other end could be decisive.

### ratiopharm ulm vs. Lietkabelis Panevezys (19:00 CET)

Ulm (5-6) will attempt to climb into the Group B playoffs places by overcoming a Lietkabelis team (2-9) which is falling fast out of contention. The German team was mightily relieved to end a four-game losing slump by thrashing Panionios last week, and will hope that backcourt star Mark Smith can stay hot after scoring 20, 17 and 21 points in the last three games. Lietkabelis has lost three in a row despite the consistency of Kristian Kullamae, who has drained seven triples in the last two games. Ulm has the added advantage of knowing that it has already beaten the visitor once this season, winning a 94-98 thriller in Round 3 behind 26 points from Christopher Ledlum, who is fit again after six weeks out.

## Tuesday, December 23

### NINERS Chemnitz 97-95 Besiktas GAIN Istanbul

Chemnitz secured an impressive 97-95 home win over Besiktas at MESSE Chemnitz, improving to 6-6 in Group B while Besiktas dropped to 8-4. Chemnitz controlled most of the game, but Besiktas mounted a strong response in the fourth quarter, erasing a 14-point deficit to tie the score at 95-95. In the final moments, Amadou Sow proved decisive, scoring with 32 seconds remaining to give Chemnitz the lead and seal the win.

Chemnitz was led by Sow, who posted a career-high 27 points and 4 rebounds. Nike Sibande added 13 points, Kevin Yebo contributed 11 points and 4 assists, while Ty Brewer chipped in 10 points. For Besiktas, Ante Zizic posted 23 points and 10 rebounds, Jonah Mathews added 20 points, and Vitto Brown finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds.

The first game from this round, Chemnitz vs. Besiktas, took place last week

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens (2025-12-30T17:15:00.000Z)

NINERS Chemnitz v Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (2025-12-23T18:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v London Lions (2025-12-30T19:00:00.000Z)

Ilias Zouros submitted his resignation as Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens head coach on Saturday following the team’s 80-66 loss to Iraklis in the Greek League

Ilias Zouros steps down as Panionios head coach

Ilias Zouros submitted his resignation as Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens head coach on Saturday following the team’s 80-66 loss to Iraklis in the Greek League. Nikos Karagiannis, the head coach of the Panionios basketball academy, will serve as the interim head coach.

Panionios failed to take flight under Zouros, losing all seven of their EuroCup games to fall to the bottom of Group B at 1-10. The team is second-bottom in the Greek League at 2-9. Panionios visits group leader Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse in their next game on Tuesday.

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Karagiannis will become the fourth coach to lead Panionios this season. Luka Pavicevic served as head coach for the team's first three EuroCup games and Chris Chougkaz was the interim head coach in Round 4 before Ilias Zouros took the reins.

Zouros, 59, started his coaching journey in 1989 with Panionios’ junior team and later served as an assistant with the senior squad. He returned to Nea Smyrni in October, but that partnership lasted just two months.

More from Panionios

The resignation came after a loss in the Greek League on Saturday

Harrison Cleary’s career changed after a shoulder injury in Spain. Four years later, he’s proving his resilience as a key contributor for Neptunas Klaipeda in the BKT EuroCup.

Harrison Cleary turns career-defining injury into EuroCup opportunity

A single dive for a loose ball changed everything for [Harrison Cleary](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/harrison-cleary/012030/). On November 20, 2021, while playing in Spain’s third division, Cleary collided with an opponent and suffered a separated shoulder. Lying on the court, he wondered if his professional basketball dream had just ended.

That injury forced Cleary to miss the rest of the season, but it also became the turning point in his career. The time away gave him clarity and a renewed determination to prove he belonged at the highest level he could reach.

Four years later, Cleary is doing exactly that as a key contributor for [Neptunas Klaipeda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/neptunas-klaipeda/kla/) in the BKT EuroCup. The 1.85-meter guard is averaging 5.6 points on 44.4% three-point shooting through his first 11 games, showing the resilience that brought him from Spain’s lower leagues to Europe’s second-tier competition.

Curiously enough, his top performance of [13 points and 3 assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/arnas-velickas-defensive-stand-helped-lift-neptunas-over-hamburg/) came against [Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/veolia-towers-hamburg/ham/) - the club where the Oak Creek, Wisconsin, native came back to Europe and provided him his first chance to play in the EuroCup.

“It's extremely high level. It's a privilege to be able to play at that level. Not many guys will get that opportunity. I did have my stint in Hamburg, but the situation was definitely different. I wasn't a fully rostered player of Hamburg. It was a bit of an odd situation to where now I'm obviously a full member of Neptunus and have a larger role here than I did in Hamburg. So it's been great to play in this competition and play against some of the highest-level guards in Europe and seeing where you match up and putting your skills to the test,” said Cleary.

Harrison Cleary getting buckets

Rewind to 2021. The 1.85-meter guard was playing for Carbajosa in Spain and having a solid start to the season. He averaged 15.1 points on 46% three-point shooting to go with 3.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists in seven games.

That came after a real disappointment in his first season after finishing a wildly successful college career at the D2 University of Minnesota Crookston.

Cleary was unfortunate to graduate at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and declined an initial offer to play in the Spanish third division. After a long wait, he signed a two-month contract with Spanish second division side TAU Castello in October to fill in for an injured point guard. The player was not out nearly as long as expected and Cleary received minimal playing time when he returned.

Cleary left after his two months were up and in January 2021 landed at Almansa, which was also in Spain’s second division. But the club was asking him to be a true point guard and not be a scoring option. This for a player who averaged more than 22 points and between 2.3 and 4.2 assists over his four years in college.

Add to that the fact that Cleary really hadn’t played a major role in a game in nearly a year and he decided to leave after just four games and return home in February 2021.

"I remember the first thought in my mind when I was on the court was: ‘Oh wow, I'm gonna have to find a job and figure out what's next.'" 

Cleary went down a level to the third division for the 2021-22 season with Carbajosa and was trying to get his footing again before the injury against Ponferrada in November 2021.

“I remember exactly what happened. It was a loose ball under the basket. I dove for it. My right arm was outstretched. He came from the right side. My shoulder just completely came out, and I remember the first thought in my mind when I was on the court was: ‘Oh wow, I'm gonna have to find a job and figure out what's next. I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen because I knew what my resume looked like from my rookie year. And I didn't know at that point the extent of the injury. But it felt bad,” he remembered.

“But once that initial shock goes away and I figured out what was wrong and we were going to go the surgery route and all that stuff, it was just like, okay, let's do it. And I'm going to figure it out one way or another and fight uphill to get back to where I think I belong.”

Cleary had shoulder surgery in late December and was back working with his basketball trainers around April.

Cleary called that injury the defining moment in his career thus far.

“It showed me how much I was willing to do for this and get where I thought I belonged. It directed me in a certain way to get to where I'm at now. If I play that whole season (in the third division), I would have finished it out as well as I had started it. And who knows what would have happened with my career. I probably would have stayed in Spain. I had a Spanish agent at the time, and that was kind of the route we were headed. It was just kind of this Spanish pipeline a little bit. Just a lot of things transpired at that time, mentally and career-wise, where it kind of redirected me in a different way.”

Cleary scored 19 points for Hamburg in the 2023 EuroCup Eighthfinals

Cleary landed in Germany in 2023 at the third division club Rist Wedel, which has a cooperation with pro side Veolia Towers Hamburg and the coach of whom actually was interested in him from his time at college in Crookston.

Cleary ended up splitting time with Wedel and Hamburg and played four games in the German League as well as eight games in the EuroCup, including pouring in [19 points against Prometey Slobozhanske](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/prometey-kos-hamburg-87-79-to-advance/) in the EuroCup Eighthfinals.

That experience and leading the German third division in scoring with 23.9 points per game helped him jump to Lahti Basketball in Finland for 2023-24, where he led the league in scoring at 22.9 points per game while also averaging 6.5 assists. Then last season, he stayed in northern Europe and played with Latvian side VEF Riga in the Basketball Champions League and the Latvian/Estonian League.

Those two seasons resulted in Cleary getting signed by Neptunas to play in the EuroCup. And he has an entirely different level of value and respect for the competition this time around. Much of that stems from the shoulder injury he suffered four years ago. A day he remembers vividly.

More Neptunas news

Cleary’s journey from Spain’s third division to the EuroCup is a testament to resilience and belief

Aris Thessaloniki Betsson big man Jake Forrester played for crosstown rival PAOK Thessaloniki last season and knows the magnitude of that rivalry 

Jake Forrester values both sides of the Thessaloniki derby 

Ask European basketball fans about city derbies and many will mention the Belgrade battle between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda, the clashes between Greek giants Panathinaikos Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus, or even one of the showdowns in Istanbul. Ask [Jake Forrester](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jakob-dwight-forester/014038/) and there is no way he will not bring up the Thessaloniki derby.

That shouldn’t be surprising because the [Aris Thessaloniki Betsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-thessaloniki-betsson/ari/) big man played for crosstown rival PAOK Thessaloniki last season and knows the magnitude quite well.

“It's wild. People might sleep on it, but I think it's one of the biggest in Europe for sure, that rivalry between these two. It's a big city, but just how close the teams are and how there's so many people that support different teams,” said Forrester of Thessaloniki, home to about 1 million people.

“One side of the city supports one team and the other side supports the other. The gyms are close and everything, and just to have the amount of people that can pick what side they want to be on.”

Dwight Forrester highlights: Rounds 1-11 (2025-26)

Panathinaikos and Olympiacos have collected 32 of the last 33 Greek League titles with AEK Athens breaking up the run in 2001-02. Aris’s 10th and final crown came in 1991 (ending a seven-year reign over the country) while PAOK’s second championship came in 1992.

That makes the meaning of the Thessaloniki derby even bigger.

“It's like a championship in itself. It's the bragging rights to beat one of the other teams,” he said.

Forrester has lost two of the three city derbies he has played in thus far. Both teams won their home games last season and PAOK beat Aris on the road 78-73 on November 1.

“They got us at our home gym, actually. But it was our second game with the new head coach (Igor Milicic). Still, you got to give them some respect when it comes to that. They got a win in our home court, which is really hard to do, especially in the rivalry.”

Forrester got a real taste of being on the hated side of the rivalry as he switched sides in the off-season.

“It was a bold move. Going from the FIBA Europe Cup to EuroCup and then coming to this team. I got a lot of backlash and everything from fans,” he admitted.

Forrester said he avoided his social media for a while after the announcement of going from PAOK to Aris. Still, he understands the rivalry and how the fans feel about the idea of him switching allegiances.

“But at the end of the day, it's a business and things got to be done,” he said.

I think the rivalry between Aris and PAOK is one of the biggest in Europe.

Forrester and the PAOK fans experienced a pretty big high last season. They reached the Finals of the FIBA Europe Cup, where they ultimately lost 154-149 in a two-game total-points to Bilbao Basket. PAOK fans had been waiting a long time for top play internationally. The Greek side reached the ULEB Cup Last 8 in 2004-05 after having previously finished runner-up in the European Cup in 1991-92 and 1995-96 and winning the Korac Cup in 1993-94.

The FIBA Europe Cup playoffs were pretty crazy and the atmosphere at the PAOK Sports Arena was amazing, Forrester remembered.

"The environment was crazy for the championship game. It's wild. Even if it was FIBA EuroCup, they treated it like it was the EuroLeague final there because that's how much they wanted to win. The people and the passion behind it were crazy,” he said.

Going through the experience of winning the final game of the FIBA Europe Cup but not claiming the trophy still hurts for the 26-year-old.

“That was an awful feeling. You never want to feel that feeling again,” he said. "So the next time I'm in a championship, I for sure have to get the win because that was an awful feeling. I still think about to this day. Just the feeling that you don't want to feel.”

Aris is poised to go deep in the EuroCup Playoffs and even challenge for the semifinals in the Greek League. But there is always the return leg of the Thessaloniki derby on March 14 at PAOK.

More Aris Thessaloniki news

The Aris big man played with crosstown rival PAOK last season

Being Saliou’s younger brother is not a problem for Cheickh Niang

It will take a while before [Cheickh Niang](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/cheickh-niang/013756/) is not asked about his older brother. But the [Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/trn/) guard does not mind talking about Virtus Bologna’s [Saliou Niang](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saliou-niang/012687/). Cheickh is proud of what Saliou has done.

Cheickh Niang is well on his way to making his own name as the 17-year-old has become an integral part of Trento’s rotation in his first full season with the pro team. Cheickh is averaging 6.8 points and 1.6 rebounds through his first 10 games in the BKT EuroCup.

The 1.95-meter guard started the EuroCup season like a house on fire with 9.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in the first five games, including 15 points against London Lions and 14 points versus Buducnost VOLI Podgorica. Niang was limited to a combined 5 points and 3 rebounds in the following three games from rounds 6 to 8.

“At the beginning, opponents didn’t know me, so it was easier. Now teams are scouting me more, which makes things more difficult. But I feel I’m growing and improving in the way I’m playing,” he said.

Niang sounded like a seasoned vet when talking about those other three games.

“I was trying to do other useful things on the court - not just scoring. Now that teams know me, I’m focusing on helping in other ways: passing the ball, getting rebounds, defending, doing all the little things instead of relying only on scoring.”

3 minutes of magic from Cheickh Niang

Niang came out of the national team break similar to the beginning of the season with 6 points in Round 10 against Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse and 11 points with 3 of 3 on three-pointers in Round 11 versus Buducnost.

Cheickh says he has received quite a bit of help and advice from his brother Saliou, who made his EuroCup debut in 2023-24 with Trento and then played a much bigger role in the team last season.

“He gives me a lot of suggestions,” Cheickh said of his brother, who is four years older. “He tells me to stay focused on defense and to get more rebounds — because he knows I can do more. And to give 100 percent on both ends of the court, staying fully focused.”

Saliou was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 58th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft and this season, joined Virtus Bologna. In his EuroLeague debut season with Virtus, Saliou is averaging 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

Cheickh said he still has a great relationship with his brother.

“The relationship is the same; nothing has changed. We still talk, but of course a bit less than before because we no longer live together,” he said “When we talk, it’s more about life in general. He still gives me suggestions about basketball, but most conversations are about life.”

Cheickh said it was tough seeing his brother leave for Bologna, but they still play Fortnite online together.

"It was a dream come true. I was really excited to play against my brother."

One of the biggest dates for the Niang family was November 1, 2025 when Trento hosted Virtus. The brothers’ parents - who arrived in Italy from Senegal about 20 years ago looking for work - were in the stands watching.

Saliou collected 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 18 minutes while Cheickh tallied 2 points and 3 rebounds in 17 minutes.

"It was a dream come true. I was really excited to play against him,” Cheickh said. “Before the game, I felt anxious and nervous. But once the game started, I just wanted to go at my brother and compete.”

The two were on the court at the same time for about 5 minutes and they got to defend one another multiple times.

“It was for sure emotional,” Cheickh said.

There really wasn’t much trash-talking though, according to Cheickh.

“I said: ‘Now we see what we can do.’ And I was asking if he was going to play short roll or post-up or something like that. And he didn’t answer.”

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This season has been like a dream altogether for Cheickh, who only played with Trento’s youth teams last season. He had a spectacular Italian League debut on October 5, hitting 2 three-pointers and scoring 15 points to go with 6 rebounds and 1 steal against Cantu.

“I didn’t expect it at all, but I was really happy. During the pre-season, I realized I was playing a lot of minutes. It was unexpected, but I worked really hard for it, so I’m definitely happy,” said Niang, who is averaging 4.2 points on 39.1% three-point shooting and 1.7 rebounds in the Italian League.

“I expected a big gap. The biggest challenge has been the physicality. I’m still trying to figure out what I need to compete at this level.”

Cheickh also knows he landed in the right spot at Trento when he arrived from Vis 2008 Ferrara in 2023.

“Trento is one of the few clubs that lets young players play in the first league or in Europe. I believe there are many young players with talent who just need a chance to show it, and Trento gives that chance early,” Niang said.

Cheickh knows that part of the attention he gets comes from being Saliou’s younger brother.

“It doesn’t change anything. Being Saliou’s brother is not a problem,” he said. “I’m really happy to see my brother playing at this level.”

But that is where Cheickh’s allegiance stops. “I don’t support Virtus - only my brother.”

More Trento news

The teenage Trento guard is already making a name for himself