Valencia Basket sealed a quarterfinals spot, led by Ojeleye's strong fourth quarter 


Ojeleye sent Valencia to the quarterfinals 

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2024-25) became the first team to lock down a quarterfinals spot in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup with [Tuesday's 91-96 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/semi-ojeleye-leads-valencia-past-lietkabelis-91-96/) over [7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/lietkabelis-panevezys/roster/lkb/?season=2024-25) in Round 15. That win guaranteed Coach Pedro Martinez's men a top 2 finish in Group B. Valencia has thus earned a bye the eighthfinals round and will play at home in the single-game quarterfinals.

Lietkabelis had already beaten Valencia earlier this season at La Fonteta, [106-107 in overtime](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/lietkabelis-stuns-valencia-in-ot-106-107/). It was the first team to beat Valencia in EuroCup action this season and led 78-76 early in the fourth quarter. The game had been a back-and-forth battle until star forward [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) decided he'd had enough.

Valencia Basket forward Semi Ojeleye had 20 points against 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys.

Ojeleye leads Valencia to 13th win

Ojeleye buried consecutive three-pointers and added a pair of free throws in an 0-8 run that put Valencia ahead for good, 78-84. He had time to bury another bomb from downtown, another foul shot and a driving layup to get 13 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter. When Lietkabelis got within 91-93, [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-jones/010568/) sealed the outcome with a critical three-point play. On a team loaded with talent, Ojeleye and Jones have proven to be the most experienced players and the go-to guys in close games.

Valencia played better defense when it mattered most, too, limiting Lietkabelis to just 17 fourth-quarter points. The hosts found easy options inside the arc for 30 minutes, making 23 of 35 two-pointers (65.7% 2FG), dishing 20 assists and committing just 9 turnovers. Everything changed in the fourth quarter, in which Lietkabelis made just 3 of 8 two-pointers (37.5% 2FG) and had as many assists as turnovers, 4.

Game Videos

The fact that Valencia already punched its ticket to the quarterfinals should not slow the team down, as there is a bigger goal at stake. Right now, Valencia leads Group B with a 13-2 record and a whopping global average of +217. Finishing the regular season with a better record than any team in Group A would give Valencia the home-court advantage in each and every potential playoff series in both the semifinals and the finals.

"They are a good team. It's a good competition and they play so hard, and when a team plays that hard, they always have a chance to win. We were able to come out with a win tonight just because I think we matched their energy in the end," Ojeleye said. 

"I want to win, and I want to win for my teammates. I think everybody on the team wants to win, so at any point we have great players that can do the same thing, whether it's Jean \[Montero\], Chris \[Jones\], Xabi \[Lopez-Arostegui\]... We have all had big moments."

Game News

Valencia Basket sealed spot in the quarterfinals led by Ojeleye's strong fourth quarter 


Semi Ojeleye sent Valencia to the quarterfinals 

Valencia Basket v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2024-12-20T19:30:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana outscored Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem 7-15 over the game's last 4 minutes to claim a 70-74 victory at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria. 

Cedevita holds off Jerusalem 70-74 to rise into second place

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana outscored Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem 7-15 over the game's last 4 minutes to claim a 70-74 victory at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria. The victory sent Cedevita into second place in Group B with a 9-5 record, while Jerusalem is right behind at 9-6. Cedevita will play its delayed Round 13 game against 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys on Thursday, which if it loses it will fall behind Jerusalem in the standings, since Jerusalem holds the head-to-head tiebreaker between the teams. <br>
<br>
Brynton Lemar led the Cedevita attack with 17 points against his former team and Aleksej Nikolic added 16 – including 6 free throws down the stretch to help seal the win. Devin Robinson posted 15 points and 9 rebounds and teenager Joan Beringer tallied 8 points and 11 boards as Cedevita outrebounded Jerusalem 36-50. Justin Smith and Jared Harper scored 16 each for Jerusalem, with the latter also dishing 8 assists, and Khadeen Carrington scored 15 in defeat.

Beringer scored on a put-back for Cedevita on the game’s first possession and then more than 3 minutes passed before the next points were scored via Chris Johnson free throws. A three-point play by Robinson and a three-pointer by Lemar made it 2-8. Lemar added another three to stretch the lead before Smith finally made Jerusalem’s first basket after more than 6 minutes of game play. Nikolic sank Cedevita’s next triple to make it 6-14. Jerusalem trimmed the gap thanks to free throws by Carrington and Jeremy Morgan. Carrington added a jumper to make it 13-16 after 10 minutes.  

Yovel Zoosman tied the game with a three-pointer on the first possession of the second quarter. Smith heated up with a pair of scores to give Jerusalem its first lead, 20-18. After a Cedevita timeout, Jaka Blazic scored his first points of the contest with a tough layup. Blazic added more points from the line. Harper, the EuroCup's leading scorer, was scoreless until his triple with less than 4 minutes left in the quarter made it 28-23. Lemar kept Cedevita close with a tough layup and a three-pointer and Nikolic drilled a three at the halftime buzzer to give his team a 32-33 lead.

Harper tied the game with a floater early in the second half only to see Devante Jones answer with a triple. Harper remained hot for Jerusalem, but Jerusalem struggled to deny Beringer on the offensive glass. The young center fed Jones for a second-chance triple and threw down an alley-oop slam to make it 40-44. Harper drained a three and fed Justin Smith as Jerusalem quickly erased the deficit. Zoosman added a triple to cap an 8-0 run. Lemar answered for Cedevita and it was 50-49 at the end of the third quarter.   

A tip-in by Robinson put Cedevita ahead on the first possession of the fourth quarter. Harper fed Smith for a layup and scored a contested basket to push Jerusalem in front. Robinson made sure to keep Cedevita close. Johnson buried a three to make it 61-57 with less than 5 minutes to play. Jones closed the gap to 63-62 with a clutch triple and then Robinson put Cedevita ahead. Robinson added a long jumper with 1:13 remaining to put his team up 3. After Carrington and Nikolic traded free throws, Harper missed from deep. Nikolic grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made it a two-possession game from the line. A three by Zoosman with 12 seconds left gave Jerusalem hope, but again Nikolic answered with free throws and Cedevita hung on.  

The win leveled the two teams with 9 wins while Cedevita has a game at hand

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-01-14T18:00:00.000Z)

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul picked up a massively important victory in the fight for the playoffs as it defeated Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius 79-77 at home after a nightmare start to the second half. Besiktas survived going scoreless for more than 7 minutes in the third quarter and falling behind by 11 points to win down the stretch and snap a three-game losing streak for an 8-7 record. 

Besiktas rallies to beat Wolves 79-77, snap three-game skid

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul picked up a massively important victory in the fight for the playoffs as it defeated Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius 79-77 at home after a nightmare start to the second half. Besiktas survived going scoreless for more than 7 minutes in the third quarter and falling behind by 11 points to win down the stretch and snap a three-game losing streak for an 8-7 record. 

Jonah Mathews poured in 27 points for the hosts, Berk Ugurlu added 20 points and Kelan Martin and Dustin Sleva both chipped in 10 points. Wolves have now dropped five of the last seven games for a 7-8 record. The one good thing for the Lithuanian side is it still owns the tiebreaker over Besiktas thanks to its 93-78 home win in Round 6. Anthony Cowan scored 22 points in the loss. 

Besiktas went up 5-2 to start the game but Regimantas Miniotas scored Wolves’ first 7 points and it was 5-9. Ugurlu knocked down two triples at the other end in a 14-4 run to put Besiktas up 19-13. The scoring in the final 4 minutes was almost exclusively from the free-throw line, with Wolves trailing 23-22 after 10 minutes. 

Wolves held Besiktas scoreless for the first 3 minutes of the second quarter and took a 23-26 lead. Mathews responded with five straight points to put Besiktas back up 28-26, starting a stretch of four lead changes. Miniotas added two free throws and a three-point play as Wolves led multiple times by three points. The score was deadlocked 40-40 at the break. 

Jeffery Taylor opened the second half with a score for the guests, but it was the only points for either team for nearly the first 5 minutes of the third quarter. Cowan had five points in the 0-11 run to give Wolves the lead 40-51. Besiktas finally scored at the 2:26 minute mark after 10 missed shots and 2 turnovers. Yigit Arlan’s triple finally got Besiktas on the board and Ugurlu added a three-point play to get within 50-56. And the guests were leading 52-59 after 30 minutes.

The Besiktas push continued in the final frame, with Conor Morgan hitting a triple to make it 57-61. Martin converted a three-point play and Ugurlu added another three-pointer to get the hosts within 63-66 with 5 minutes to play. An unsportsmanlike foul on Cowan resulted in two Sleva free throws and a Mathews jumper to put Besiktas back in front 67-66. Mathews just kept going with a jumper and three-point play and the home side led 73-67 with 97 seconds to go. And that was enough for the win. Sleva finished the game off for good with two free throws with 3.6 seconds to go. 

While the Turkish side secured an advantage over the Lithuanian outfit in the playoff race, it is Alessandro Magro's men who still hold the tiebreaker

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2025-01-14T17:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket became the first team to qualify to the EuroCup Quarterfinals after downing 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys 91-96 on the road in Round 15 on Tuesday. 

Semi Ojeleye leads Valencia past Lietkabelis, 91-96

Valencia Basket became the first team to qualify to the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals after downing 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys 91-96 on the road in Round 15 on Tuesday. Valencia improved to 13-2 in Group B and locked at least second place at the end of the regular season, enough to skip the eighthfinals and play the single-game quarterfinals at La Fonteta. Lietkabelis dropped to 4-10 and could be mathematically out of the playoff race at the end of this round. 

Semi Ojeleye led the winners with 20 points. Jaime Pradilla, Chris Jones and Jean Montero each added 14, Xabi Lopez-Arostegui had 13 and Nate Reuvers got 11 for Valencia. Martynas Varnas led Lietkabelis with 19 points. Paulius Danusevicius added 14, Georgios Kalaitzakis 13, Djordje Gagic 11 and Dovis Bickauskis 10.

Montero got Valencia going with a jumper and then he bettered Gagic's jump hook with a triple. After Danusevicius banked in a close shot, Pradilla followed a three-pointer with a layup. Kalaitzakis's jumper drew Lietkabelis within 6-9. Gagic scored again and followed Kakaitzakis's jumper with a dunk to put the hosts ahead, 12-11. Lopez-Arostegui stepped up for Valencia with 7 quick points to put his team in charge, 14-18. After Danusevicius struck from downtown, Jones followed a driving layup with a jumper. Ojeleye sank a corner triple for a 19-25 Valencia lead. Montero and Gagic traded baskets and then Aminah Brimah boosted the visitors' lead to 21-28 after 10 minutes.

Bickauskis struck from beyond the arc early in the second quarter and Grantas Vasiliauskas dunked to make it 26-30. Lipkevicius sank a jumper and an unstoppable Vasiliauskas dunked three more times to give Lietkabelis a 34-33 lead. After Jones buried a floater, Reuvers, Lopez-Arostegui, Oleksandr Kovliar, Montero and Varnas each struck from downtown for a 40-44 score. Jones and Josep Puerto also buried one triple apiece, which prompted the hosts to call timeout at 40-50. Kalaitzakis and Bickauskis fueled a 6-0 Lietkabelis run, but Jones restored a 46-52 Valencia edge at halftime.

Pradilla scored twice around the rim right after the break. Lipkevicius beat the shot clock with a three-pointer and got help from Gagic and Danusevicius to bring Lietkabelis within 55-56. After Matt Costello buried a three-pointer, Varnas answered with a driving layup and Kovliar struck from downtown, which led to a Valencia timeout at 60-59. Reuvers stepped up with a layup and erased Varnas's alley-oop basket with a dunk. Bickauskis followed a driving layup with a bomb from downtown, Ojeleye made a corner triple and Danusevicius set a 69-68 Lietkabelis lead. Kalaitzakis followed a jumper with a layup, but Pradilla scored again and Lopez-Arostegui's three-pointer kept Valencia within 74-73 through three quarters.

Puerto struck from beyond the arc early in the fourth quarter. Kalaitzakis banked in an off-balance shot, which Varnas followed with a backdoor layup for a 78-76 Lietkabelis lead. Ojeleye took over with back-to-back three-pointers in a 0-8 run that he capped with free throws. Lipkevicius and Varnas each struck from downtown, but a red-hot Ojeleye single-handedly kept Valencia in charge, 84-90, with 3 minutes left. Danusevicius stepped up with a close basket that Montero improved with an eight-meter bomb. Varnas hit free throws and added a triple that gave Lietkabelis hope at 91-93. Jones silenced the crowd with a wild three-point play that sealed the outcome.

The forward made the difference in the fourth quarter 


7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Valencia Basket (2025-01-14T17:00:00.000Z)

Joventut Badalona has confirmed that Sam Dekker has signed a deal to remain with the team until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Sam Dekker re-signs with Joventut until end of season

[Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/jov/) has confirmed that [Sam Dekker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/) will remain with the team on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Dekker (2.03 meters, 30 years old) initially joined Joventut on a short-term deal in mid-November and later received a one-month extension, but the former NBA forward will now see out the remainder of the campaign in Badalona.

Since arriving in Spain, Dekker has played six times in the BKT EuroCup for Joventut, averaging 9.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists. In the Spanish League, he has posted 13.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in eight appearances.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">💣 Sam <a href="https://twitter.com/dekker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dekker</a>, renovat fins a final de temporada!<br><br>✍️ El Club Joventut Badalona i l’aler pivot nord-americà han ampliat el contracte que els unia i Dekker acabarà el curs a la Penya<br><br>📝 El comunicat: <a href="https://t.co/SHWYQ97UGl">https://t.co/SHWYQ97UGl</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CityOfBadalona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CityOfBadalona</a> <a href="https://t.co/WpEhR9oeWc">pic.twitter.com/WpEhR9oeWc</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1879113776055955847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Formerly a member of the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, and Toronto Raptors in the NBA, Dekker is in his sixth season in Europe. 

Prior to landing at Joventut, he played on the old continent for Lokomotiv Kuban (2019-20), Turk Telekom Ankara (2020-21), Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2021-22), and the London Lions (2022-24).

Now in his fourth EuroCup season, having played for Lokomotiv, London and now Joventut in the competition, his career averages stand at 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per night across 43 games.

Joventut is currently eighth in Group A with a 5-9 record, but with four games remaining in the regular season, it still has hopes of sneaking into the top six and playing playoff basketball in March.

More Joventut News

The American has quickly become a fans' favorite in Badalona

Hapoel Tel Aviv BC guard Marcus Foster spoke to Frankie Sachs about what makes his team special in this week's EuroCup interview.

Marcus Foster: 'I can help this team elevate'

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) has been in the headlines since a splash of high-profile signings, which have made the club a serious contender for the BKT EuroCup crown. Despite all the big names, no player has put the ball in the net more for Hapoel this season than [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/) with 188 points. 

A combo-guard with EuroLeague experience, Foster has been a go-to scorer at most stops in his career, but this season has taken on a different role and – after an adjustment period – he’s been thriving in it.

Foster, 29, is among the league’s most-efficient shooters, having made 70.3% of his two-pointers and 43.5% of his threes to average 13.4 points. 

In this interview, Foster discusses how he adjusted to his role on this team, who Hapoel’s unsung heroes are, what it’s like to play for coach Dimitris Itoudis, and how Hapoel’s demanding schedule helps the team, among other topics.

**Congratulations on your three-game winning streak in the EuroCup. The team is getting contributions from everywhere and you guys aren’t even at full strength! How is the vibe in the locker room?**

"The vibe is very high right now. I think we're figuring out what we need to do to be a good team and especially at this time of the season, with four EuroCup games left, we want to find some momentum heading into the playoffs."

**You’ve always been a great scorer, but this season your scoring efficiency has been truly outstanding. What do you attribute that to?**

"This year it's more about just focusing on being the best role player I could be for this team as far as my scoring ability; defensively, just trying to do all the little things and just focus on whatever minutes I have, I have to be the best, you know, not for my individual self, but for the team. So it's a different role but I understand the goal we have as a team and the talent we have, so I feel if I can be a star in my role, I can help this team elevate and get to where we need to be."

Big buckets from Marcus Foster of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, Rounds 1-14, 2024-25

Big buckets from Marcus Foster

**Can you talk more about that role and how you’ve adapted to it?**

"I think just being patient and taking the shots I’m allowed to take. You know, usually I'm in a role where I can come down and take some bad shots and, you know, force some things, but this year with the team we have, I have to be more efficient. I have to execute in the time that I have and also I'm playing with great guys on my team. When you're coming down and Patrick Beverley has the ball, you know \[the opposition's\] defense is a little more worried about him or Yam Madar or Antonio Blakeney, Bar \[Timor\], you know. It's just the people I'm surrounded by, there's so much attention on other guys and there's attention on me, so the time I have when I have the ball, I just have to be efficient and make the reads and make the plays I know how to make.

"I think it's definitely different expectations, like I was saying; this is a role that it took me a little bit to get to understand how to play. Usually, I'm the guy that is trying to make the plays every time down, trying to get guys going. Now there are situations where I can sit back and let them work for me, in the sense of coming down, just spacing out the court, sitting in the corner. They might not get me the first two or three times, but eventually, the ball's gonna come around to me just because those guys know how to dissect the game and get players better each time, so like I said, it's a very different role than I’m used to, but I'm enjoying doing something new on the court."

**Was it difficult mentally to adjust to playing such a different role on a team?**

"Yes. At the beginning, it was very difficult. As you can see I wasn't playing the best at the beginning, but I started to figure it out and game by game, I started getting good at what I'm doing right now. Of course, my whole career in Europe, outside of Panathinaikos, I was really the main guy, the creator, I was making the reads, I'm making the passes most of the time. I'm 80% of the offense on my team. So I've definitely missed that aspect of it, but I like being around elite-level players and on a high-level team that has a very big ambition to win and go to the EuroLeague. It makes it all worth it for me. I remember coming in when I signed. What I'm doing now is what I talked about. I always say less is more. The less I do, the more valuable I am to this team. I don't have to overdo it, overforce it sometimes, but you know at the end of the day, I still gotta play my game and that's what the fun part about it is. I'm enjoying it. How can I still play my game but also do less and help my team? So it took me a while to get it and now I feel like I'm in a groove where I'm understanding what I need to do each night."

"It took me a while to get it and now I feel like I'm in a groove where I'm understanding what I need to do each night."

**When you signed with Hapoel, the team had already signed Johnathan Motley and made it clear that it was aiming high. And then came Ish Wainright, Patrick Beverley and later Bruno Caboclo. What were your reactions as the team kept getting stronger?**

"It just made me more confident in the situation I'm in. You know when you're coming in and you're making the team, you know, you have all these ambitions and goals, but you never know what could happen throughout the season. So you know the more and more we’re signing, the more and more I understand that this team, this organization is serious about what they're trying to do. So it just put... I wouldn't say it puts the pressure on us as players, it just puts a different perspective on what we need to do on the court. I think that's why there's so many eyes, so much attention and so much talk around the team when we win games and lose games. I was just excited about being around these guys, some guys I've known for a while, some guys that I'd seen play and some guys that I've always wanted to play with, like Joe Ragland, so I'm just excited that I was one of the guys chosen to be a part of this."

**The rotation can be very deep with contributions coming from all over. Who would you say is the unsung player, the player who gets the least credit for his contributions?**

"I would probably say Bar Timor or Ish Wainright just because those guys are so solid for us every night. You know, you got Bar leading us and doing different things. Some games Bar may have 12-15 points for us or some games; like last game against Jerusalem \[in the Israeli League\], he had 7 assists. Bar does a little bit of everything and he defends for us. Guys like that who aren't, you know, I would say the guys like Patrick Beverley, Johnathan Motley, Antonio Blakeney with the higher name as far as the standards of NBA and stuff like that, we all know Bar has a big name in Europe because he's been a consistent player, but you know, every game he's bringing another dimension for us that helps us win. And then Ishmail Wainright, he just does all the dirty work for us. He's guarding the best players. He may not be getting the most shots on the team, but he also can shoot, so he's a threat on the offensive end for us and as you can see in games, Ish just sits down and does the dirty work, gets deflections and he's on the floor and he's talking to guys. When you got guys like that in the locker room, it helps us a lot."

Foster on Bar Timor: 'Every game he's bringing another dimension for us that helps us win'

**The big midseason addition was Yam Madar, who wasn’t playing much in the EuroLeague with FC Bayern Munich but has looked great since returning to Hapoel. What can you say about playing alongside him?**

"It's great. You know, sometimes I'm watching him play and I forget how young of a player he is because of the way he carries himself on the court. He has a very mature game and he helps me be able to score some of the easy shots that I score sometimes because the way he drives and kicks puts me in situations to make the game easier for me. And just this energy every day, he's trying to learn, he's trying to be a better player to help his team and he also takes information in. You know at the levels he's played in the past couple years with Partizan, Fenerbahce and Bayern Munich, he understands the level of what it takes to have a good team and also be a good player."

**What has it been like to play for Coach Itoudis? What kind of impact can you say he’s had since taking over?**

"It's tough. I'm not gonna lie. It's very tough, but it's a good thing. You know, he's a very hard coach. Elite coach. I understand why he is one of the best coaches in Europe and why he has titles and all that because every day he's asking for perfection, and he's not \[just\] asking for perfection from Patrick Beverley or Johnathan Motley, he's asking from everybody. From the guy that plays the most to the guy that may never play. And that's what I like about him. And what I like even more is he's teaching me how to be a different dynamic player, like what we've been talking about. He's teaching me how to play off ball, he's teaching me how to defend guys, what I need to do when guys are coming off the pick-and-roll. He's really teaching me the game in a way I've never been taught before. So I never thought I would be in a position where he would be my head coach. So, you know, it's tough some days, but I'm enjoying it and being a part of this process with him."

Foster on Coach Itoudis: 'He's really teaching me the game in a way I've never been taught before'

**The security situation is Israel has meant that you guys are playing all of your “home” games in Bulgaria. Of course, the demanding travel schedule is a burden. But I imagine there must be some positives to that in terms of team bonding and off-court chemistry.**

"It's difficult to have to travel like that and going to Samokov, Bulgaria, a small, small, small place and, you know, not much to do there, but it gives us that bonding time. We're at the airport every week. Long bus trips, so we spend a lot of time with each other, and it helps us bond and like I said, this team is something I've never been a part of as far as on the court and off the court. We're a very close team, and not just the foreign players. The foreign players and the Israeli players are very close. So I'm just enjoying being part of this."

**How much can that off-court chemistry help the team on the court?**

"A lot. I believe it helps a lot. I think, through my past years playing different teams, the closer teams are, those are the teams that win at the end. Because you start to understand each other, you start to know each other. So I think that's gonna be a big part and I think that's what's helping us right now gel and as we are because we're with each other every day."

"This team is something I've never been a part of as far as on the court and off the court. We're a very close team."

**You have played all the teams in your group at least once and you know the other Israeli team in the EuroCup, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, pretty well. How far do you think Jerusalem can go in this competition?**

"Jerusalem is a very good team, very well-disciplined team on defense. I think that's what makes them so good. And when you've got a guy like Jared Harper who's leading the way, it also helps them a lot, I think they have a chance to be a final four team with a chance to go to the championship regardless who they play in the semifinals, whether it be us or Valencia, Bahcesehir. Whoever they play, I think they definitely have a chance to make the finals.”

**Can you imagine a scenario where you guys are playing them in the semifinals or the finals and what that would mean for Israeli basketball?**

"I think that would mean a lot to Israeli basketball. I'm not sure if it's ever been done before but I think it's something that would be great for this country and just to put people to understand how good of a basketball place this is to play, so that would be something amazing if it did happen that way."

More Hapoel Tel Aviv News

The Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv guard spoke to Frankie Sachs about what makes his team special in this week's EuroCup interview

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips for Round 15 of the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge.

Fantasy tips, Round 15: Some underused options

It is being a very competitive BKT EuroCup season and, of course, the same can be said about the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/). 

With just four regular-season games left, it is time for the best teams to go all-in to qualify to the playoffs and get one of the top-two spots in each group, going straight to the quarterfinals. 

As for fantasy, I have some recommendations for you. Here they are.

Kur Kuath, Tyler Cavanaugh, Carlos Alocen, Nick Johnson and Marcio Santos are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Round 15

### Kur Kuath, Veolia Towers Hamburg (10.2 credits)

[Kur Kuath](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kur-kuath/013313/) is proving to be a defensive wall but has also been really effective on offense. He has scored in double digits in each of his last five games, hitting 26-of-33 two-pointers to average 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and a PIR of 18.4. If you are looking for a steady center with a solid PIR, Kuath is your man.

### Tyler Cavanaugh, Bahcesehir College Istanbul (13.2 credits)

In Round 14, [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) finished the game against Buducnost with a career-best 17 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 20. He has amassed three double-doubles and averaged 11.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and a PIR of 17.8 in the last five games. Cavanaugh should keep it going all season long.

### Nick Johnson, Trefl Sopot (11.1 credits)

After a small adjustment period, [Nick Johnson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nick-johnson/007426/) has been simply outstanding and done a little bit of everything for Trefl, which just got its first victory. In the last three games, Johnson averaged 11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 2.0 steals and a PIR of 18.3. Johnson is owned by 0.5% of managers. A hidden gem in the market!

### Marcio Santos, ratiopharm Ulm (9.2 credits)  

[Marcio Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcio-santos/013289/) is even less popular than Johnson, owned by just 0.4% of happy managers who are enjoying his great performances lately. After averaging 1.8 points and a PIR of 1.2 in the previous four games, Santos has boosted his numbers up to 15.0 points and a PIR of 14.8 in the last four showdowns. Santos, the man of the moment!

### Carlos Alocen, Dreamland Gran Canaria (8.5 credits)

Another great option under 10.0 credits. [Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/carlos-alocen/010623/) has found his rhythm and has been extremely effective in the last two games, averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and a PIR of 16.5 in the last two games. Seeing more playing time has allowed Alocen to show his best version and it looks like the best is yet to come.

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips for the week ahead

Turk Telekom Ankara v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2025-01-15T16:30:00.000Z)

Trefl Sopot v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2025-01-15T18:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v ratiopharm Ulm (2025-01-14T19:00:00.000Z)

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Joventut Badalona (2025-01-15T20:00:00.000Z)

Time is running out in the race for postseason action in the BKT EuroCup, and Round 15 promises a thrilling week of action. Here’s your guide to Tuesday and Wednesday’s games.

At a glance: Entering the home straight

Time is running out in the race for postseason action in the BKT EuroCup, and Round 15 promises a thrilling week of action. Here’s your guide to Tuesday and Wednesday’s games.

## Tuesday, January 14

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Valencia Basket (18:00 CET)

With a playoff place guaranteed, Valencia (12-2) will look to secure top seed status with a trip to Lietakbelis (4-9), which might have to win all its remaining games to progress. Last week’s loss at Bourg was a big setback for the Lithuanian team, which will look to recapture the magic of December’s overtime win at Valencia, propelled by 21 points and 6 assists from guard [Martynas Varnas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/martynas-varnas/005521/). The Spanish side appears to have overcome its midseason blip, winning by 38 against Turk Telekom last week as youngster [Sergio de Larrea](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sergio-de-larrea/010750/) underlined his talent with 9 points and 9 assists. Valencia will not want to lose twice to the same team, so Lietkabelis will have to be at its very best.

### Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (18:00 CET)

A pair of direct rivals who have badly lost their way look to bounce back as Besiktas (7-7) hosts Wolves (7-7) for a crucial Group A showdown. The Turkish team has lost three games straight due to an alarming defensive collapse, allowing at least 93 points in each of those defeats. Last week’s defeat at Joventut saw only [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) (18 points) score in double digits, so there are concerns at both ends for coach Dusan Alimpijevic. Wolves has lost two of its last three and will aim to recover from last week’s shock defeat to previously winless Trefl, when 17 points and 8 assists from the consistent [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/) was not enough to prevent a 23-point thrashing.

Round 15 Head-to-Head: Mathews vs. Cowan

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (19:00 CET)

It’s second versus third in Group B as Jerusalem (9-5) welcomes Cedevita (8-5) for a crucial matchup. The first meeting between the teams was taken 83-94 by Jerusalem – which has never lost to the Slovenian team – as the unstoppable [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) delivered a typically game-changing performance with 30 points. Cedevita ranks third in the EuroCup in steals, so backcourt players like [Devante Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devante-jones/013260/), who had 14 points and 5 assists to orchestrate last week’s win over Aris, will look to put pressure on the ball to limit the effectiveness of Harper. Another key for the visitor will be the athleticism of [Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/), who has recorded double-digit PIR in nine of the last ten games.

Round 15 Head-to-Head: Smith vs. Robinson

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. ratiopharm Ulm (20:00 CET)

Trento (4-10) will look to keep alive its faint playoff hopes by overcoming an Ulm team (9-5) still battling for a top two finish. The Italian team suffered at both ends of the floor in last week’s heavy loss at Hapoel, and needs more than just [Jordan Ford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-ford/013270/) – who has scored at least 17 points in five straight games – to propel an offense which has failed to reach 70 points in the last two outings. Ulm saw its five-game winning streak ended by last week’s home loss to Gran Canaria despite 19 points from [Ben Saraf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ben-saraf/011437/), and will hope big man [Marcio Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcio-santos/013289/) repeats the performance which delivered 23 points and 11 boards to edge out Trento, 84-82, in Round 6.

## Wednesday, January 15

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (17:30 CET)

Turk Telekom (8-6) will look to stay on the playoff path with a visit from lowly Hamburg (3-11). Despite being out of postseason contention, the German team showed it will continue fighting with a battling performance in last week's loss to Reyer, led by [Jordan Barnett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-barnett/013312/) knocking down 4 triples in his 16 points. The Turkish team needs to react after last week's thrashing at the hands of Valencia, and will hope for another strong performance from forward [Berkan Durmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/berkan-durmaz/007917/) after he provided 16 points and 6 rebounds in that game. Hamburg hasn’t won on the road all season whereas Turk Telekom is 6-2 at home, so a visiting victory would be a major upset.

### Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (19:00 CET)

Struggling Aris (3-11) will look to strike a positive note by upsetting playoff chasing Bourg (7-7). The French team ended a three-game losing streak by overcoming Lietkabelis last week behind 17 points and 9 rebounds from forward [Jordan Usher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-usher/013265/), who has recorded double-digit scoring in seven of the last eight games. Aris needs to improve at both ends of the floor after losing by 21 at Cedevita in Round 14, and needs big man [Darral Willis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/darral-willis/010397/) to maintain his strong form after averaging 12.0 points and 6.3 rebounds since arriving at the club mid-season. Bourg will counter him with [Kevin Kokila](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/), who grabbed 9 points and 9 rebounds in last week’s win.

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (19:00 CET)

After being edged out in heartbreaking fashion in last week’s overtime loss to Bahcesehir, battling Buducnost (6-8) will look to threaten another pacesetter with a visit from Hapoel (9-5). It’s a key game for both teams as the host looks to climb into the playoff places, while Hapoel is just one game behind Gran Canaria in second place. Buducnost will need a strong game from [Kenan Kamenjas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenan-kamenjas/008325/), who had 12 points and 8 rebounds last week, as he faces visiting big man [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) – the Brazilian is coming off his best game of the season with 19 points and 9 boards to overpower Trento and help Hapoel gain a third straight win.

Round 15 Head-to-Head: Ferrell vs. Madar

### Trefl Sopot vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (19:00 CET)

After finally gaining its first win by thrashing Wolves last week, Trefl (1-13) will look to cause another upset with a visit from Group A leader Bahcesehir (12-2). The Polish team was led to its maiden triumph by 20 points from [Jaroslaw Zyskowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaroslaw-zyskowski/013295/), who also grabbed 9 rebounds in a powerful team performance that delivered a total of 45 boards. So Bahcesehir, which has won three in a row to clinch a playoff berth, will have to fight hard in the paint behind the consistently excellent [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/), who bagged a double-double of 16 points and 10 boards to help propel his team’s latest triumph in last week’s overtime thriller against Buducnost.

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (20:00 CET)

A vital battle in Group B will see Reyer (8-6) attempt to maintain its excellent form with a visit from direct rival Cluj (7-7). The Italian team has won six out of the last seven, with [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/)'s usual smooth shooting delivering 16 points in last week's win at Hamburg. Cluj needs to bounce back from last week's loss against Jerusalem, when 27 points from in-form [DJ Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dennis-seeley/004862/) weren't enough to compensate a poor defensive performance. Cluj won the season’s first meeting between the teams, triumphing 86-78 in October thanks to a huge fourth quarter comeback led by [Adam Mokoka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/adam-mokoka/012698/), who finished with 16 points, so both teams will understand the importance of playing the full 40 minutes in this crucial encounter.

Round 15 Head-to-Head: Kabengele vs. Hankins

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Joventut Badalona (21:00 CET)

An all-Spanish showdown will see Gran Canaria (10-4) continue to push for a top two finish against a Joventut team (5-9) battling to stay in playoff contention. Last week’s thrashing of Besiktas was a belated demonstration of Joventut’s quality, with [Kassius Robertson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kassius-robertson/012740/) maintaining his strong form by pouring in 17 points. Ther visitor will need a performance of similar quality against a Gran Canaria that stood strong on the road last week to overcome Ulm, where [Mike Tobey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mike-tobey/008966/) showed his quality in the paint with 10 points and 10 boards. His battle against visiting bigs [Art Pustovyi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/artem-pustovyi/004834/) and [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) will be well worth watching in this mouthwatering matchup.

Round 15 Head-to-Head: Tobey vs. Tomic

The business end of the season is fast approaching

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-01-16T17:30:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2025-01-15T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2025-01-15T18:00:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2025-01-15T19:00:00.000Z)

Round 14 of the EuroCup saw Hapoel Tel Aviv BC score 18 points with the shot clock under 4 seconds while allowing just 4 during its 21-point win over Trento.

Stats review: Late-clock execution

Round 14 of the BKT EuroCup saw [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) gain some ground in the standings with only four rounds remaining in the 2024-25 regular season. Putting together a stellar shooting effort in a win over [Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/trn/), the club displayed it offensive prowess by scoring steadily from the perimeter. Their execution was a factor in the final 21-point margin as well, as they scored 18 points with the shot clock under 4 seconds while allowing just 4.

Synergy defines short-clock opportunities as any possession occurring with 4 seconds or less on the shot or game clock. Those possessions make up right around 18% of all EuroCup plays, with teams typically falling with 12% and 24% depending on how quickly they get the ball up the floor or choose to use up the shot or game clock.

Historically, there is dramatically less variance in the frequency teams operate late in the clock as there is in the efficiency they score with when they do, and this season is no exception. On average, teams are scoring 0.82 points per short clock possession – well behind the 0.95 average for half-court possessions. With six teams scoring under 0.80 points per late-clock possession and several well below that mark, the challenges of making something out of nothing under time pressure is particularly real for a few teams this season. 

Perhaps no team in recent history has benefited as much from their late clock execution as Hapoel. As the table above suggests, they are not just good under time pressure, they’re spectacular. Their 0.99 points per possession scored with the shot clock under 4 seconds would rank fourth in half-court efficiency this season and is a big reason why Hapoel leads the EuroCup in overall efficiency heading into the final stretch of the season. Though the club does not grind the clock often, their shooting wavers little when they do.  With only one player ranked in the top 45 in individual late-clock scoring, their considerable success is the result of a true team effort.

[Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/wol/) edges [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/) for second spot based largely on their shot selection. They have made late-clock three-point attempts at a serviceable 32% clip and have leaned into their guards' ability to make shots from deep with the clock winding down – Wolves and Hapoel are the only two teams that have attempted more three-pointers than two-pointers in short shot-clock situations this season.

The top individual short-clock scorer this season is [Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/ari/)'s [Vassilis Toliopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/vassilis-toliopoulos/004292/), who is averaging 3.8 points per game in these situations. Aris is one of several teams that has looked to grind the clock regularly this season, with [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) and [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/) leading the way by playing deep into the clock almost 25% of the time. 

Bahcesehir has also been the best defensive unit in late-clock situations, allowing just 0.64 points per possession. [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) and Gran Canaria fall a bit off that pace but are still far better than average. No team in the EuroCup has forced late-clock possessions at an especially impressive rate, but Trento sits just ahead of a large pack of teams.

It will be interesting to see how the outlier level success of both Bahcesehir and Hapoel stands up to the rest of the season.

Some teams are really standing out as the shot clock winds down