After beginning the 2024-25 EuroCup season with five losses over the first seven games, Reyer Venezia seems to be picking up the pace right when it matters.

Reyer Venezia gearing up and climbing the ranks at the right moment

After beginning the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup Regular Season with five losses over the first seven games, [Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/vnc/) seems to be picking up the pace right when it matters.

Reyer has won its last three games against Turk Telekom Ankara at home and 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys and Aris Midea Thessaloniki on the road to now balance their record at 5-5, build momentum and gain considerable optimism and positivity in the decisive second half of the group stage, which is now in full swing.

While the streak began before the national team break, this interval was quite beneficial to the team as it is now performing as a tighter and more cohesive unit on the floor.

"We’ve had a couple of practices together after the FIBA window, and I think we worked well,” Reyer star big man [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/) said just before his squad’s successful trip to Lithuania. “I found my teammates in great shape; they’ve been working hard these past days while I was with the Canadian national team.”

“After this break for the FIBA window, we are fresher, even though some players were busy with their national teams,” commented Reyer coach Neven Spahija. “We’re getting [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/) back, and that means a lot to us."

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/1755113/reyer-venice-gearing-up-and-climbing-the-ranks-at-the-right-moment/).

The Italian side is in seventh spot in Group B, just on the verge of the playoff spots

Reyer Venice gearing up and climbing the ranks at the right moment

Javier Gancedo chatted with Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse forward Jordan Usher for this week's EuroCup interview. 

Jordan Usher: 'You will see more from me'

Only 26 years of age, [Jordan Usher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-usher/013265/) of [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/) has seen a thing or two in basketball already. This season is his first in the BKT EuroCup and after a somewhat slow start, he has come around recently to average 16.3 points on 47.0% three-point shooting for a PIR of 17.5 over his last four games. After playing college basketball for two different schools, where he would play alongside future EuroCup and EuroLeague players, Usher began his professional career in Turkiye with Besiktas Istanbul and last season teamed with the eventual No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft, Alex Sarr, on the Perth Wildcats in Australia. After those experiences, he has big goals for Bourg.

"I want us to win the EuroCup championship or at least make the finals," Usher told Javier Gancedo of the official EuroCup website. He also explained his recent superb form by saying: "I'm gelling with the team, being able to get to my spots, and they know when I need the ball and how I can help the defense."

**Hello, Jordan. First of all, congratulations on beating Hamburg last week. How important was this win now that you are getting closer to the end of the regular season?**

"Thanks. This was a huge win. We need to have a really good December. We need to have a good month. We need to have a good win coming up here against Cluj and it was good to beat them that second time and just give us some more cushion in the EuroCup standings. We didn't come out with enough fire and they came out hot and gunning. \[Head coach\] Freddy \[Fauthoux\] got into us and pretty much told us what we needed to hear, and we came out and played with more energy."

"We need to have a good month. We need to have a good win coming up here against Cluj."

**This is your first EuroCup season. What are your thoughts on the competition, the opponents and the traveling?** 

"Oh, man, I love it. I love playing as many games as I can and I've got a lot of friends from my childhood or even my college days that play on opposing teams. So it's been fun to see them and play against a bunch of good competition and see some nice places at the same time."

**Speaking of nice places, you are playing in Bourg-en-Bresse. The club made it to the EuroCup Finals and the city is fully devoted to basketball. How is life in Bourg? How much do they like basketball?**

"It's a quaint little town. But like you said, they really get behind us and love their team. And I like that: it's a small town, but they are centered around basketball. If you see our young team players, they are in the gym damn near as much as us, just working out. And I think that's the best, having people with similar work ethics. When you can just be in the gym all day, that's good."

**Your former college teammate Jonah Mathews plays for Besiktas in the other group. Two of your former college teammates, Chimezie Metu and Moses Wright, are in the EuroLeague.** 

"I talk to all those guys all the time still. It is just nice. Hopefully, I can play against Jonah. Moses is out for now, but hopefully, Chimezie keeps having a good season. Jared Harper is from the same city as me. I played against him in high school and watched my college when he was at Auburn. I have a teammate that I played with and we are about to play this week, Orelik on Cluj. It is kind of endless. I can kind of list off a bunch of names here, but there's a bunch."

Best of Jordan Usher, Rounds 1-10

**You have been playing much better in the last month, posting better numbers. Did you need some sort of adjustment to a new club and competition?** 

"I think it was just kind of how Freddy could use me the best and how he can see the best on the court. And now that he's kind of honed in on that, I feel like we are both kind of gelling together and I'm gelling with the team, being able to get to my spots, and they know when I need the ball and how I can help the defense. Big differences."

**You played in Australia last season, in Perth, far away from everywhere, basically. How was the experience?** 

"Yes, it was amazing. It is a bit of a different league, but it was really fun. I got to be with my guy Alex Sarr a lot of the time during the year. Bryce Cotton is a legendary player over there, so we had a fun time. It's a lot warmer because it's summertime in Australia, but it was a good season and it was fun. As for the travel, every flight was more than four hours but it was fun. When it's 90 degrees outside \[32.2 Celsius\] and you are at the beach, it's all good." 

**You have faced all the opponents in your group. Did anybody stand out?** 

"Every team has their moments. Every team has their good players. Obviously, Valencia has just been a powerhouse so far this year, and we hope that we can get them back later in the year. But I have been happy with us as a team evolving throughout the year as well."

"Hugo Benitez is a kind of a guy that you look forward to when he comes in the game, and you kind of feel secure at this point."

**I wanted to ask you about Hugo Benitez, a great player with tremendous upside. How is it to play with him?** 

"He is great. He is really good at running our team. He is kind of like a coach on the court, him and our coach have a really good relationship, and he is a kind of a guy that you look forward to when he comes in the game, and you kind of feel secure at this point. He runs the offense well. He plays defense. He does his part. Whether he scores 10 points or 0 points, we get good production from him."

**Like you said, you will play Cluj next week and will play in front of 10,000 fans. How much are you looking forward to that?** 

"I'm really excited. One, to see Orelik again, but also to go over there and get a win. We have been a pretty good team on the road occasionally so yes, we are excited to go in there and try to get one. They really turned it around. We learned that we need to slow down Zavier Simpson the best that we can and just play team basketball. They are a good team that scores a lot. We just need to get out there and get a win."

**What would make it a good season for Bourg and for you, personally?** 

"I just want us to get pretty much the same as last year, except for a different result. I want us to win the EuroCup championship or at least make the finals and just keep chipping away, and hopefully, everyone benefits from that. Personally, I want to keep improving my game throughout the year. I think I'm a player that continues to progress throughout the year. I'd rather be that way than a guy that starts hot and fizzles out. I think you will see more from me and I will continue to get better."

The latest from JL Bourg

Javier Gancedo chatted with Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse forward Jordan Usher for this week's EuroCup interview

Javier Gancedo reveals which players, both newly on his radar and longtime aces, he thinks you should consider for the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge.

Fantasy tips, Round 11: newcomers and longtime keepers

Here comes Round 11 in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge and the competition is getting closer and closer to its most exciting stages. The same could be said about the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge, as the game is offering a lot of opportunities for managers. There are a lot of players with great potential in the upcoming weeks. Here are five of my top recommendations ahead of this round. 

[Mfiondu Kabengele, Umana Reyer Venice (15.2 credits) ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/)

Not only Kabengele is the leading rebounder in the 2024-25 EuroCup, but he is also contributing in many aspects of the game. Kabengele has averaged 16.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists for a PIR of 25.0 over his last three games - and has three straight double-doubles and six on the season. If you need a consistent star, you won't get any better than him. 

[Devin Robinson, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (14.6 credits) ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/)

Robinson has been a human highlight reel, igniting Cedevita fans with his huge dunks and blocked shots. He has been playing great lately, too, as Robinson has averaged 17.7 points on 20-of-29 two-point shooting and 2.7 steals for a PIR of 22.7. He had season-highs of 25 points and a PIR of 28 against Cluj last week. Buy him now! 

Mfiondu Kabengele, Devin Robinson, Jaizec Lottie, Sharife Cooper and Hugo Benitez are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Round 11

[Jaizec Lottie, Veolia Towers Hamburg (9.1 credits) ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaizec-lottie/013309/)

A hidden gem in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge, Lottie has been delivering all season (12.1 ppg.) and is playing some of his best basketball right now. In Round 10 against Bourg, Lottie had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals for a PIR of 20. At less than 10.0 credits, Lottie could be your X-factor in Round 11. 

[Hugo Benitez, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (8.4 credits) ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/hugo-benitez/010449/)

I have always liked Benitez because of his insane assist-to-turnover ratio (3.07). He's also been scoring a lot lately, which makes him even more interesting. Benitez had 11 points against Valencia and 17 against Hamburg. In his last two games, his PIR average has been 19.0 and it looks like Benitez is just getting started. 

[Sharife Cooper, Aris Midea Thessaloniki (12.1 credits) ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sharife-cooper/013500/)

Vassilis Toliopoulos is injured, which is terrible news for Aris. Cooper has stepped up in his absence, averaging 17.0 points on 75.0% two-point shooting and 4.0 assists for a PIR of 15.0. He will be Aris's main point guard for the foreseeable future, so expect him to improve on those numbers in the short run. 

Several key matchups between direct rivals highlight Round 11 of the BKT EuroCup, which could go a long way toward deciding progress to the playoffs. Here’s your guide to the action.

At a glance: What to expect from Round 11

[Trefl Sopot vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/trefl-sopot-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2024/101/)

Trefl (0-10) will attempt to end its long wait for a first victory by overcoming Group A’s ninth-placed team, Trento (3-7), which faces a must-win game in its hopes of pushing for the playoffs. The Italian team has not won on the road all season and is on a three-game losing streak, but triumphed 84-76 when the teams met in October behind 20 points from [Jordan Ford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-ford/013270/). This could be a low-scoring game between two teams who struggle offensively, especially from long-range as they’re respectively ranked next-to-last and last in three-point conversion rate (28.8% vs. 28.2%). Trefl will try to control the game in the paint through big man [Geoffrey Groselle](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/geoffrey-groselle/013296/), who had 11 points and 9 rebounds in last week’s loss to Ulm.

[Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/veolia-towers-hamburg-valencia-basket/U2024/110/)

It’s bottom against top in Group B, with Hamburg (2-8) hoping to become the first team this season to inflict defeat upon rampant Valencia (9-0), which also leads the competition in scoring with 96.8 points per game. The Spanish side enjoyed a 27-point winning margin when the teams met earlier this season, so Hamburg knows it has to slow down the visiting playmakers after allowing 28 assists in that game – including 11 from rising star [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/). The German team’s resistance on that occasion was led by a season-high 19 points from guard [Brae Ivey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brae-ivey/013308/), who is now targeting a return to form from long-range after only making 2 of his 9 three-point attempts in the last two games.

[Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/turk-telekom-ankara-aris-midea-thessaloniki/U2024/107/)

Turk Telekom (5-5) will attempt to protect its place in the all-important top six by overcoming struggling Aris (2-8). The Turkish team will look to build more momentum after last week’s crucial high-scoring win at Lietkabelis, powered by an MVP of the round performance from forward [Braian Angola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/braian-angola/010465/). Turk Telekom’s more usual blueprint for success is the defense-first victory it took over Aris earlier this season, winning in Greece 63-68 after restricting the dangerous [Vassilis Toliopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/vassilis-toliopoulos/004292/) to a season-low 8 points. Aris has the worst offensive production in the league, averaging just 74.5 points per game, so it needs its best performance of the season to snap a four-game losing streak and reignite its playoff hopes.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Brown vs. Nolley

[Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2024/104/)

A key battle between direct Group A rivals will see Wolves (5-5) seek a return to winning ways with a visit from Hapoel (6-4). The Lithuanian team has lost its way with two straight defeats and faces a Tel Aviv team searching for consistency after failing to win consecutive games since October. The visitors will be missing the injured [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/), but are expected to have star center [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) back. Meanwhile, backcourt signing [Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/), who powered last week’s comfortable victory over Joventut by pouring in 20 points, is rounding into form. Wolves, which must win by 6 to take the head-to-head advantage, will answer him with key guard [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/), who averages more than 30 minutes per game and netted 23 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting in last week’s loss at Bahcesehir.

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/u-bt-cluj-napoca-cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2024/109/)

Another of this week’s many crucial battles in the playoff race sees Group B’s fifth welcome third as Cluj (5-5) takes on Bourg (6-4). Bourg won 84-73 when the teams met in October, so the Romanian team needs a victory of 12 points or more to wrestle back the head-to-head advantage. There should be plenty of points between the second and third highest-scoring teams in the EuroCup, respectively averaging 88.8 and 86.3 points. Expect key roles for Cluj playmaker [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/), who tops the competition in assists with 6.9 per night, and Bourg’s young guard [Hugo Benitez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/hugo-benitez/010449/), who last week had his best game of the season with 17 points, 4 assists and 3 steals to help down Hamburg.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Simpson vs. Benitez

[Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul-bahcesehir-college-istanbul/U2024/103/)

An Istanbul derby with plenty of significance in the race for postseason qualification sees Besiktas (6-4) welcome Group A leader Bahcesehir (9-1). The visitors have strung together a seven-game winning streak,  recently beating Wolves last week behind 19 points from all-around threat [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/), and boast the best defense in the competition with just 71.9 points per game allowed. But Besiktas is also confident after winning three of its last four and has the EuroCup’s highest three-point shooting conversion rate (39.9%), partly thanks to [Dustin Sleva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dustin-sleva/011927/) shooting an impressive 59.1% from deep including 3-of-4 in last week’s thrilling win over Buducnost. Bahcesehir won 87-66 when the teams met in October – expect this one to be much closer.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Sleva vs Bouteille

[Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2024/106/)

Hapoel Jerusalem (7-3) will look to maintain second place in Group B by overcoming a Lietkabelis team (2-7) desperate to relaunch its playoff push. Jerusalem is aiming to bounce straight back from last week’s loss at Valencia and will hope that forward [Chris Johnson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-johnson/013277/) repeats his outstanding performance from that game (15 points, 12 rebounds). Lietkabelis has lost three in a row due to a leaky defense which has allowed 100, 100 and 98 points in those games, so improvement is needed against league-leading scorer [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) (22.3 points per game). Offensively, the Lithuanian team will look for guard [Martynas Varnas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/martynas-varnas/005521/) to continue the form which has seen him average 14 points over the last four games.

[Umana Reyer Venice vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/umana-reyer-venice-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2024/108/)

Another vital showdown in Group B will see in-form Reyer (5-5) seek the 6-point victory it needs to overtake Cedevita (6-4) in the standings. Cedevita edged the Round 2 meeting between the teams, 87-82, thanks to 17 points and 9 rebounds from [Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/) – who last week delivered his best performance of the season with 25 points to help overcome Cluj. Reyer has revitalized its challenge by rolling to three straight victories, partly thanks to the return from injury of [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/). The Canadian guard netted 19 points on 7-of-11 two-point shooting in last week’s win over Aris, and his ability to penetrate the paint will be a key factor in this crucial encounter.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Ennis vs. Jones

[Joventut Badalona vs. ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/joventut-badalona-ratiopharm-ulm/U2024/105/)

Struggling Joventut (3-7) will look to recover lost ground on the top six by overcoming an Ulm team (6-4) battling to at least maintain a share of third place in Group A. The Spanish team is coming off a pair of bad road losses, still unable to find a way of supporting the consistent excellence of big man [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/), and would benefit from more hustle after forcing a league-low 9.6 turnovers per game. Ulm is back in the groove after two straight wins, and teenage guard [Ben Saraf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ben-saraf/011437/) returned to form last week by netting 15 points in the home victory over Trefl. Joventut will also be wary of [Nelson Weidemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nelson-weidemann/006245/), who netted 17 points when the German team narrowly won in Round 2, 87-83.

[Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/dreamland-gran-canaria-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2024/102/)

The round concludes with Group A’s second-placed Gran Canaria (8-2) attempting to take a step closer to playoff qualification by overcoming visiting Buducnost (4-6). Gran Canaria has won three games straight and boasts an all-time 10-1 record against the Montenegrin team, which has never won this matchup on the road. To change that, Buducnost needs another strong display from big man [Kenan Kamenjas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenan-kamenjas/008325/), who posted a career-high 21 points in last week’s narrow loss to Besiktas. Gran Canaria needed overtime to prevail when the teams met in October and will hope that [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) – who has netted 10 triples in the last three games – can help provide a more comfortable victory this time around.

Round 11 Head-to-Head: Conditt vs. Kamenjas

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2024-12-11T20:00:00.000Z)

Joventut Badalona v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-12-11T19:30:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-12-11T19:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2024-12-11T18:30:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2024-12-11T17:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2024-12-11T16:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Valencia Basket (2024-12-10T18:30:00.000Z)

Trefl Sopot v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2024-12-10T18:00:00.000Z)

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-12-11T16:30:00.000Z)

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2024-12-11T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv announced on Monday morning that star guard Patrick Beverley will miss time with a small tear in his quadriceps muscle.

Patrick Beverley sidelined with quadriceps tear

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25) announced on Monday morning that star guard [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) will miss time with a small tear in his quadriceps muscle. Beverley, 36, suffered the injury in the Tel Aviv derby against [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2024-25) in the Israel Basketball Super League. He was taken for an MRI after which the tear was diagnosed. Beverley will be reevaluated in two weeks.

The 2012 EuroCup MVP, Beverley returned to the competition over the summer after 12 season in the NBA. In 10 EuroCup games with Hapoel, Beverley has averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals for a PIR of 17.7. He ranks among the competition leaders in [assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances) (fifth), [steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals) (tied for sixth), [defensive rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=defensiveRebounds) (4.2, ninth), [free throw accuracy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=freeThrowsPercent) (95.5%, ninth) and [PIR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=valuation) (10th).

The Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv star will be reevaluated in two weeks.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-12-18T18:00:00.000Z)

Stats review: Looking at which teams have dominated in first quarters

Valencia Basket notched the most important win of Round 10 when it defeated Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to get 2.5 games clear of them atop Group B.  To start the game, Valencia jumped out to a 33-26 first-quarter lead before building on their early success with a 26-12 second-quarter effort.

This is not the first time Valencia has blitzed a team out of the gate this season; it is averaging a league-best 1.23 points per possession in the first 5 minutes of games as it makes a concerted effort to test its opponents’ pick-and-roll coverages, move the ball around the perimeter, and look for shots along the three-point line in the opening minutes.  For reference, Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul leads all teams scoring 1.06 points per possession overall on the year.  Valencia had nine players make three-pointers in their Round 10 win while still making  47% of 38 attempts from beyond the arc.

As good as Valencia has been in the opening minutes this season, it ranks only second in first-quarter efficiency.  No team in the EuroCup has played as well offensively before the first break as Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, which is averaging 1.18 points per possession in first quarters this season.  While some of that success early in games can be traced to some timely shooting from Fletcher Magee and Juwan Morgan, the key to those fast starts has been Rasheed Sulaimon.  Leading the EuroCup by a wide margin in first-quarter scoring, averaging a blistering 1.50 points per possession early in games, the 30-year-old guard has hit the ground running most nights this season burning defenses playing both on and off the ball.

On the other end of the spectrum, Dreamland Gran Canaria has held opposing teams to just 0.84 points per possession in first quarters this season; that’s lower than the worst mark a team has posted in a season since the EuroCup moved to its current format. Coach Jaka Lakovic’s team has been aggressive in guarding pick-and-rolls without paying the price from the perimeter as the way the team has set the tone defensively to start games has kept it in step with Bahcesehir atop Group A. 

Among other superlatives, U-BT Cluj-Napoca has the best first-quarter point differential ranking in the top four in both offensive and defensive efficiency with Valencia and Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul not far behind above the +30 mark. 

Bahcesehir has been this season’s most effective offensive team in the second and fourth quarters while Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius narrowly beat out several teams to rank as the EuroCup’s top offense coming out of halftime.  One separator Valencia and Bahcesehir have found through the first part of the season has been their defense coming out of the half.  With both teams allowing less than 0.78 points per possession, they have consistently disrupted the rhythm of opposing offenses to start second halves.

Aris Midea Thessaloniki and Cosea JL Bourg-En-Bresse came out ahead of a cluster of teams to rank as the best second-and-fourth-quarter defensive units, respectively.

With a pretty clear hierarchy beginning to form in the standings, it is worth noting that there is no shortage of teams who excel consistently in certain moments or show more potential than their current placement suggests at some junctures.

The teams that excel consistently early in the games stand out in the standings, too

[DeVante' Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devante-jones/013260/) experienced a European debut that very few basketball players do. The [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/lju/) guard was part of almost a rock-star show that included games in Las Vegas and meeting Kylian Mbappe. And it was all because of Victor Wembanyama.

Jones’s connection with the current NBA sensation goes back to their mutual trainer, Tim Martin. Jones and Wembanyama worked out at the same gym in the summer of 2022 in Dallas.

“I was like, is that the guy everybody's raving about? So I walked over and had a talk with him and we hit it off right away,” Jones remembered.

And when Jones’s agent told him of the opportunity to play with Wembanyama at Metropolitans 92, he jumped at it.

“The first day I got the Paris I went over to Victor and it was like we've been together all the time, our whole lives. He was one of the best teammates I ever played with, just very unselfish,” said Jones.

The 2022-23 season was a great ride with Metropolitans. In October 2022, the team flew to Las Vegas to play against the G League Unite team in two exhibition games. It was a chance for the world to see Wembanyama go up against the player most people thought had the best chance to get picked number one in the 2023 NBA Draft over him – Scoot Henderson. And Wembanyama didn’t disappoint with games of 37 and 36 points.

“It was amazing. The stars in Vegas: LeBron \[James\], Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, etc. They came just to support Victor. But just being able to see guys that you look up to or you watch every day, it was kind of amazing,” Jones said.

“I think being in Vegas, that's when Victor really solidified himself being the number one pick… He was just doing some crazy things that you were just not used to seeing. And he had the whole crowd cheering his name and things like that. So it was great. Just having the opportunity to play in front of LeBron James. Just having all that media attention. Staying in a great hotel. Just being able to enjoy Vegas, just being out there for a week, really just enjoying it.”

The Wemby Show also gave Jones a chance to meet some of the biggest stars in the world. There was an NBA Draft Lottery watch party held at the Nike facility in Paris and world football stars like Mbappe and Neymar were there – in addition to Jones.

“Victor did a great job just making us feel famous as well,” he said.

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The French League season ended with Metropolitans losing to AS Monaco in the finals, falling 3-0 to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team. That didn’t go over well with Wembanyama.

“Man, he cried so much. He was just so hurt,” Jones said. “After we lost that last game, we got in a circle and Victor says: I will never be swept again. And just hearing that come from somebody that young, just the competitiveness he had, and the maturity he showed throughout the whole season, that's something you don't really see.”

The two parted ways after the season. Wembanyama, of course, went on to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and won the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year award for an outstanding first season with the San Antonio Spurs.

Jones left Metropolitans but stayed in France, moving to Le Mans. He ranked second in the league in scoring with 15.9 points per game, taking on a different role while also dishing out 5.2 assists per game – the fifth-best average in the French top flight.

“I didn't play with as much talent and in order for us to get some wins and compete, I had to take more of that scoring role. Also, while being a playmaker as well,” Jones said. “When it comes to me, I can adjust and adapt to any situation. If I need to score, I score. If I need to be able to make reads, make passes, I do that as well.”

Le Mans ended up taking 11th place in the league and missing the playoffs.

This season, Jones is debuting in the BKT EuroCup with Cedevita, which poses him a different challenge since he is playing in a different league and also facing teams from throughout Europe.

"What stands out is the pace of the game. It's very special,” he commented. “Valencia is very fast. They get the ball out quick. They shoot the ball within five seconds sometimes of the shot clock. Each game is different, though. Every team brings something different. And it's fun because you just never know who you're going to play against.”

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Looking back, Jones enjoys talking about that first year in France with Wembanyama. There are a lot of things he remembers of the Frenchman’s star talent: how he worked out in the weight room with no socks or shoes to help strengthen his feet; his preparation, including getting to practice early to mentally get himself together; the way he carried himself as the first to be in the gym and the last to leave; seeing him just to hate losing; having to play him one-on-one over and over again.

“It's not normal. So just seeing that, such a competitive nature at his age is like, I like this. So it started rubbing off on me and the whole team. So, I learned a lot from Victor.”

It’s fair to say Jones enjoyed his wild, season-long ride with Victor Wembanyama.

The EuroCup rookie enjoyed a memorable season playing alongside the current San Antonio Spurs superstar

DeVante' Jones and his wild European debut with Victor Wembanyama 

Look back at all the action in Round 10 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Round 10

Look back at all the action from Round 10 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Dimitris Itoudis's coaching and the play of Marcus Bingham and Yam Madar alongside guards Patrick Beverley and Antonio Beverley were all key as Hapoel Tel Aviv BC roared past Joventut Badalona 95-70 on Wednesday night at Samakov Arena in Bulgaria. 

Coach Itoudis has already made an impact at Hapoel Tel Aviv

It’s been a busy few weeks for [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) since [Dimitris Itoudis was appointed as head coach](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-tel-aviv-appoints-dimitris-itoudis-two-time-euroleague-champ/). Soon after, the team acquired big man [Marcus Bingham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-bingham/013506/), then signed guard [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/) and finally announced that star center [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) was returning to the team.

Itoudis's coaching and the play of Bingham and Madar alongside guards [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) and [Antonio Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/) were all key as [Hapoel roared past Joventut Badalona 95-70](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-overpowers-joventut-95-70/) on Wednesday night at Samakov Arena in Bulgaria. It was Itoudis's – and Bingham's – second game and in their first, the team faltered late to lose [last week against ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ulm-rallies-past-hapoel-80-81-on-sarafs-game-winner/). They learned a lesson from that and, with the help of Madar, corrected it.

"I think we were a much better team than the first game we played," Itoudis said in the post-game press conference. "We tried to create problems for ourselves again in the third quarter when we had a negative run. I said to the team at that moment that they need to help me not to use the timeout like we did against Ulm and then I didn't have a timeout in the end in a clutch moment. And then Yam Madar’s steal and three pointer at that moment helped the team get over this negative run. And we went back to us in a smooth way and the game plan was there."

Hapoel led by as many as 20 early in the third quarter before Joventut heated up behind [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) and went on a 0-11 run. That’s when Madar stood tall with a three-pointer and an assist to [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/) to kill the Joventut momentum. A minute later, he knocked down 2 free throws, scored a fast-break layup thanks to a Bingham rebound and outlet pass and then stripped [Keye van der Vuurst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/keye-van-der-vuurst/013286/) for a layup and a 69-52 lead. Joventut would never challenge again.

Yam Madar's big third quarter against Joventut

Madar was just one of the players Itoudis praised after the game: "We are happy for AB \[Blakeney\], that the calls were for him. He managed to find his positions and make some shots for himself. Pat is playing very serious. He leads the team. Yam brought a different dimension to the game… Bingham, it looks like he’s been playing with the team a long period. His adjustment has been quick."

Just as quickly as he heaped praise, Itoudis started to get excited about what this team could become.

"We are trying to build on this and see what works good. For us, the biggest enemy is time. We don't have that much time between the games that the results matter to put some new things. We added a lot of things and also players are very concentrated, it’s not easy for them to learn all things…" he noted, though the clear understanding is that when the players all learn the new system – and Motley is back in uniform – Hapoel’s potential is vast.

"We have a hell of a coach," said Beverley after the game. "He's been getting us prepared since he's got here and he’s very detailed, he’s all about the small things, all about the right things. Our biggest thing was to come in and try to rebound, you know, try to win the rebound battle and we did that and that led to early offense."

Indeed, Hapoel outrebounded Joventut 33-30 despite the fact that both of its centers, [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) and Bingham, fouled out in a combined 26 minutes. It was a team effort as all 12 Hapoel players grabbed at least 1 rebound and no one had more than 4.

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Hapoel played most of the game with three-guard lineups and that speed and versatility were too much for Joventut. Blakeney led all scorers with 20 points; Beverley stood tall with 15 points and 6 assists; Madar contributed 9 points, 4 assists and 2 steals and [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/) was good for 8 points, 6 assists and 2 steals.

The team’s next two games are against the teams neck and neck with it [in the standings](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/standings/), [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/wol/) and [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/). If Hapoel continues to take on more of Itoudis's teachings and gets stronger with Motley back, the rest of Group A had best be prepared.

Game News

The 25-point victory over Joventut shined a light on plenty of positives 

Coach Itoudis has already made an impact at Hapoel

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Joventut Badalona (2024-12-04T17:45:00.000Z)