Aris BC recorded its first win in Group B by downing Lietkabelis Panevezys 74-92 at Kalnapilio Arena in Round 3 on Tuesday. 


Vassilis Toliopoulos leads Aris past Lietkabelis, 74-92

Aris Midea Thessaloniki recorded its first win in Group B on Tuesday night by downing 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys 74-92 at Kalnapilio Arena in Round 3. Aris improved to 1-2 in the standings while Lietkabelis dropped to 0-3. 

Vassilis Toliopoulos paced the winners with 26 points on 6-of-8 three-pointers. Lefteris Bochoridis added 13 while Emmanouil Chatzidakis and David DeJulius each had 12 for Aris. Mantas Rubstavicius led Lietkabelis with 15 points. Marko Pecarski added 13 Georgios Kalaitzakis got 12 while Dovic Bickauskis had 10 for the hosts.

Rubstavicius got Lietkabelis going with a driving basket and Gabrielius Maldunas added a jump hook. James Banks scored twice in the paint to tie it at 4-4. Banks matched Pecarski's dunk with his third jump hook, then Oleksandr Kovliar's jumper restored an 8-6 Lietkabelis lead. Eleftherios Mantzoukas took over with a fast-break layup and Toliopoulos buried back-to-back three-pointers to make the hosts call a timeout at 10-14. Rubstavicius and Kalaitzakis stepped up to bring Lietkabelis within 16-17. Toliopoulos scored in penetration to restore a 16-19 Aris lead after 10 minutes.

Bickauskis surprised Aris's defense with a backdoor layup, then Martynas Varnas kept the hosts within 20-21. Mantzoukas and Bochoridis each struck from downtown in a 0-10 Aris run in which Rawle Alkins added a jumper and a two-handed dunk, good for a 20-31 lead. Pecarski scored in the low post before DeJulius hit back with a floater. Rubstavicius and Grantas Vasiliauskas fueled a 6-0 run that brought Lietkabelis within 28-33. Chatzidakis scored in the paint, getting help from Toliopoulos and Bochoridis to keep Aris out of trouble, 32-42, at halftime.

Game News

Pecarski and Trey Woodbury traded baskets soon after the break. Rubstavicius and Pecarski kept pacing Lietkabelis but Aris started to find easy baskets in the paint, with Banks and Joshua Roberts keeping the guests fully in charge, 40-49. Bochoridis downed a six-meter jumper and found Chatzidakis for a layup. De Julius added a fast-break basket and Woodbury's second-chance layup made Lietkabelis stop the game at 45-57. Toliopoulos buried an off-balance floater in the lane and added a three-pointer that broke the game open, 48-64. Bochoridis took over with a layup-plus-foul, then Kalaitzakis and Bickauskis brought Lietkabelis a bit closer, 55-70, after 30 minutes.

Chatzidakis stepped up with a put-back layup early in the fourth quarter and a red-hot Toliopoulos sank his fifth triple in as many attempts, good for a 55-75 Aris lead. Vasiliauskas followed a fadeaway jumper with a big dunk in traffic to give Lietkabelis hope, 61-75, with 8 minutes left. Toliopoulos struck from beyond the arc and Chatzidakis scored again to seal the outcome, 65-80. Lietkabelis could not come back in the final 4 minutes, as Aris kept full control of the game until the final buzzer.

The Greek side notched its first win of the season

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2024-10-08T16:00:00.000Z)

Devin Robinson has been key in helping KK Cedevita Olimpija get off to a flying start in this year's EuroCup, which have come after two tough years for the club.

Devin Robinson looking to bring Cedevita Olimpija back where they belong in the EuroCup

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana had a tough time in last year's BKT EuroCup. The team’s first victory of the season came at the end of January, meaning it had gone on a 15-game losing streak. After finally breaking that unwanted streak on the road in Hamburg, two other defeats against the London Lions and Paris Basketball concluded a thoroughly disappointing season.

The Slovenian powerhouse knew it couldn't fail on an ambitious but important mission: finding the right assets in the summer market to reshape a winning mentality for the Dragons.

First and foremost, Cedevita brought in a former EuroCup champion as head coach in Zvezdan Mitrovic, then went about bringing in several new faces who could make a difference. Adding strength to solid players like DJ Stewart and Jaka Blazic, Brynton Lemar and Devante Jones joined the team. Somebody could even fly: his name is Devin Robinson.

Read more about Devin Robinson and his impact at Cedevita [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/1724375/devin-robinson-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana-bkt-eurocup-2024-2025/).

The American forward has been huge in helping the Slovenian team already get better results than last year

Turk Telekom Ankara v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-10-08T16:30:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has managed to turn things around. After a 0-15 start to the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup season, Cedevita won its first two games this season and is one of four undefeated teams in Group A. A balanced offense has allowed Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic's team to be strong right away: six players are averaging double digits in scoring so far. One of them is point guard Aleksej Nikolic

Aleksej Nikolic, Cedevita: 'Consistency is the key to good results'

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has managed to turn things around. After a 0-15 start to the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup season, Cedevita won its first two games this season and is one of four undefeated teams in Group A. A balanced offense has allowed Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic's team to be strong right away: six players are averaging double digits in scoring so far.

One of them is point guard Aleksej Nikolic, who left Slovenia as a teenager and played in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Germany, Serbia, Italy, France and Spain before returning to his home country. Nikolic has averaged 13.0 points on 54.5% three-point shooting, 2.5 assists and a PIR of 14.0 so far this season. Nikolic gave professional and personal reasons for playing for Cedevita this season, as he told Javier Gancedo of [EuroCupBasketball.com](http://EuroCupBasketball.com) in this interview.

"What they presented me and how we talked about what the team is going to look like and what they are trying to accomplish, for me, it made sense. I liked it. So from a basketball standpoint, that was a yes," Nikolic said. "And another thing is, of course, now being a father, having a family coming home can make a lot of stuff a little bit easier."

**Hello, Aleksej. First things first, Cedevita Olimpija is 2-0 this season after a start 0-15 last season. How important was a good start to get that thought out of the way?** 

"To be really honest, we tried not to compare too much what was happening last season with what is going on now. In many ways, it is a new team, a completely different system, and how we play kind of separates both stories. But nevertheless, you want to start well regardless of what was going on before. These are crucial wins for us, to let us know that we are doing something good, that we are maybe on the right path. And when you win, it is a lot easier to have confidence and move on, so being 2-0 is really good for us to start."

"I believe Luka [Doncic] follows our results and he maybe watches some games."

**You had a balanced offense in both games, many players in double digits of PIR but none over 21 in any of the games. How great of a sign is that?** 

"The team is built that way. We have a lot of guys that can deliver good performances at any time of the game. It doesn't really necessarily have to be anybody starting well, or even the other way around: someone can start well and have a tough time after that. If someone starts slow and then in the end he is the one to pull us, it is the team that matters. By having this kind of bench depth, it is kind of easier that in any game, anyone can have a good night or a good game."

**You were trusted with the game-cliching free throws at the end of the game against Reyer. You have always been terrific at that. What does it take to be an elite free throw shooter?** 

"I believe free throws is repetition, focus and just working on it, trying to imagine situations where you have to score important free throws. We have to try to do it in practice because, in the game, it's a whole different story. But like I said, you can try to make the environment in practice for that kind of, let's say, pressure to simulate what it can be like in the game."

**It feels like yesterday when we saw you with Spars in the ANGT, but you will turn 30 next season and just became a father. How does all that experience impact your game?** 

"Oh, a whole lot. I'd like to think that I have some sort of experience because of how many leagues and countries I have been around throughout my career so far: France, Spain, Italy, Germany, ABA League... everywhere! I try to pick up different things that I can learn and adapt to any kind of basketball-style gameplay. All of that together, as I like to say, can benefit me to recognize situations that maybe I have been there before and to move through them. Let's say it is easier to recognize them, easier to read them. And of course, like you said, being a father creates a whole new perspective in my life. I guess it gives me another motivation to really try to be better every day in every aspect of my life."

Aleksej Nikolic averages 13.0 points and 2.4 assists for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana so far this season.

Nikolic leads Cedevita to 2-0 start in Group B

**You are also back in Slovenia for the first time since you were a teenager. Was it one of the main factors to join Cedevita Olimpija?** 

"I mean, there are two things I'd like to say about my decision \[to join the club\]. What they presented me and how we talked about what the team is going to look like and what they are trying to accomplish, for me, it made sense. I liked it. So from a basketball standpoint, that was a yes. And another thing is, of course, now being a father, having a family coming home can make a lot of stuff a little bit easier. So those two factors were the deciders, honestly. And I have to say, I am so far satisfied with my decision."

**You played with Jaka Blazic in the Slovenian national team for many years. How great is it to have him as a mentor and leader in Cedevita Olimpija?** 

"The idea is great, he has a lot of experience. First of all, just being in this club, understanding the environment, ascending the situation. When I decided to come to \[Cedevita\] Olimpija, I first called him to let him know, and he was happy about it. We talked about everything a little bit, so having him around is just to keep reminding us where we play and who we are on the court. Like you said, he has a lot of experience and I like to believe he can recognize all situations. He is ready in any moment, and prepared, for anything that comes our way. And as a captain, he leads us."

**Speaking of the Slovenian national team, does Luka Doncic follow you guys and Cedevita Olimpija? He and his father played for Olimpija in the past, after all...**

"I believe Luka follows our results and he maybe watches some games. I know that, as a kid, he was coming to watch the games when Olimpija was still in the EuroLeague, this was like 10-12 years ago or even more, if I'm not mistaken. But I know he is, let's say, a fan or a follower of the club. I think he does follow us a little bit."

"I like to think that I follow basketball a lot. Let's say I am a basketball junkie."

**You love basketball and everything about it. How much do you like to talk about basketball and follow competitions in your time off? Do you remember any teammate who loved to talk about basketball at all times?** 

"Oh yeah, I like to think that I follow basketball a lot. Let's say I am a basketball junkie. I like to know stuff. I follow the NBA, the EuroLeague and I try to follow as many leagues as I can. I try to pick up some stuff throughout the games, maybe something innovative I can see on the court. For that, I am really passionate and my wife is the same. She follows basketball a lot, not as freakishly as me. A little less than that, of course, but we watch EuroLeague together almost every time when we can. As for teammates, I would have to say the biggest ones were Nikos Zisis and Nicolo Melli back from the Bamberg days. I have to say those two guys. So I found victims, let's say, to really talk about everything. But let's say these two are the first ones that came to mind, Nikos and Nicolo. We would watch sometimes games together back in the day."

**Hmm... Amedeo Della Valle, maybe?** 

"Oh, of course, Amedeo. He watches a lot of basketball, too. He loves it. I give him an honorable mention."

**Your next game is against Turk Telekom Ankara, which is also 2-0 so far. How much are you looking forward to this game at this time of the season, knowing that both teams are undefeated?**

"I think we can expect a good game, a hard game, especially them playing at home. They are gonna feel very confident, for sure. And like you said, they won two games, close games, so from that standpoint, we can suggest that they know how to win this kind of game. They have enough experience, it's going to be really tough. We will have to prepare really well. Tactically speaking, they can be really sharp with their head coach \[Erdem Can\]." 

**Finally, you are off to a good start. What does Cedevita Olimpija need to do to go to the playoffs and then see what happens?**

"We skipped most of the season now, it's too early to think about the playoffs. But I think for any team, I believe that consistency is the key to good results, so in order for us to achieve this, we are going to have to stay consistent with our playing level. That doesn't necessarily mean that we will win every game. You cannot guarantee that, but you can have consistency and if we have that, you can expect good results. This is what we will try to aim for, and then, like you said, we will see what happens at the end of the season." 

More Cedevita Olimpija News

The Cedevita playmaker spoke in an exclusive interview with Javier Gancedo

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of the BKT EuroCup Round 3, and who might be missing in action.

Round 3: Pre-game quotes and injury reports

## Tuesday, October 8

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki (18:00 CEST)

**Ioannis Kastritis, Aris Midea Thessaloniki head coach**

"We have a very demanding mission, facing Lietkabelis on the road. Both teams are looking for their first win in the competition and I believe it’s going to be a very tough game. We need to be very focused and decisive in both ends, controlling the tempo of the game, a factor that will be crucial for the final result."

**Lefteris Bochoridis, Aris Midea Thessaloniki guard**

"We are looking for our first win in the EuroCup and we have a difficult game ahead. Lietkabelis has 0-2 like us, but it is a very good team. In order to get the win, we have to be very concentrated, avoid turnovers and be much more effective in our offense. If we do those things in the biggest part of the game, we can get our first victory for this season."

### Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius vs. ratiopharm Ulm (18:00 CEST)

**Alessandro Magro, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius head coach:**

"It will be a very tough game. Ulm is a team that has won all five games from the start of the season in both the domestic league and the BKT EuroCup. This will be our second home game, and we’ve elevated our level of play in recent games. Even in our last game against Hapoel, we did a lot of good things throughout the game. We are confident that we have the will to try to have the first win, especially in front of our fans here in Vilnius."

**Matas Jogela, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius forward:**

"The Ulm team is very dangerous. They have a lot of good shooters and share the ball well in possession. We expect a very competitive game, but we need to focus on ourselves first. We’ve conceded too many points in the last few games, and that’s the main issue we need to fix. So, our big focus should be on defense. After the victory in the national league, we will try to carry that positive energy into this game."

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (18:30 CEST)

**Djordje Adzic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana assistant coach:**

"Turk Telekom is a team built to achieve the highest goals in the EuroCup. Two seasons ago, they reached the final of the competition, and this season, they also have big ambitions, being considered favorites to take first place in our group. Tuesday's game will be specific for both teams; after two games, both teams have two wins, and both have one important player injured in their rotation - Brynton Lemar for us, and Vasilis Charalampopoulos for the Turkish team, who also got injured in the previous round of the EuroCup. Turk Telekom is a good team with good players, especially in guard positions. Our opponents are dangerous on both sides of the court, and our task is to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise in the game."

**Bine Prepelic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana forward:**

"Both teams have started the new EuroCup season with two wins in their first two games. We know that Tuesday's away game will be difficult in a hall with loud fans. Turk Telekom plays extremely aggressively both on offense and defense. We have an evening practice in Ankara to prepare thoroughly, but I believe that with team play and the style of play we’ve shown in the opening games of the EuroCup season, we can hope for a good outcome. We’ve started the EuroCup season excellently, just as we quietly hoped. With two wins, we’ve already improved on last season’s result, but that doesn’t satisfy us. We need to maintain this rhythm and continue racking up more wins."

**Injury report**: head coach Zvezdan Mitrovic will be unable to attend the game due to illness; Brynton Lemar is OUT according to the club

### Besiktas Fibabank Istanbul vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (20:00 CEST)

**Stefanos Dedas, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv head coach**

"We have one more tough game ahead of us against one of the best teams in the competition that has the same players and coaching staff as they did last year. They hurt our team last year and we want to take basketball revenge and double our wins in the competition. There will be up and downs during the game but we have to show character and get this win."

**Tomer Ginat, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv forward**

"We learned last season that every game matters and the game against Besiktas is very important for us. We come with confidence after our first victory last week. We will do what we can to get the win and make our fans and community happy in this difficult time."

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (20:00 CEST)

**Neven Spahija, Umana Reyer Venice head coach**

"In our conditions, every opponent is really difficult to face. In particular, Bourg, a team that is playing great basketball, both offensively and defensively, with a lot of talent. We need to focus on ourselves and on what we are called to do. Our main focus right now is defense; we have to do much better, and the main goal of this game for us is to take a step forward in our half of the court. In \[the Italian League game in\] Trento, we lost the game due to defensive details, also caused by a lack of concentration.

**Davide Moretti, Umana Reyer Venice guard**

"It will be a tough game because they are a solid team and in good form; unfortunately, we know our situation. But we are playing at home, and we will try to leverage this factor, imposing our game and giving our all for forty minutes. We need to build on the mentality we had in Trento, without giving an inch and fighting for every possession. There are things we cannot control, like injuries, but getting through this moment will help us for the rest of the season. In any case, we go onto the court to win.

**Frederic Fauthoux, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse head coach**

"The season is underway, we're playing one match after another. It's never easy to play away and against this Reyer team. Currently, we have two victories, and we want to continue in this direction, to position ourselves well in the championship."

**Adrian Nelson, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse forward**

"Reyer is a very solid team and has been playing good so far in EuroCup and at home. As a team, we know that we have to be great on the defense. We have to stay true to ourselves, play together, and be confident."

**Injury report:**

**Xavier Munford** is OUT: following a severe contusion sustained in the game against Treviso, has suffered a cartilage injury to his right knee. The player will be reevaluated in 15 days.

**Tyler Ennis** is a game-time decision: Ennis has sustained a sprain to his right knee during the game against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. The player is working with the technical and physiotherapy staff for a swift recovery.

**Jordan Parks** is OUT: During Thursday's practice, Parks experienced a muscle strain in his right thigh. Medical examinations revealed a muscle injury in the right groin area, which will be clinically reevaluated in two weeks.

**Amedeo Tessitori** is OUT: Tessitori sustained a sprain to his right ankle during the Trento - Reyer game in the Italian League. The player is undergoing diagnostic tests and will be out vs. Bourg.

## Wednesday, October 9

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Valencia Basket (18:00 CEST)

**Mihai Silvasan, U-BT Cluj-Napoca head coach**

"Everybody knows who Valencia is in the world of basketball. They are an extremely strong team. They want to compete in the Euroleague and they have great players. They started the season strong, but we cannot wait for this game. I am glad we will finally have our full roster. I hope we will play good quality basketball and we want the victory, especially that we will play at home, with many fans cheering for us."

**Sasu Salin, U-BT Cluj-Napoca guard**

"Valencia is one of the toughest teams in the competition, one of the favorites. I have played many times against them, I know their level. They are well coached, they play fast. They take many offensive rebounds. I think we have very good chances here, at home. We will go there and enjoy the game. We have better confidence and we will play with much energy. The fans are very supportive, even though we lost the first two home games. We want to show a different type of basketball for our fans and give them wins."

**Juan Maroto, Valencia Basket head coach**

“These two home games, we have noticed the crowd. And the other game we played away in the EuroCup was in Bulgaria. So now we go to an important atmosphere, so imposing, cheering as much as we saw in their first game in Romania against Cedevita. We must keep our style, try to put our philosophy on every game, without caring too much if the opponent plays one way or another or if the atmosphere is more or less hostile. They already have a certain history in the EuroCup, they have very good Americans, especially in the point guard position with Simpson, he is a top player in assists right now and very important in scoring. Mokoka seems to me another totally essential player. Two inside players also with a certain level, the truth is that it is a team with great players, who play at a good pace and with a good style, the truth is that I liked them a lot”.

**Nate Reuvers, Valencia Basket forward**

“We definitely want to stay strong like we have been, and go there and try to get another win. We want to stay involved, playing at 100% all the time. And if you can't play at 100% anymore, the teammate that comes in has to go out there and give it their all. I think the team's style suits me. Obviously I want to keep improving, I think there's more I can give and I want to keep going.”

**Injury report:** Chris Jones out (finger), Goran Filipovic (not called up).

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (19:00 CEST)

**Yonatan Alon, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem head coach:**

"We want to maintain the positive momentum we built in the last EuroCup game and in our league debut. We feel like we're getting into a good rhythm and starting to discover who we are as a team. We'll be facing a tough opponent, one we have great respect for, and we must not underestimate any rival in the EuroCup. As always, we'll enter the game aiming to win and to bring a bit of joy to our fans during this challenging and complex time."

**Gabi Chachashvili, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem center:**

"It's important for us to keep moving in the positive direction we're on, show quality basketball and, of course, continue our winning streak. We feel that Hamburg is a better team than their results suggest, and we will need to come in very focused and play our style of basketball. It's very important for us to make our fans happy, they are, supporting us from afar – we feel their love and support all the time."

**Jerusalem injury Report**: Nimrod Levi OUT (ankle injury), Khadeen Carrington OUT (personal matters)

**Hamburg injury report**: Zsombor Maronka OUT (ankle joint injury), Keondre Kennedy OUT (temporary muscular hip injury), Niklas Wimberg OUT (recovering from a broken leg), Kur Kuath OUT (temporary knee problems)

### Trefl Sopot vs. Joventut Badalona (19:00 CEST)

**Geoffrey Groselle, Trefl Sopot center:**

They are a very talented team, all really good players. We are ready to fight, give our best effort. I can promise we are going to fight. We have to focus on the thing the coach is preaching to us every day, like 50-50 balls, playing hard, being in the right position.

**Injury report**: All of Trefl's players are available for Round 3.

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (20:00 CEST)

**Fabio Bongi, Dolomiti Energia Trento assistant coach**

“We go into the challenge against Podgorica with great confidence and charge, despite some absences due to some injuries. They have a high-level roster, full of experienced players, and an extremely competitive group of big men. In the first games of the season they have shown that they are a close-knit group, who like to share the ball and help each other a lot on defense.”

**Myles Cale, Dolomiti Energia Trento guard**

“Yesterday we started preparing for the challenge against Buducnost and we know that they will definitely come determined after two losses in the EuroCup. They have many interesting players and we have to stay focused to prepare as best we can, bringing with us the enthusiasm of the last games. I hope many fans will come to support us, because the atmosphere on Saturday, when everyone started jumping, was wonderful.”

**Injury report:** Eigirdas Zukauskas out (ankle).

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (21:00 CEST)

**Dejan Radonjic, Bahcesehir College Istanbul head coach**

"We all know how good of a team Gran Canaria is. Every year they form a solid team and they have been working with the same coach for the third straight year who is doing a great job with the team. They started the season really well too, we are expecting a very tough game. They are the best team in steals and best transition team in our league. We have to be aware to play all 40 minutes with maximum focus."

**Furkan Haltali, Bahcesehir College Istanbul center**

"This is going to be a very important and hard game for us. We know that every game matters and we will give everything to get the win. We started the season well and we aim to keep it that way, but we can not take it for granted."

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2024-10-09T19:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2024-10-09T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2024-10-09T17:00:00.000Z)

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-10-08T18:00:00.000Z)

Trefl Sopot v Joventut Badalona (2024-10-09T17:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Valencia Basket (2024-10-09T16:00:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2024-10-08T18:00:00.000Z)

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-10-08T16:00:00.000Z)

All of a sudden, we are about to start Round 3 od the BKT EuroCup Regular Season. Seven teams remain undefeated in the competition while seven others are looking for their first victory. You can still find some top-class bargains in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. Instead of going for the most expensive players, we are trying to give you options to enhance your team ahead of Round 3.

Fantasy Challenge tips, Round 3: Plenty of bargains!

All of a sudden, we are about to start Round 3 of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season. Seven teams remain undefeated in the competition while seven others are looking for their first victory. You can still find some top-class bargains in the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/). Instead of going for the most expensive players, we are trying to give you options to enhance your team ahead of Round 3. Here they are:

### Jared Harper, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (11.1 credits)

Harper has just been unstoppable so far this season and the fact that he is only 11.1 credits makes him a must-have player in all teams. He is averaging 25.0 points on 96.7% free throws, 3.5 assists, 9.0 fouls drawn and a PIR of 27.0. His shooting percentages are low (35.3% 2FG, 25.0% 3FG) so he has potential to do even better. Buy him now!

### Adrian Nelson, Cosea JL Bourg en Bresse (9.9 credits)

Nelson has surprised a lot of EuroCup fans with his overall energy and effectiveness. In two games, he has averaged 14.5 points on solid shooting (63.6% 2FG, 44.4% 3FG), 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, no turnovers (in 42 minutes!) and a PIR of 19.5. Nelson can do a little bit of everything, and that always has fantasy value. Less than 10 credits, too.

Javier Gancedo is happy to provide a few suggestions to improve your fantasy teams ahead of BKT EuroCup Round 3.

Fantasy Challenge tips, Round 3

### Noa Essengue, ratiopharm Ulm (6.5 credits)

A lot was expected from Essengue, but I would say he is doing even better so far this season. He is averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and a PIR of 18.0. He has a big role in the team and at just 6.5 credits, his price is very, very low. Essengue is owned by 23.3% of all fantasy teams. That means over 75% of managers are missing out.

### Stefan Jovic, Valencia Basket (10.3 credits)

Chris Jones is injured, so Jovic is Valencia's natural first choice at point guard. He has been around for a while, both in Valencia and in European competitions. Jovic has been solid, too, averaging 10.0 points on a whooping 87.5% two-point shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and a PIR of 15.5. Expect him to be Valencia's main floor general in Round 3.

### Marko Simonovic, Bahcesehir College Istanbul (11.0 credits)

A force of nature coming off the bench, Simonovic has posted good numbers, leading Bahcesehir to a 2-0 record. He is averaging 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 2.0 blocks and a PIR of 16.5. There are not so many good centers out there but with Simonovic and Tai Odiase, Bahcesehir has made sure to be really deep and dangerous at both ends.

Javier Gancedo is happy to provide a few suggestions to help you improve your fantasy teams.

Seven unbeaten teams will put their perfect starts on the line in Round 3 of the BKT EuroCup, and here you can find out everything you need to know about Tuesday and Wednesday’s action.

At a glance: Things starting to heat up in Round 3

Seven unbeaten teams will put their perfect starts on the line in Round 3 of the BKT EuroCup, and here you can find out everything you need to know about Tuesday and Wednesday’s action.

## Tuesday, October 8

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs Aris Midea Thessaloniki (18:00 CEST)

A first victory is up for grabs as two winless teams meet when Lietkabelis (0-2) hosts Aris (0-2). Both teams have struggled for offensive production so far, respectively ranking 18th and 20th in the competition in scoring (70.0 vs 69.0 points per game). Lietkabelis has the EuroCup’s worst three-point shooting record (24.1%), but there’s more to come from Georgios Kalaitzakis after he scored 12 points on 3-of-5 field goal shooting last week against Hapoel Jerusalem. Round 2 saw Aris edged out by Turk Telekom at home, but new signing Joshua Roberts gave a great performance with 14 points and 6 offensive rebounds and his efforts to gain extra possessions could be crucial.

### Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius vs ratiopharm Ulm (18:00 CEST)

Wolves (0-2) will aim to kickstart its campaign against an Ulm team (2-0) looking to extend its perfect start. Ulm has been firing on all cylinders offensively, with five different players averaging double digits scoring. That includes Nelson Weidemann, whose 17 points helped gain a statement-making win over Joventut Badalona last week. Wolves should not be too disheartened after competing well in its two losses, and will look for Tre’Shawn Thurman to stay hot after blitzing 29 points on 8-of-10 field goal shooting in last week’s narrow defeat at Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. But the Lithuanian team must improve its interior defense after allowing opponents to convert 67.6% of two-point shots – most in the competition.

### 

2024-25 BKT EuroCup | Round 3 Head-to-Head: Thurman vs. Jessup

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (18:30 CEST)

A pair of fast starters go head to head as Turk Telekom (2-0) and Cedevita (2-0) aim to make it three straight wins. Their successes have come in very different ways, with Turk Telekom boasting the EuroCup’s best defense (64.5 ppg. allowed), while Cedevita has averaged a fourth-best 90.0 ppg. Long-range accuracy has been key for the visiting team, with Brynton Lemar (13.5 ppg. on 60% three-point shooting) among those giving Cedevita the competition’s best conversion rate from beyond the arc (45.6%). The ability of Kyle Alexander (11 rpg.) to control the paint will be crucial for Turk Telekom.

2024-25 BKT EuroCup | Round 3 Head-to-Head: Brown vs. Stewart

### Besiktas Fibabank Istanbul vs Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (20:00 CEST)

A close contest is expected as Besiktas (1-1) hosts Hapoel Tel Aviv (1-1) for a repeat of last season’s quarterfinal, won 89-94 by Besiktas. The Turkish team will be especially motivated after suffering a 21-point mauling in last week’s Istanbul derby against Bahcesehir, when 16 points from Conor Morgan was one of the only shining lights. Besitkas was heavily outrebounded in that contest, so will look to show more physicality against a Hapoel team led in the paint by Johnathan Motley (6.0 rpg.). Patrick Beverley led his team to last week’s opening win over Wolves by pairing 14 points with 6 assists, and his ability to control the tempo will be vital.

### Umana Reyer Venice vs Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (20:00 CEST)

High-flying Bourg (2-0) will look to stay perfect against a Reyer team (1-1) aiming for an immediate response to last week’s narrow loss at Cedevita. It should be a high-scoring game between the fifth (88.5 ppg.) and second (92 ppg.) most effective offenses in the competition. Bourg’s 100% start has been a collective effort, with seven different players averaging double digits PIR led by the versatile Adrian Nelson (14.5 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 19.5 average PIR). Reyer has been great from long-range, ranking second in the EuroCup for three-point shooting accuracy (43.5%) partly thanks to Kyle Wiltjer, who went 4-of-8 from deep in his first appearance of the season last week.

2024-25 BKT EuroCup | Round 3 Head-to-Head: Ennis vs. Castaneda

## Wednesday, October 9

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs Valencia Basket (18:00 CEST)

Wednesday’s opening tip-off will see winless Cluj (0-2) face the tough assignment of stopping the Valencia (2-0) juggernaut. The ambitious Spanish team flexed its offensive muscles by blasting 105 points past Veolia Towers Hamburg last week, and has new signing Matt Costello in great form with 19.5 points per game. Valencia leads the EuroCup in assists, with another fresh face, Jean Montero, averaging 9.0 helpers in his first two games. Cluj will need another big game from triple-double threat Zavier Simpson, who averages 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists, but must take more care of the ball after committing 16.5 turnovers per night so far – second-worst in the competition.

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs Veolia Towers Hamburg (19:00 CEST)

Hapoel Jerusalem (1-1) will look to build on last week’s convincing win at Lietkabelis as it welcomes winless Hamburg (0-2). Jerusalem guard Jared Harper has averaged 25.0 points through the first two games and will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a Hamburg defense which has allowed a competition-high 102.5 points per game. Hamburg competed well with Valencia for the first three quarters of last week’s loss before running out of steam, so coach Benka Barloschky will be looking for a full 40 minutes from his players – and another big performance from guard Billy Ivey, who scored 19 points in Round 2.

### Trefl Sopot vs Joventut Badalona (19:00 CEST)

Two teams aiming to bounce back from defeat, go head to head as Trefl (0-2) welcomes Joventut (1-1). The Polish team will have to find a way of containing veteran big man Ante Tomic, who averages 17.5 points and 8.5 points per night. Trefl will rely on the leadership of guard Tarik Phillip, who has posted impressive numbers of 12.5 points, 8.5 boards and 6.0 assists in the opening two games. The host will also look to disrupt Joventut’s rhythm through the active defense of Robert McGowens, who averages 2.5 steals per night – the best effort in a team average of 10.5 per game, second-best in the EuroCup.

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (20:00 CEST)

Trento (1-1) is seeking a second straight home win as it welcomes a Buducnost team (0-2) desperate to record its first victory of the season. The Italian team overcame Trefl last week in large part thanks to the scoring power of Jordan Ford, who netted 20 points on 7-of-12 field goal shooting. The distribution of Anthony Lamb (5.5 assists per game) will also be important against Buducnost which has so far been let down defensively by allowing 91.5 points per game, second-most in the competition. If that figure improves, the all-round skills of Rasheed Sulaimon (14.5 ppg., 6.5 rpg. and 5.0 apg.) could be enough to secure a much-needed road triumph.

### 

2024-25 BKT EuroCup | Round 3 Head-to-Head: Ford vs. Sulaimon

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs Bahcesehir College Istanbul (21:00 CEST)

A big battle concludes the week’s action as either Gran Canaria (2-0) or Bahcesehir (2-0) will lose its perfect record. The Turkish team will look to control the game through its defense after allowing only 67.5 points in its first two games, second-best in the league. The physicality of center Tai Odiase (13.0 ppg.,  6.0 rpg.) will also be needed to lock up Gran Canaria, a team with many options inside the paint including George Conditt IV, who had 8 points and 7 boards in last week’s win over Buducnost. Another duel to watch is the battle for backcourt control between Andrew Albicy (8.0 ppg., 4.0 apg.) and Jaleen Smith (9.5 ppg. and 6.0 apg.).

2024-25 BKT EuroCup | Round 3 Head-to-Head: Homesley vs. Smith

There are a pair of games between undefeated teams, and one between two winless sides.

Reyer Venezia has announced the signing of Rodney McGruder, who spent the second half of last season playing for EuroLeague team Olimpia Milano.

Reyer Venezia signs Rodney McGruder

Umana Reyer Venice has announced the signing of [Rodney McGruder](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/rodney-mc-gruder/012800/). The club has not stated the length of the contract.

McGruder (1.93 meters, 33 years old) spent the second half of last season playing for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, averaging 7.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game across seven appearances.

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Before landing at Milan in January 2024, McGruder had spent nine years alternating between the NBA and the G League. 

Curiously, his first year as a professional came at Hungarian team Atomeromu SE in 2013-14, then he went on to play for the Maine Red Claws (2014-15) and Sioux Falls Skyforce (2015-16; 2018) in the G League, as well as the Miami Heat (2016-19), Los Angeles Clippers (2019-20) and Detroit Pistons (2020-23) in the NBA.

More Reyer News

He spent the second half of last season with fellow Italian side Milan

Reyer signs Rodney McGruder

Zan Tabak, the head coach of Trefl Sopot, spoke with David Hein about his past experiences, his return to Trefl and the future of Polish basketball.

Trefl head coach Zan Tabak: 'Polish basketball has huge potential'

Trefl Sopot is back in the BKT EuroCup for the first time since the 2012-13 season and Zan Tabak, the club’s head coach, is excited about the future of basketball in Poland.

Tabak was head coach for Trefl the last time it was in the EuroCup and the 54-year-old is in year three back with the club, having guided Trelf to its first Polish League championship last season.

“We are really excited to be back in the EuroCup because this was our main goal when I signed the long-term deal with Trefl,” Tabak, who returned to Trefl in 2022, tells David Hein. “One of the objectives was to put the team back in Europe, where it was many years ago.”

Tabak knows about elite basketball. He was a member of the famous Jugoplastika Split team that won the EuroLeague title three years on the trot, from 1988 to 1991, and he won an Olympic silver medal in 1992 while playing for Croatia against the USA’s famous Dream Team in Barcelona. He also won the 1995 NBA championship alongside Hakeem Olajuwon with the Houston Rockets.

Zan Tabak during his days playing in the EuroCup for Joventut Badalona.

After retiring in 2005, he was an assistant coach for Real Madrid, where together they won the EuroCup in 2007 and the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in 2015. Tabak has been a head coach in Europe’s premier club basketball competition, too, having led Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

Most of his success as a play-caller has come in Poland, where he guided Trefl to the 2012 Polish Super Cup and then led Zielona Gora to the 2020 Polish Super Cup and Polish League title, in addition to the 2021 Polish National Cup.

Tabak left Trefl back in November 2012 and took over as Baskonia head coach after the Spanish club fired Dusko Ivanovic, yet he knew his departure from the Polish side was going to be a matter of when, not if.

“Trefl was in a really tough financial situation. My contract was a burden for the team,” Tabak recalls. “The objectives of the team changed because of the sudden problems in the financial situation. We came to mutual agreement.”

“That season was a big learning experience for me, and I believe the best teaching lessons are learned from your own mistakes. I think what I learned most at that time was about group leadership and the group energy,” he says of his season with Baskonia, which he led to the team making the EuroLeague Playoffs before losing the series 3-1 to CSKA Moscow.

Zan Tabak dishes out instructions as Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach in the 2015-16 EuroLeague season.

Tabak stayed in contact with the bosses at Trefl and talked to them again in the spring of 2022 after being fired from Spanish outfit San Pablo Burgos in November 2021. He was apprehensive that the team would not be playing in a European competition in 2022-23, but the long-term vision appealed to him.

He then guided Trefl back to the Polish League playoffs in his first year. Then, last season, the team finished second in the regular-season standings but came back from a 3-1 deficit in the finals against King Szczecin to secure the club’s first league crown.

“I believe it was not expected because we didn't have the most talented group of players, but we had the best team,” Tabak states. “We had the best connection, the best chemistry between the players, and each one of them gave their maximum at every moment. Me being the one who could bring that to Sopot, it's a great feeling.”

Jaroslaw Zyskowski and Zan Tabak during Trefl's EuroCup media day.

Over the course of his career, Tabak has seen basketball take big steps in Poland. The country reached the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 semifinals for the first time since 1969, and it finished eighth at the 2019 FIBA World Cup on its first appearance since 1967.

Tabak, however, believes the national team’s performance is not a true indicator of a country’s strength but rather how many of its teams are playing in European club competitions.

Poland has a representative in the EuroCup for the fourth straight season and sixth in the last seven years. King Szczecin and Slask Wroclaw are both playing this season in the Basketball Champions League, PGE Spojnia Stargard and Anwil Wloclawek are competing in the FIBA Europe Cup, and Legia Warsaw and Dziki Warsaw are playing in the European North Basketball League (ENBL).

“I believe the infrastructure and clubs’ organization have gone up since I was here the first time. I see the country with huge potential,” he proclaims, particularly given Poland’s population of 38 million people.

"It's a really big country. Its economy is doing really good. And I believe Polish people, genetically, have a really good predisposition to play basketball. I think Polish basketball has, in the last 10 years, definitely gone way up.”

Tabak now thinks those at the top of Polish basketball need to work on making the game more popular and also increase the money in the sport in order to keep the country’s best players in Poland.

“I believe that Polish basketball needs to get to the level where all Polish players, the best Polish players, are staying in Poland,” he says. “This needs to come through a longer period of lifting all of Polish basketball to the next level.

“Polish clubs need to financially be stronger and play a bigger role in Europe so that they are attractive for the best Polish players to stay in Poland.”

Olek Balcerowski, for example, is on the books at Unicaja Malaga this season after helping Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens win the EuroLeague title last May. Mateusz Ponitka is with Bahcesehir College Istanbul in the EuroCup after spending five seasons in the EuroLeague, Michal Sokolowski is with Dinamo Sassari in his fifth season abroad, while Jeremy Sochan is in the NBA. Young prospect Igor Milicic is in his fourth season in college in the United States and Jakub Niziol played in the EuroCup last season with Slask Wroclaw, but he now plays in France for State Rochelais.

If they were all playing for Polish clubs, things would look a lot different. Just like Zan Tabak believes.

The Croatian play-caller spoke with David Hein about his past experiences, his return to Trefl and how he sees the future of basketball in Poland

Look back at all the action in Round 2 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 