Look back at all the action in Round 7 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Round 7

Look back at all the action from Round 7 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

In the aftermath of devastating floods which killed more than 200 people in its home region, Wednesday’s EuroCup trip to Aris BC was never going to be easy for Valencia Basket.

Valencia rebounded for suffering fans with hard-fought win over Aris

In the aftermath of devastating floods which killed more than 200 people in its home region, [Wednesday’s BKT EuroCup trip to Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-stays-perfect-with-tough-road-win-at-aris-59-63/) was never going to be easy for [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/?season=2024-25).

Before the action, visiting coach Pedro Martinez admitted that his players had found it difficult to mentally prepare as they became the first professional sports team from Valencia to play a competitive game since the tragedy.

“Our mood is not the best, but we are professionals and we will try to play a good game”, Martinez told EuroLeague TV in his pre-game interview. “We are representing the people of Valencia. We would like to do more, but the only thing we can do today is try to play good basketball.”

Valencia Basket head coach Pedro Martinez spoke to EuroLeague TV ahead of his team's Round 7 clash against Aris Midea Thessaloniki in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Pedro Martinez: 'We are representing our people from Valencia'

Once the pre-game emotions were lifted and the action began, it was clear that Aris’s aggressive defense would do everything possible to limit the offensive explosiveness of the Spanish team, which had netted more than 100 points in its four previous games.

Valencia never looked like reaching those numbers on this occasion, with the Greek team’s ball-hawking skills forcing 5 turnovers in the first quarter alone. And that set the tone because by the end of the game, with Valencia held to only 63 points on low shooting percentages: 15 of 37 from two-point range (41%), and 7 of 32 from deep (22%).

But Pedro Martinez’s men were able to overcome their rare off night in terms of shooting accuracy – and claim a 59-63 victory – by instead showcasing another of their strengths: powerful rebounding.

The Spanish side dominated the boards from the opening tip, reaching a colossal 27 boards by halftime with 11 of those coming at the offensive end. By comparison, Aris only had 13 first-half rebounds, including 3 off the offensive glass.

By the end of the game the rebounding disparity had not been diminished, with Valencia claiming 55 boards and 25 at the offensive end (just two short of the club’s EuroCup record) while Aris’s respective numbers were 37 and 13.

And those extra possessions made a difference to the eventual outcome, with Valencia netting 9 second-chance points compared to 5 for Aris – a small but significant margin in such a low-scoring game.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Gracias por todo, Ευχαριστούμε για όλα, <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ARISBCgr</a> 🧡💛<br><br>📷 Megapress / Aris BC Midea <a href="https://t.co/QzGPHJznfS">pic.twitter.com/QzGPHJznfS</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1854277466388566379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The chief rebounder was [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/), who also led the team’s scoring as he contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds. And when the action was over, he reaffirmed the message that playing sport is secondary to his team during these difficult times.

“The city of Valencia right now is hurting,” said the forward. “Basketball is just a small part of life. Our hearts and our minds are always with the people that have lost so much. We just want to continue to think about them, to draw attention to them, and to help them heal in any way we can.”

Valencia Basket forward Semi Ojeleye spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team's Round 7 win against Aris Midea Thessaloniki in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Semi Ojeleye: 'The city of Valencia is hurting'

Coach Martinez echoed those sentiments and added that his team’s commitment to the local community will continue into a challenging future. “We played for our supporters,” he noted. “They are suffering, but the most important thing is not to talk for only one day, or one week. We have a big problem in front of us. We need a lot of help and it is impossible to resolve in a few days.”

Game News

The Valencian Community was hit hard by flash floods last week and is still dealing with the consequences

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Valencia Basket (2024-11-06T18:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom has announced the signing of Kenneth "Speedy" Smith, who joins from Hapoel Jerusalem.

Turk Telekom adds Speedy Smith

Turk Telekom Ankara has announced the signing of [Speedy Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kenneth-smith/010587/), who spent the first part of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup campaign with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem.

Smith (1.91 meters, 31 years old) posted 7.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.0 steal per night for Jerusalem across the first six games of the EuroCup season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">✍️ Kenneth &quot;Speedy&quot; Smith artık <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnkaraBasketbolu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnkaraBasketbolu</a> için ter dökecek! <br><br>Welcome to family Kenneth &quot;Speedy&quot; Smith! 👏🔥 <a href="https://t.co/EMPcBmSFQo">pic.twitter.com/EMPcBmSFQo</a></p>&mdash; Türk Telekom Basketbol (@TT_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Basketbol/status/1854514003319349413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is his second year in the EuroCup after previously representing the Antwerp Giants in 2020-21, when he averaged 15.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.0 steal per game in nine appearances.

Smith started his professional career with VEF Riga in 2015-16 before seeing out the rest of that season and the 2016-17 campaign with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. He remained in the G League for the next two seasons, suiting up for the Grand Rapids Gold. Smith returned to Europe in 2019 by playing for Szolnok, Charleroi and Maccabi Haifa in 2019-20. He split the 2020-21 season between Antwerp and Limoges, then played at Rytas Vilnius in 2021-22 before joining Jerusalem. Now he will continue his career with Turk Telekom.

More Turk Telekom News

The Turkish side moved quickly to sign the point guard

A memorable performance by an unstoppable Anthony Brown saw him set three new season highs in the BKT EuroCup and a pair of club records for Turk Telekom Ankara, all while earning him MVP of the Round honors.

Round 7 MVP: Anthony Brown, Turk Telekom Ankara

A memorable performance by an unstoppable [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/) saw him set three new season highs in the BKT EuroCup and a pair of club records for Turk Telekom Ankara, all while earning him MVP of the Round honors.

In a 99-80 win over the visiting U-BT Cluj-Napoca, Brown starred with a career-best 39 points, shooting 8 for 10 from downtown, setting club records and EuroCup season-high marks in both scoring and three-pointers made. Brown was also 6 of 9 on two-pointers and made all 3 of his free throws. In addition, he dished 7 assists, pulled down 4 rebounds and had 1 steal, accumulating a PIR of 45, another season high and a personal best.

Two players had a PIR of 33: Cluj's [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) and [Jaka Blazic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaka-blazic/003452/) of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. Simpson collected 22 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and drew 9 fouls in a loss against Turk Telekom, while Blazic posted 23 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 9 drawn fouls in an 83-90 loss against Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse. The next best PIR, 32, belongs to ratiopharm Ulm's [Justinian Jessup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/justinian-jessup/013290/), who played 41 minutes in a 105-100 overtime loss at Buducnost VOLI Podgorica with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Rounding out the list of best performers in Round 7 is Turk Telekom's [Braian Angola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/braian-angola/010465/), with a PIR of 29, as he collected 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

 

### Individual highs: Anthony Brown, Turk Telekom, 39 points

Brown's 39 points in Round 7 are the most by a player this season. [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem is the EuroCup's scoring leader with 22.0 points per game.

Veteran center [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) of Joventut Badalona pulled down 13 rebounds, more than any other player in this round. Tomic is the EuroCup's new rebounding leader with 9.7 boards per game.

[Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/) of Bahcesehir College Istanbul dished 15 assists, head and shoulders better than anyone else in Round 7. Cluj's Simpson leads the EuroCup this season, averaging 7.1 assists per night.

[D'Moi Hodge](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/d--moi-hodge/013253/) of Aris Midea Thessaloniki led all players in this round with 5 steals. Jerusalem's [Yovel Zoosman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yovel-zoosman/006625/) leads the EuroCup with 2.3 steals per contest.

Two Aris players, [Eleftherios Bochoridis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/eleftherios-bochoridis/003240/) and [Nate Laszewski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nathan-james-laszewski/013393/), had 3 blocks in Round 7. [Aleksa Ilic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/aleksa-ilic/006561/) of Buducnost is this season's top shot blocker with 1.8 per game.

There were five double-doubles in this round: Tomic (17 points, 13 rebounds), [Joshua Roberts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joshua-roberts/013252/) of Aris (10 points, 12 rebounds), [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) of Valencia Basket (13 points, 12 rebounds), [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (11 points, 10 rebounds), and [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) of Bahcesehir (12 points, 10 rebounds).

A career night results with Turk Telekom guard earning this round's MVP honor.

Euroleague Basketball Official Report on Round 7 Game: Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Umana Reyer Venice

Following the conclusion of the BKT EuroCup Round 7 game between Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem and Umana Reyer Venice, the Unified Scorers Crew (USC) operators mistakenly deleted a valid 2-point basket scored by a Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem player, Khadeen Carrington with 4:17 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. This error led to an incorrect final score of 92-66 being published on the official boxscore.

Upon identifying the mistake, the correct final result of 94-66 and individual stats of Khadeen Carrington were uploaded to the official BKT EuroCup website. This error occurred after the game had ended, during a review of the boxscore by the USC, and had no impact on the game's outcome.

Congratulations to Teo Rufo, our seventh winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Teo's team, 'Torry', posted a score of 227.90.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 7 winner

Congratulations to Teo Rufo, our seventh winner in the 2024-25 [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Teo's team, 'Torry', posted a score of 227.90.

Teo had the following lineup: Tai Odiase of Bahcesehir College Istanbul as team captain, then the rest of his starting five included Anthony Brown of Turk Telekom Ankara, ratiopharm Ulm's Noa Essengue, Zavier Simpson of U-BT Cluj-Napoca and Brae Ivey of Veolia Towers Hamburg. His team's head coach was Nenad Canak of 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys.

Ulm's Justinian Jessup was his sixth man, while the four bench players were Sasu Salin of Cluj, Marko Pecarski of Lietkabelis, and Umana Reyer Venice duo of Kyle Wiltjer and Carl Wheatle.

The prize for finishing first in Round 7 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Teo!

The new leader in the overall standings is Nikolaos Kechris's squad, 'αλαφουζο δρομο', which has a total of 1,184.48 points after the first seven rounds. Trades are now open for Round 8. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!

It was not pretty, but Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius did everything it needed to do to beat Dreamland Gran Canaria 66-68 in Round 7. 


Desire, defense give Wolves prestigious win 

It was not pretty, but [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/roster/wol/) did everything it needed to do to beat [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/roster/can/) [66-68](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/wolves-conquers-gran-canaria-arena-66-68/) in Round 7. 

Indeed, it was the Wolves' third-lowest score ever in a EuroCup road game and its worse mark by far this season. The Wolves had scored 84 points or more in all three games outside the Lithuanian capital until now. What happened?

Gran Canaria was limited to 66 points for the second time in a home game this season: it previously beat [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25) [66-63 in Round 3](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-survives-drama-edges-bahcesehir-66-63/). Before that, Gran Canaria had not scored 66 points or less in a home loss since the 2020-21 Top 16, when MoraBanc Andorra grabbed a [63-66 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2020-21/herbalife-gran-canaria-morabanc-andorra/U2020/144/) at Gran Canaria Arena.

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius Kristupas Zemaitis had 13 points against Dreamland Gran Canaria.

Zemaitis led Wolves' big road win

Three-pointers and rebounds made the difference in the game. Gran Canaria buried just 5 of 26 shots from beyond the arc. Its 19.2% three-point shooting percentage was the worst since that 63-66 loss against Andorra on January 27, 2021. That night, Gran Canaria hit just 3 of 31 shots from downtown (9.7% 3FG). The Wolves were not brilliant from downtown but did much better, hitting 9 of 28 three-pointers (32.1%).

The Wolves outrebounded Gran Canaria 35-48 and dominated at both ends. Gran Canaria was limited to just 6 offensive rebounds while the Wolves pulled down 27 defensive board. In other words, the visitors pulled down 81.8% of all rebounds under their rim. Things were very different at the other side of the court. The Wolves grabbed 21 offensive rebounds. Gran Canaria took 29 defensive boards, just 58% of the 50 rebounds under its basket.

Game Videos

"It was an ugly game for the fans, for us players also, we needed to suffer. Sometimes you need to suffer in games like this," [Kristupas Zemaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kristupas-zemaitis/005516/) said after the game, "And because of our great energy, especially in the end with those offensive rebounds by Reggie \[[Regimantas Miniotas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/regimantas-miniotas/004645/)\], by [Brooks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/garrison-brooks/012789/), we survived this game, so I am very happy about that."

Zemaitis led the winners with 13 points. Gran Canaria had a much higher team PIR, 82, but the Wolves managed to get the victory with a PIR of 66.

"I think the desire we had \[was the key\]," Wolves head coach Alessandro Magro said. "I am really happy because this is a big win against such a good team on the road, and everybody in the team put his brick to build our wall. I am really happy for the team, for the guys. We had a lot of mistakes but fixed them. This kind of win has to give us a lot of confidence."

Kristupas Zemaitis stood out for the winners

Desire and defense gave Wolves a prestigious win 

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2024-11-06T20:00:00.000Z)

There was not much doubt at Kalnapilio Arena where 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys dismissed the visiting Veolia Hamburg Towers 91-68. A facilitator of many good things in this victory was a veteran center Andrija Stipanovic who scored 11 points, dished a career-high 7 assists, and pulled down 6 rebounds.

Point-center Stipanovic had Lietkabelis offense clicking

There was not much doubt at Kalnapilio Arena where [7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/lietkabelis-panevezys/roster/lkb/?season=2024-25)dismissed the visiting [Veolia Hamburg Towers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/veolia-hamburg-towers/roster/ham/?season=2024-25). The key to the [91-68 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/lietkabelis-runs-past-hamburg-91-68/) was the second quarter in which Lietkabelis turned a 24-21 lead after 10 minutes into a 48-30 halftime advantage. Hamburg never came closer than 15 points the rest of the way and was down by 20 or more for large portion of the second half.

In that second quarter, the hosts shot 4-of-10 from range, while holding the visitors to 0-for-7 three-point shooting and forcing 5 turnovers. Lietkabelis also outrebounded Hamburg 13-7 in that quarter.

A facilitator of many good things in this victory was veteran center [Andrija Stipanovic ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrija-stipanovic/005113/)who scored 11 points, dished a career-high 7 assists, and pulled down 6 rebounds.

"The first thing we needed to do is respond to Hamburg's physicality, and I think we did that," Stipanovic assessed after the game. "We played good basketball, we scored a lot of threes."

That ball movement is something Stipanovic had a lot to do with and was why Lietkabelis had many open looks.

"It is a nice number, 7 assists", Stipanovic said with big smile on his ace. "\[The guys\] scored three-pointers this time."

His coach was a little more serious and did not hold back on praising his veteran center.

"Sometimes, the numbers say enough", head coach Nenad Canak said to EuroLeague TV. "He was our second point guard, but that is not a surprise. He is playing like that his whole career."

Stipanovic, who was a late Lietkabelis signing, is posting 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in four appearances. And Lietkabelis, which opened the season with four straight losses, is suddenly 2-4 and determined to continue it climb up the Group B standings.

"We played good defense with intensity, but it is much easier when you make some shots, which we did not do this season until now. This game showed the way we can play," Canak said.

The veteran big man dished a career-high 7 assists.

Point-center Stipanovic had Lietkabelis's offense clicking

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2024-11-06T17:00:00.000Z)

The Wolves improved to 4-3 in the standings while Gran Canaria dropped to 5-2. Kristupas Zemaitis led the winners with 13 points. Anthony Cowan added 10 for the Wolves. John Shurna led Gran Canaria with 12 points, Andrew Albicy added 11 and Joe Thomasson 10. 

Wolves conquers Gran Canaria Arena, 66-68! 

The Wolves improved to 4-3 in the standings after scoring a 66-68 road win over Dreamland Gran Canaria on Wednesday. Gran Canaria dropped to 5-2. 

Kristupas Zemaitis led the winners with 13 points. Anthony Cowan added 10 for the Wolves. John Shurna led Gran Canaria with 12 points, Andrew Albicy added 11 and Joe Thomasson 10. 

Zemaitis got the Wolves going with a dunk that Jeffery Taylor followed with a driving layup for a 0-4 lead. Albicy stepped up for Gran Canaria, getting help from Shurna to keep the hosts within 4-6. Shurna followed a running jumper with a backdoor basket that gave Gran Canaria its first lead, 8-6. Garrison Brooks rescued the Wolves with a put-back layup that Pierre Pelos matched with a turnaround jumper. Andrew Andrews brought his team within 11-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Pelos sank another turnaround jumper early in the second quarter. Maias Jogela and George Conditt traded layups, then Tre'Shawn Thurman struck from downtown to tie it at 15-15. Andrews buried a triple off the dribble which Marek Blazevic followed with a jump hook to keep the Wolves in charge, 17-20. Thurman insisted from beyond the arc and Blazevic's dunk saw Gran Canaria call timeout at 17-25. Nico Brussino sank a three-pointer, Albicy added a reverse layup and Caleb Homesley's fastbreak basket got Gran Canaria within 24-25. Thurman hit a jump hook and Cowan followed a driving layup with a triple but Albicy and Mike Tobey got the hosts within 30-32 at halftime.

Regimantas Miniotas hit a corner three-pointer soon after the break. Thomasson answered with a driving layup that Blazevic matched with a jump hook. Mike Tobey scored in the low post and got help from Albicy to give Gran Canaria a 38-37 edge. Zemaitis rescued the Wolves with consecutive three-pointers to give his team a 42-43 edge. Conditt took over with a reverse layup and then Zemaitis followed his fourth triple with a driving basket for a 44-48 score after 30 minutes.

Jogela silenced the crowd with an alley-oop dunk early in the fourth quarter. Thomasson scored in penetration and added a three-pointer in a 9-1 run that Shurna capped with a mid-range jumper that made Gran Canaria regain a 53-51 lead. After Alocen made free throws, Andrews answered from beyond the arc. Then Conditt scored down low for a 57-54 Gran Canaria lead. Miniotas finished a three-chance Wolves offense with a layup and Cowan put the Wolves ahead, 57-59. Brooks soon made it a four-point game in the next-to-last minute. Pelos scored around the basket and Homesley's backdoor layup tied it at 62-62. Brooks kept pacing the Wolves with an off-balance basket, Andrews split free throws and so did Albicy with 12.5 seconds left. Cowan hit free throws, Thomasson buried a triple and Jogela gave Wolves a 66-68 lead with 3.6 seconds remaining. Albicy turned the ball over on his team's final possession.

It was the fourth win in a row for Wolves