This week, Javi Gancedo is back in his traditional role, suggesting fantasy players you should choose in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge
Fantasy Challenge tips, Round 2: Strategy is everything!
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3 Mins read
The 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is underway! Round 2 is a very strategic one in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge as there are three turns of games.
Yes, that's right: two games are played on Wednesday, four more on Thursday and the remaining three on Friday to wrap things up. That gives you plenty of choices, especially when it comes to choosing a team captain.
Unless you trust someone in particular to get a good score, at your own risk, try to have one good player per turn, just in case. That's why I am recommending players in all three turns before Round 2.
Martin Hermannsson, ALBA Berlin (8.3 credits)
Injury-free and experienced, Martin Hermannsson is seeing extended playing time due to ALBA's many backcourt injuries. He has made the most out of it, too, getting a PIR of 18 against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in Round 1, and following that up with another solid performance in the German League this weekend: 16 points, 8 assists and a PIR of 22. All for less than 9.0 credits. Extremely recommended.
Jasiel Rivero, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (10.7 credits)
Maccabi comes off a good win and gets to play against AS Monaco. Everyone has an eye on Tamir Blatt, who will be the most-bought player in Round 2. Jasiel Rivero can be a steal because he is seeing more playing time and comes off a really solid game in Round 1 in which he did a little bit of everything: 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks. A really solid choice at center who is playing on Wednesday.
Dan Oturu, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (10.8 credits)
Yes, Dan Oturu came off the bench in Round 1 and Efes plays a Turkish derby against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 2. Oturu has been in great shape and proved that right away. In a low-scoring game against Virtus, Oturu had 14 points and 9 rebounds in almost 26 minutes. He has had a really strong pre-season and can play alongside Vincent Poirier, becoming a key player in Efes's frontcourt.
Tadas Sedekerskis, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (13.1 credits)
Another Wednesday choice as team captain to give you the edge right away, early in Round 1. Just as last season, Tadas Sedekerskis has started this campaign in excellent shape. He had 14 points, 6 rebounds and a PIR of 21 in his team's EuroLeague opener against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, and also had a solid game in the Spanish League this weekend: 14 points, 7 rebounds and a PIR of 23. What can go wrong with Tadas?
TJ Shorts, Paris Basketball (13.3 credits)
You need a reliable player on Friday in case everything goes wrong. TJ Shorts is perfect as Paris plays on Friday and he rarely has bad games. Last season, he had a PIR of 20 or higher in all EuroCup playoff games, and just two single-digit PIR games all season. I hear you, it was the EuroCup, but Shorts has the same role in the EuroLeague and had a PIR of 21 in Round 1. He has great fantasy value.