Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares his recommendations for this week
Javier Gancedo's fantasy tips for the start of the playoffs
Fantasy Challenge
3 Mins read
Welcome to the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs! The best eight teams in the competition are set to fight for Final Four glory in four outstanding best-of-five series. The EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge continues until a champion is crowned in Abu Dhabi. There are unlimited trades, too, and I have some recommendations for all price ranges. Let's see them!
DyShawn Pierre, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (5.8 credits)
A cheaper option to round out your roster. DyShawn Pierre has played well against Paris this season, getting 6 points and 5 rebounds for a PIR of 11 in Paris and 7 points and 4 rebounds for a PIR of 11 in Istanbul. Pierre is a great pick-and-roll defender and his experience should allow him to see good playing time in the playoffs. Go for him!
Dan Oturu, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (10.8 credits)
Looking back, Dan Oturu played two very good games against Panathinaikos in regular season action and should be an important factor in the series. Efes enters the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak. Oturu struck twice against the Greens, getting 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting for a PIR of 21 in Istanbul and posting 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting for a PIR of 17 in their meeting in Athens.
Daniel Theis, AS Monaco (13.2 credits)
Barca has done well against Monaco this season, winning both regular season games. Daniel Theis was not present in either of those games and he could be a difference-maker in the series. In eight games with Monaco, Theis has averaged 13.8 points on solid shooting (62.2% 2FG, 41.7% 3FG) and 6.1 rebounds for a PIR of 17.0. His toughness and experience gave Monaco exactly what it needed.
Mario Hezonja, Real Madrid (13.4 credits)
Mario Hezonja does not need extra motivation before a playoff series, but the fact that Real plays Olympiacos should give him a boost. Real lost against the Reds twice this season but Hezonja posted solid numbers, averaging 16.0 points and a PIR of 16.0. He played a critical role in the Play-In Showdown final game against FC Bayern Munich with 19 points and 7 rebounds for a PIR of 24. A solid choice!
Kendrick Nunn, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (19.6 credits)
Kendrick Nunn was crowned the 2024-25 EuroLeague MVP after a fantastic regular season in which he averaged a league-best 21.1 points plus 3.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists for a PIR of 20.3. Last season, he brought out his best in the playoffs against Maccabi, averaging 19.2 points on 51.6% three-pointers for a PIR of 16.6. Nunn should be your superstar of choice this week.