Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv has signed rookie Clifford Omoruyi, adding a high-motor center with elite defensive instincts to its roster. 

Maccabi taps tenacious talent Clifford Omoruyi

[Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv/roster/tel/) has signed rookie Clifford Omoruyi to a two-year deal, adding a high-motor center with elite defensive instincts to its roster.

Omoruyi (2.11 meters, 23 years old) joins the Israeli powerhouse after a five-year collegiate career split between Rutgers and Alabama. Known for his shot-blocking prowess and explosive athleticism, Omoruyi earned multiple All-Big Ten honors and finished his NCAA tenure as one of the most efficient bigs in the country.

Last season he averaged 7.9 points on 73.4% shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks for Alabama in 34 appearances. Before that, he was a Big Ten Conference All-Defensive Team selection after both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons with Rutgers.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome Big Cliff! <a href="https://t.co/xyNRkYTJtz">pic.twitter.com/xyNRkYTJtz</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1962437569779507577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We’re happy to welcome Cliff into our family,” Oded Kattash said of the signing. “He’s a player with significant size and good instincts, with a presence on both ends of the floor. He’ll bring us athleticism, rebounding, and energy. He has tremendous upside, and I have no doubt he’ll help us reach our goals.”

Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Omoruyi moved to the United States at age 14 and quickly transitioned from football boots to basketball sneakers. He starred at Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey, earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors before committing to Rutgers. Now, the center begins a new chapter with Maccabi.

More Maccabi Tel Aviv news

Nigerian-born big man brings rim protection and raw power to Maccabi’s frontcourt

Israel shook up the standings in Group D of EuroBasket 2025 in Katowice, Poland, by scoring an 82-69 upset win at Spodek Arena on Sunday over France, which moved it into second place with a 2-1 record, the same as its opponent. The winning team was at its best when the Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv duo of Tomer Ginat and Yam Madar were on the floor. 

Hapoel duo of Ginat, Madar spark Israel to upset of France

Israel shook up the standings in Group D of EuroBasket 2025 in Katowice, Poland, by scoring an 82-69 upset win at Spodek Arena on Sunday over France, which moved it into second place with a 2-1 record, the same as its opponent. The winning team was at its best when the [Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/roster/hta/) duo of [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomer-ginat/010550/) and [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/) were on the floor.

Madar tallied 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, while Ginat amassed 14 points and 6 boards. They were second and third, respectively, on Israel in scoring behind [Deni Avdija](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/deni-avdija/007675/), who scored 23. However, their impact could be seen from their +/-: Ginat led all players with +17 in 21:46 minutes and Madar was right behind with +16 in 24:22. Third was [Roman Sorkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/) of [Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv/roster/tel/) with +13 in 27:47.

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Avdija spoke glowingly of both Ginat and Madar after the game.

"Tomer is a leader. It's really fun to play with him, next to him. I learn a lot from him – how to speak to guys, how to lead the team," Avdija said at the post-game press conference. "Tomer has things that you cannot teach: his touch, to be in the right place at the right time. He's a winner. And even though he didn’t start today – and for many players that would get into their heads – it didn’t affect him negatively. On the contrary, Tomer took it positively. Despite everything that happened yesterday, he gave an amazing game. Huge credit to him."

Earlier, in the mixed zone, he commented on Madar, who has been dealing with a knee injury since last season. "It’s not a surprise at all. I see this guy working, really working hard, doing everything he can. Treatments, training, everything, so that he’ll be at his very best on the court. He was born for these shots, he knows how to make them."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ISRAEL WITH AN 11-0 RUN 🔥<br><br>🇮🇱 up by 7 with 6:50 to go.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/TherealIBBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TherealIBBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/vhmdHtOb3L">pic.twitter.com/vhmdHtOb3L</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1962193776555827372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Madar, Ginat, Sorkin and Avdija all had key roles as Israel pulled away in the fourth quarter. Elie Okobo's four-point play at the end of the third quarter gave France a 55-56 lead and the AS Monaco guard opened the fourth with another triple. A minute later, Ginat subbed in and scored for Israel, sparking an 11-0 run that Madar capped with a three-pointer for a 66-59 lead.

When Paris Basketball's Nadir Hifi scored, Ginat answered with a bucket in the paint. Israel kept the pressure on and Sorkin fed Madar for a fastbreak layup that boosted the margin to double figures at 74-63. All told, Israel outscored France 27-13 in the fourth quarter with Madar netted 7 of those points and Ginat 6. Madar added 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal and Ginat also corralled 3 boards in the final stanza.

Both Madar and Ginat had quiet starts as France raced to a 10-20 lead. However, Ginat drilled a three-pointer and Madar cashed in a steal for a layup to get within 17-22 after 10 minutes. The duo contributed more points early in the second quarter as Israel tied the game at 36-36 at the break. Israel kept it close in a topsy-turvy third quarter before pulling away in the fourth.

More EuroBasket 2025 coverage

The two combined for 13 fourth-quarter points in the come-from-behind win

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens big man Konstantinos Mitoglou scored 17 points in as many minutes to help Greece overpower Georgia 53-94 on Sunday afternoon at Spyros Kyprianou Arena in Limassol, Cyprus

Konstantinos Mitoglou’s hot shooting helps keep Greece atop EuroBasket group

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens big man [Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) scored 17 points in as many minutes to help Greece overpower Georgia 53-94 on Sunday afternoon at Spyros Kyprianou Arena in Limassol, Cyprus. Against a Georgia team whose strength resides in its frontline, Mitoglou teamed with Giannis Antetokounmpo to take charge early and roll to a convincing win. The victory improved Greece to 3-0 atop Group C, while Georgia slipped to 1-2.

Mitoglou made a pair of threes among his 8 points in the first quarter and went on to score 7 more in the second – all on perfect shooting. He was bound to miss at some point – and it happened three and a half minutes into the second half. And then Mitoglou proceeded to block Georgian big man Sandro Mamukelashvili at one end before sinking a fadeaway jumper for the game's next bucket. He was subbed out soon after and able to rest for the game’s final 15 minutes.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇬🇷 Dinos is cooooooking 🧑‍🍳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/HellenicBF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HellenicBF</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Paobcgr</a> <a href="https://t.co/YZkbqkALpB">pic.twitter.com/YZkbqkALpB</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1962137954433802588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He finished the game with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting – including 3 for 3 from deep – plus 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Mitoglou was second on Greece in scoring and PIR (24) behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo (27 points, PIR of 33). In the 17 minutes (and 23 seconds) that Mitoglou played, Greece outscored Georgia 22-49.

Greece returns to action on Tuesday afternoon to face Bosnia and Herzegovina. Georgia will face host Cyprus later that day.

The Panathinaikos big man missed only 1 shot while fueling his country past Georgia

Virtus Bologna has announced the signing of Aliou Diarra, who has penned a multi-year agreement with the Italian club.

Virtus reels in Aliou Diarra

Virtus Bologna has announced the signing of Aliou Diarra on a multi-year agreement.

Diarra (2.08 meters, 23 years old) spent last season playing for APR in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), averaging 17.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.3 blocks and 1.4 steals in eight games for the Rwanda-based team.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 🌟<br>Aliou Diarra è un nuovo giocatore dei Campioni d’Italia 💯 <a href="https://t.co/8sjdpTXRtR">pic.twitter.com/8sjdpTXRtR</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Bologna (@VirtusBo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusBo/status/1961738115518812161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A Mali international, Diarra's first professional season came in 2023 as he played eight times in the BAL for Malian club Stade Malien, posting 18.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.4 steals. That same campaign, he joined FUS Rabat in Morocco and averaged 13.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steal per night across four BAL appearances.

Diarra remained with Rabat for the 2024 BAL season, posting 16.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 2.2 blocks and 1.0 steal in six games before averaging 13.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steal in four fixtures.

Across his three years playing in the BAL, Diarra has twice been the Defensive Player of the Year (2023, 2025), is a two-time All-BAL First Team selection (2023, 2024), a three-time BAL All-Defensive Team member (2023, 2024, 2025), the BAL rebounding leader in 2023, and a two-time leader in blocks (2023, 2025).

More Virtus News

The 23-year-old center has made waves in the BAL over the last three seasons

The Virtus duo led Italy past Georgia in a key showdown

EuroBasket 2025: Niang, Akele lead Italy to first win 

In what was a critical game for both teams, [Saliou Niang](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saliou-niang/012687/) and his Virtus Bologna teammate [Momo Diouf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mouhamet-diouf/013374/) provided answers when Italy needed them most, leading their team to a convincing 78-62 victory over Georgia. Georgia was riding high after a historic win against Spain and was well on its way to a second Group C triumph. Italy had started play with a loss against Greece and could ill-afford to fall to 0-2.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chef Momo cooking in the paint 👨‍🍳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/Italbasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Italbasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/eboKreyhEh">pic.twitter.com/eboKreyhEh</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1961769077648556079?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


It was harder than it looked. Georgia led for the better part of the game and used a 0-7 run to take a 37-41 edge midway through the third quarter. It didn't last long, however, as [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) of Valencia Basket fueled an 11-0 blitz that put Italy ahead for good. Diouf and an unstoppable Niang joined forces to boost the Italian lead to 66-47 with over 6 minutes remaining, more than enough for their team to keep full control of the game until the final buzzer.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SALIOU NIANG IS TAKING OVER! 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MakeYourMark?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MakeYourMark</a> <a href="https://t.co/LhoXug8GW4">pic.twitter.com/LhoXug8GW4</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1961788332268032377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Niang led the winners with 15 points in 17 minutes. Diouf was rock-solid at the starting center spot, getting 13 points and 5 rebounds in 25 minutes. Italy had five other players scoring five points or more in a great team effort. Italy also managed to keep FC Barcelona forward [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) and two-time EuroLeague champion Giorgi Shermadini scoreless. Former EuroLeague Rising Star Goda Bitadze led Georgia with 22 points. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH YOUR HEAD!<br><br>📺 <a href="https://t.co/O8gpIsQl2R">https://t.co/O8gpIsQl2R</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/Italbasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Italbasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/h46eiaiefg">pic.twitter.com/h46eiaiefg</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1961792449635905807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


Virtus fans have good reasons to look to a brighter future, as two of the squad's youngest players have a significant role on the national team. Niang is 21 years old and set to make his EuroLeague debut with Virtus after two BKT EuroCup campaigns with Dolomiti Energia Trento. At the age of 23, Diouf concluded a promising EuroLeague season with Virtus, averaging 6.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and a PIR of 7.9 in 31 games. Italy comes off a character win before two critical games against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday and against Spain on Tuesday.

Saliou Niang, Momo Diouf lead Italy to first win 

The AS Monaco center lifted Germany past Lithuania 

Daniel Theis's near-perfect game keeps Germany undefeated 

In a battle between undefeated teams in Group B, Germany downed Lithuania 88-107 to mathematically qualify to the Round of 16. Germany gave Lithuania no chance with a rock-solid performance in which AS Monaco center [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) played a critical role, leading his team to a no-doubt-about it 88-107 victory. Theis gave Germany the boost it needed throughout the game. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">😤 GERMANY ARE ON A MISSION 😤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/meUfS5ozht">pic.twitter.com/meUfS5ozht</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1961764918123745715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Theis had a strong start, getting 8 points in the opening 6 minutes to help Germany get a double-digit lead, 20-32, at the end of the first quarter. Theis kept rolling before the break, getting 14 points on 6 of 6 shooting in as many minutes, 4 rebounds and a PIR of 20 at halftime. Theis ended up playing a near-perfect game, getting 23 points of perfect shooting in as many minutes, 6 of 6 two-pointers, 3 of 3 three-pointers and 2 of 2 free throws. Theis added 6 rebounds, an assist, a steal, a block and a game-high PIR of 32. His 3 personal fouls prevented him from recording a perfect performance, statistically speaking: added to not missing any shot, Theis had no turnovers.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">💯 PERFECT 💯<br><br>Daniel Theis has not missed a single shot yet (19 PTS I 8/8 FG)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/3w69l8BLiD">pic.twitter.com/3w69l8BLiD</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1961760076198211736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Theis got plenty of help everywhere, as Dennis Schroeder led Germany with 26 points, Franz Wagner added 24 and Andreas Obst of FC Bayern Munich fired in 5 of 7 three-pointers on his way to 15 points. Germany ended up hitting 19 of 35 three-pointers (54.3% 3FG), way better than Lithuania (8 of 22 3FG, 36.4%) and dished 26 assists against just 7 turnovers. Rokas Jokubaitis of Bayern led Lithuania with 20 points. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">☔ Obst making it rain, AGAIN - is he the best shooter in the competition?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/GiceMtKB6B">pic.twitter.com/GiceMtKB6B</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1961749958089977991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


Theis has been playing better since EuroBasket 2025. He opened the tournament with 6 points and 5 rebounds in a 76-106 win over Montenegro, and got 11 points in just 13 minutes in a 105-83 victory over Sweden. Germany has broken the 100-point barrier in each and every game, confirming it is one of the teams in the mix to get the gold medal. After a great season with Monaco, in which Theis gave Monaco the spark it needed to reach the EuroLeague Championship Game for the first time in club, he now wants to add the EuroBasket 2025 to the World Cup title his national team won in 2023. 

The Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens forward is playing a key role for Coach Ataman's team 


Cedi Osman leads Turkiye to perfect start 

By winning its opening two games at EuroBasket 2025, Turkiye has both feet in the Round of 16. Less than 48 hours after downing Latvia on its home court, Turkiye rallied from an early deficit to top Czechia 92-78 and remain undefeated in Group A. [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/) has been unstoppable, showing that at age 30, he is right in the prime of his career.

Osman had a sensational game against Czechia, finishing with 21 points in just over 34 minutes. He capped a 14-0 Turkish run with a fast break layup to give his team a 35-28 margin. Turkiye did not trail after that, getting its second double-digit win in as many games. Alperen Sengun led the way with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. [Ercan Osmani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ercan-osmani/012710/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul added 16 points on 7 of 9 two-pointers in less than 23 minutes.

Panathinaikos fans did not have to wait long to see Osman's best version in this tournament. He had 7 first-quarter points against Latvia, helping Turkiye to a 21-24 lead. Neither Osman nor Turkiye slowed down during the game, winning all four quarters to record a 73-93 victory in already a pivotal game for both teams. Osman had a game-high 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. [Kenan Sipahi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenan-sipahi/005275/) of Bahcesehir College Istanbul added 19 points on 5 of 5 three-pointers, [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) had 15 and his Efes teammate [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/) had what could be the highlight play of the tournament with a poster dunk over Kristaps Porzingis.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">RİGA’DA KAZANARAK BAŞLIYORUZ!<br><br>Ay-Yıldızlılarımız, FIBA 2025 Avrupa Şampiyonası A Grubu ilk maçında ev sahibi Letonya&#39;yı 93-73’lük skorla mağlup ederek turnuvaya galibiyetle başlıyor. 💪<br><br>🇱🇻 Letonya 73-93 Türkiye 🇹🇷<a href="https://twitter.com/te_istasyonlari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@te_istasyonlari</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BuYolculukHepimizin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuYolculukHepimizin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/z8jiZMtSS5">pic.twitter.com/z8jiZMtSS5</a></p>&mdash; TBF (@TBF) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBF/status/1960745888512663803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


All eyes seem to be on Sengun but quietly, Osman has been just as important, averaging 20.5 points on outstanding shooting (75.0% 2FG, 46.2% 3FG). After seven seasons in the NBA, Osman returned to the EuroLeague with Panathinaikos and Coach Ataman. He got better as the season went on: despite averaging 9.6 points and a PIR of 8.5 in the 2024-25 campaign, Osman had 28 points in Game 5 of the playoffs against Efes, and got 22 in the semifinal against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. 

His EuroBasket 2025 performance only adds more evidence of what's coming next. Osman is ready to showcase his best basketball in the EuroLeague in the foreseeable future. 

The Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens forward is playing a key role for Coach Ergin Ataman's squad 


With the crowd at Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland, rocking, Jordan Loyd etched his name into Polish basketball history with a magnificent first half and an even better finish that sparked his team to a 95-105 defeat of Slovenia and Luka Doncic on Thursday evening. The AS Monaco guard scored 19 of his 32 points in the first half and then erupted late to wrap up the win in what was the opening game for both teams at the EuroBasket 2025.

Jordan Loyd's hot hand helps Poland past Slovenia

With the crowd at Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland, rocking, [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) etched his name into Polish basketball history with a magnificent first half and an even better finish that sparked his team to a 95-105 defeat of Slovenia and Luka Doncic on Thursday evening. The AS Monaco guard scored 19 of his 32 points in the first half and then erupted late to wrap up the win in what was the opening game for both teams at the EuroBasket 2025.

Loyd made 3 three-pointers and added 2 free throws in the opening quarter. Poland led by 4 after 10 minutes and then Loyd hit twice more from deep and sank another 2 foul shots in the second quarter to keep Poland ahead.

He was quiet in the third quarter, which he abandoned early when he was called for his fourth foul. Loyd spent nearly 8 minutes of game time on the bench before coming back with 6:05 left in the fourth quarter and Poland clinging to a 9-point lead.

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Loyd didn’t need long to get going. He sank a pair of free throws with 4:49 remaining. A minute later, Loyd split the defense and pulled up for his first basket of the second half. His fadeaway jumper over Dubai Basketball's Klemen Prepelic with 1:21 left to play all but iced the game. Then Loyd beat the shot clock with a triple with 51.1 that started the celebrations… And he added a final three from the top of the key with 10 seconds to go.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JORDAN LOYD IS AUTOMATIC (5 triples in 15 mins) ⚙️🦾<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/KoszKadra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KoszKadra</a> <a href="https://t.co/VYS1lCeHeG">pic.twitter.com/VYS1lCeHeG</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1961149592528912585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When the final buzzer sounded, Loyd could be seen smiling and thanking the Polish fans for their support, which helped him shoot as well from three-point land as he did from the foul line, making 7 of 8 at each distance in compiling a PIR of 30.

"Full team win," Loyd said after the game. "That goes for the staff, everybody that stepped foot on the floor, even guys that didn't play. Preparation like a lot goes into it. So, everybody that played tonight showed a lot of class showed a lot of effort, and our coaches and all of our staff got us prepared. I was just telling them we really knew the game plan and we executed, so I'm just happy that we were able to get the win."

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When told that his scoring effort was one of the best EuroBasket debuts in competition history, Loyd responded: "I guess that's kind of crazy. A lot of guys have come through and played in this tournament, so for me it's just… nice to be able to showcase what I can do. But it's just one game. I'm never too high, never too low. So, that's great that there's some stats and stuff like that out there, but for me, I've always been about winning, so if I would have had this game and we'd lost, it would have been a tough, tough day. So, as long as we win the game, I'm good."

Bahcesehir College Istanbul forward Mateusz Ponitka played a major role for the winners too with 23 points and 7 rebounds.

Doncic paced Slovenia in defeat with 34 points and 9 assists.

The AS Monaco guard scored 12 points in the final 5 minutes for Poland 

Roman Sorkin went off for a game-high 31 points using his combination off speed, toughness and outside shooting to lead Israel to an 83-71 victory in Katowice, Poland, in both teams' EuroBasket 2025 opener

Roman Sorkin went off to lead Israel over Iceland

The pressure was going to be on [Roman Sorkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/) on Thursday. The Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv big man is coming off his best EuroLeague season to date and is the starting center for the Israeli national team. In their EuroBasket 2025 opener, Sorkin was tasked with a matchup against Iceland's Tryggvi Hlinason, a mountain of a man at 2.15 meters, who has 7-centimeter advantage over Sorkin.

While Hlinason recorded 10 rebounds in the first half alone and posted an impressive line of 13 points and 14 boards for the game, there was no question about who won the matchup of centers. Sorkin went off for a game-high 31 points using his combination off speed, toughness and outside shooting to lead Israel to an 83-71 victory in Katowice, Poland.

Sorkin made 9 of 12 two-pointers and 4 of 7 threes. He added 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block to produce a PIR of 31. He became the first player at the tournament this year to score at least 30 points, too.

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"The first game is always important, because it's the first game," Sorkin said after the game. "You don't know what to expect. How to play, the crowd, the environment, everything. I think we completed the first mission of ours, but we're looking forward. We want to come humble to every game and try to win every game we play. We respect, of course, the opponent, but we want to make it each day, get better and win the day."

When asked about his scoring, Sorkin remained humble: "We won, so we are among the teams with 1-0 records. That’s more important. I’m happy, really happy guys. I scored a lot. It’s fun. I won’t lie, it’s fun. But it really doesn’t matter. This is the national team. We have more important goals."

Israel led by 4 points at the break before Sorkin scored the first 5 points of the third quarter, sparking a 9-0 run. He added another 2 triples in the quarter to stretch the lead to a 56-39. When Iceland fought back in the fourth quarter, Sorkin stepped up again with a triple and an alley-oop slam to shut the door on a comeback.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The perfect Avdija &amp; Sorkin connection doesn&#39;t exis...😮‍💨😮‍💨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/TherealIBBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TherealIBBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/2jSpiOAslU">pic.twitter.com/2jSpiOAslU</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1961065673246831051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Iceland head coach Craig Pedersen was asked after the game about how Israel's ability to play pick-and-pop basketball with Sorkin affected the game and limited Hlinason's overall impact.

"It creates some problems and we knew that \[Sorkin\] was a good shooter and he showed it today," Pedersen responded. "They gave us some problems with Sorkin shooting from the outside and he took advantage of it, and he had a very strong game."

In Israel’s second game of the tournament, on Saturday against host Poland, Sorkin will have another challenge going against former EuroLeague champion Aleksander Balcerowski. After watching what he was able to do against Iceland, Poland has been warned not to take the Israeli center lightly.

More EuroBasket 2025 news

The Maccabi big man became the first 30-point scorer at this year’s EuroBasket