EuroLeague transition scoring is on the rise at midseason, with Valencia leading the fast-break charge and Barcelona excelling in defensive stops. Discover how pace and efficiency are shaping the standings.
EuroLeague stats review, transition scoring, Valencia Basket, FC Barcelona defense, EuroLeague trends, fast break efficiency, basketball analytics


Stats Review: Valencia’s fastbreak formula and Barça’s defensive wall

The midpoint of the EuroLeague Regular Season has arrived and now is a good time to check in with the trends shaping the league at the moment.  With parity as healthy as ever - with two wins separating first and 10th place and league-wide offensive efficiency rebounding from a brief lull to once again sit within striking distance of the modern record, the league’s two defining trends have held as well as could be expected through the first half of the season.

The source of that offensive rebound in recent rounds, however, was perhaps not as predictable, nor was its subsequent impact on the standings.

It is extremely difficult to push tempo in the EuroLeague. Defenses are simply too competitive to allow for the slippage in intensity that tends to lead to easy opportunities in the open floor.  However, since the move to 18 teams during the 2019-20 regular season, transition scoring has risen incrementally. That was not surprising when efficiency took some time to recover in the years following the pandemic and with several of the new teams joining since then, but even with efficiency at peak levels this year, transition scoring has continued to climb. 

While 12.2 points per game in transition is only a modest jump from the 11.6 per game teams averaged a year ago, the fact that teams are finding success pushing the ball is surprising. It cannot be traced to the new additions to the league. While [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) leads all teams in scoring 17.9 transition points per game, [Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/hta/) is scoring only 7.7 points per game - the lowest mark of any team since the 2022-23 season. There are a few more subtle factors at play: teams have been marginally more aggressive to push off misses and makes and have done a better job taking care of the ball when they have looked to run.

The growth of transition play, however subtle, has nonetheless opened the door for teams to build an advantage there, and no team has done a better job pushing to score and preventing their opponents from doing so than Valencia, which rose to the top of the standings last week. Leading all teams in transition scoring while ranking fifth in points allowed, its consistency shooting the three in the open floor and efforts to get back and identify shooters on the perimeter has already helped Valencia nearly eclipse its total win count from the team's most recent EuroLeague season.

[FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) falls on the other end of the spectrum in terms of how it has built its scoring margin; Barça has allowed only 7.6 points per game in transition - one of the better efforts over the last decade.  Given that it ranks right around average in offensive turnover rate and all teams are vulnerable to the occasional fast break runout, the work Barcelona has done on the margins to not only prevent teams from finding opportunities in early offense but force turnovers as well is nothing short of spectacular. 

While speed is a key characteristic of Paris Basketball’s offense as it plays at the fastest pace in recent EuroLeague history, teams like [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/), [Virtus Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-bologna/vir/), and [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) have been able find an advantage with their tempo as well. Efficiency plays a role in the success of those teams as Zalgiris, in particular, has shot the lights out when it has pushed, and Monaco has managed to protect the rim at an exceptional level when running back on defense. 

Although transition opportunities remain difficult to come by many nights in the EuroLeague, the teams above have found multiple routes to a rare advantage.

Valencia leads the charge in transition scoring while Barcelona locks down the fast break

Stats review: Valencia’s fastbreak formula and Barça’s defensive wall

Olympiacos Piraeus strengthened its interior presence by signing athletic center Tyrique Jones, who arrives after a standout season and a half with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Olympiacos overhauls frontcourt with Tyrique Jones

[Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) strengthened its interior presence by signing athletic center [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/), who arrives after a standout season and a half with [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/). 

Jones (2.06 meters, 28 years old) brings proven EuroLeague experience and physicality to the Reds’ frontline. The sides agreed on a contract through the end of the 2027-28 season.

Jones appeared in 17 EuroLeague games this season for Partizan, averaging 10.6 points on 67.0% two-point shooting, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks in 23:36 minutes per game for a PIR of 16.2. His performance included a 17-point, 7-rebound effort against Olympiacos. However, Jones is one of the players who fell out of favor with the Partizan fans after the departure of beloved head coach Zeljko Obradovic.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">✍️🏾Η ΚΑΕ Ολυμπιακός ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του <a href="https://twitter.com/TyriqueJones_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TyriqueJones_</a> . Ο Αμερικανός σέντερ υπέγραψε με την ομάδα μας συμβόλαιο συνεργασίας διάρκειας 2.5 ετών.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> announces the signing of Tyrique Jones. The American center has signed a 2.5-year contract with our team.…</p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/2008084073210872293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In his first season with Partizan, Jones played in 32 games and posted 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks per contest while ranking among the league’s most efficient scorers.

Before joining Partizan in 2024, Jones made his EuroLeague debut with Anadolu Efes Istanbul during the 2023-24 campaign. He first burst onto the continental scene with Turk Telekom Ankara as a 2022-23 All-EuroCup Second Team selection. Jones was also that season’s Turkish League MVP and helped the club reach the EuroCup Finals.

The American big man played college basketball at Xavier and began his professional career in 2020 with Wonju DB Promy in Korea. He later played for Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel and Victoria Libertas Pesaro in Italy before moving to Turkiye.

More Olympiacos News

Jones arrives after a season and a half in Belgrade, where he ranked among the EuroLeague’s most efficient scorers and rebounders

FC Bayern Munich announced on Sunday that guard Spencer Dinwiddie’s contract has been terminated by mutual agreement

Spencer Dinwiddie leaves Bayern

FC Bayern Munich announced on Sunday that guard [Spencer Dinwiddie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/spencer-dinwiddie/014162/)'s contract has been terminated by mutual agreement. Dinwiddie, 32, originally left the team before Christmas due to a serious illness in his family and with the consent of the sporting management. It has now been decided that he will not return.

The guard made his EuroLeague debut this season with Bayern after playing 11 seasons in the NBA. He averaged 11.7 points and 2.7 assists in 11 EuroLeague games.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">🤜🤛 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐊, 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑!<br><br>Spencer Dinwiddie kehrt nicht zu den Bayern zurück, aus persönlichen Gründen wurde der ursprünglich bis Saisonende gültige Vertrag des 32-Jährigen soeben einvernehmlich aufgelöst: <a href="https://t.co/wrM45b8agv">https://t.co/wrM45b8agv</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SDinwiddie_25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SDinwiddie_25</a> will not return to… <a href="https://t.co/Mmn57tjiaX">pic.twitter.com/Mmn57tjiaX</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/2007913498916143236?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I would like to thank the organization, the team, and the fans. Despite the recent challenging phase of the season, I felt very comfortable in Munich. Unfortunately, I am currently not in a position to play,” Dinwiddie said in a statement released by the club.

“We thank Spencer for the commitment he gave us. But sometimes other things are more important than sport. Health comes above everything else, and we sincerely hope that everything will turn out well for Spencer and his family in 2026,” Bayern sports director Dragan Tarlac said.

More Bayern basketball news

The guard was the team's second-leading scorer

Virtus Bologna has locked up one of the top prospects in Italian basketball with the signing of Francesco Ferrari to a multi-year deal. 

Virtus invests in top prospect Francesco Ferrari

Virtus Bologna has locked up one of the top prospects in Italian basketball with the signing of Francesco Ferrari to a multi-year deal. Ferrari (2.04 meters, 20 years old) was the MVP of the U20 EuroBasket 2025 tournament last summer in Greece after averaging 15.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He shined brightest with 26 points and 2 late three-pointers in the final against Lithuania to lead Italy to the gold medal.

Ferrari arrives from UEB Gesteco Cividale, where he spent the past season and a half. He averaged 13.9 points and 6.7 rebounds so far this season in the Italian second division. Ferrari played in the youth system at College Basketball Borgomanero before joining Cividale. He has played for Italy's youth teams at the U18 and U20 levels and debuted for Italy’s senior national team last month.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">𝐇𝐄’𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 🌪️<br>Francesco Ferrari è un nuovo giocatore dei Campioni d’Italia 🤍🖤 <a href="https://t.co/1pywDmFMDd">pic.twitter.com/1pywDmFMDd</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Bologna (@VirtusBo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusBo/status/2007844555773854106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Virtus Bologna news

The forward was the MVP of last summer’s U20 EuroBasket

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul announces the return of Nando De Colo for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The two-time EuroLeague champion and former MVP rejoins from ASVEL to boost the team’s playoff push.

Nando De Colo’s return provides experience and excellence for Fenerbahce 

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) has announced the signing of star guard [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. 

De Colo (1.96 meters, 38 years old), who arrives from [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/), returns to Fenerbahce for a second stint after previously starring for the club between 2019 and 2022.

De Colo has been in excellent form for ASVEL this season. He has averaged 13.6 points, 4.7 assists and 1.0 steal in 13 games for a PIR of 17.8. He is 11th in both average assists and PIR. De Colo is second in the league in per-minute PIR, with a prorated average of 34.4 per 40 minutes. He also leads the league in free throw shooting at 98.3.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Pardon, bu saatte başka bir iletişim planımız vardı 😏<br><br>Nando De Colo yeniden Fenerbahçe Beko’da! 💛💙✍️ <a href="https://t.co/xFHZLJUAj2">pic.twitter.com/xFHZLJUAj2</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/2007906096439275851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The French playmaker brings a wealth of experience and versatility to Fenerbahce’s backcourt. A two-time EuroLeague champion and the 2016 EuroLeague MVP, De Colo is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished guards in European basketball. His ability to score, create for teammates, and lead on both ends of the floor makes him a valuable addition as Fenerbahce looks to strengthen its position in the EuroLeague standings.

De Colo spent the last two seasons with ASVEL, where he continued to showcase his trademark efficiency and leadership. He is the EuroLeague’s all-time leader in free-throw accuracy (93.4%); ranks second in career scoring with (5,026 points), PIR (5,704), and free throws made (1,240); fourth place in steals (373); eighth in two-point shots made (1,095); and ninth in assists (1,265) and three-pointers made (532).

From the archive: Nando De Colo highlights

Now in his 13th EuroLeague season, De Colo has played for four clubs in the competition. He debuted with Valencia Basket in 2010. After a detour to the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors, he returned to the EuroLeague with CSKA Moscow in 2014 and spent five seasons there.

De Colo helped CSKA reach the Final Four in all five campaigns and was an All-EuroLeague selection in all of them, including three times on the All-EuroLeague First Team. In 2015-16, De Colo had a season for the ages as he was named the EuroLeague MVP, Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy winner, and Final Four MVP after leading CSKA to the crown. He won his second championship with CSKA in 2019. 

De Colo also won the EuroCup with Valencia in 2010. He helped CSKA to five domestic championships, captured a league title and the Turkish Cup with Fenerbahce and won the French Cup with ASVEL.

As a long-time member of the French national team, De Colo won the gold medal at EuroBasket 2013, twice captured Olympic silver medals among his six medals at major competitions.

More from Fenerbahce

The French star rejoins Fenerbahce after three and a half seasons with ASVEL, adding leadership and scoring for the playoff race

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Look back at all the action from Round 19 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos of the week: Round 19

A rock-solid individual effort in an impressive road victory earned Wade Baldwin of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul the honor of being the Round 19 MVP with a PIR of 29.

Round 19 MVP: Wade Baldwin, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

A rock-solid individual effort in an impressive road victory earned [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul the honor of being the Round 19 MVP with a PIR of 29.

Baldwin helped Fenerbahce secure a 93-108 road victory over Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, finishing with 24 points on 7-of-14 two-pointers, 2-of-4 three-pointers, and 4-of-5 free throws. He also contributed 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block and 5 fouls drawn. This performance marked Baldwin’s eighth MVP award with four different teams: FC Bayern Munich, Baskonia, Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, and now Fenerbahce.

Despite [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens posting the highest PIR of the round (40), his team lost 82-87 at home to archrival Olympiacos Piraeus. Nunn scored 32 points on 8-of-8 two-pointers, 3-of-8 three-pointers, and 7-of-7 free throws, adding 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 6 fouls drawn.

[Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) of Paris Basketball recorded a PIR of 30 in his team's 94-89 road loss against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, scoring 26 points. Hifi also added 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 10 fouls drawn.

Other top individual performances in Round 19 include [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul with a PIR of 28, as well as [Jordan Nwora](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-nwora/013363/) of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, [David McCormack](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-mccormack/013386/) of FC Bayern Munich and [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) of Olympiacos, each with a PIR of 27. Weiler-Babb had 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals and 4 fouls drawn in Efes’s 65-87 defeat to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, a game that saw Nwora post 24 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 fouls drawn for the visitors. McCormack amassed 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 8 fouls drawn as Bayern beat Maccabi 95-71, while Milutinov recorded 10 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 4 fouls drawn in Olympiacos’s 82-87 win at Panathinaikos in the Greek derby.

### Individual highs: Kendrick Nunn, Panathinaikos, 32 points

Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos was the top scorer of the round with 32 points. Nadir Hifi of Paris currently leads the competition in scoring with an average of 20.0 points per game.

Three players grabbed 9 rebounds in Round 19: Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos, his teammate Nikola Milutinov, and Mbaye Ndiaye of ASVEL. Milutinov and Chima Moneke of Crvena Zvezda are tied for the lead in rebounds per game, each averaging 7.7.

Codi Miller-McIntyre of Crvena Zvezda dished out 9 assists, the most of anyone in Round 19. McKinley Wright of Dubai Basketball leads the EuroLeague in assists this season, averaging 6.9 per game.

Nick Weiler-Babb of Efes recorded 5 steals, leading the category for Round 19. Alpha Diallo of AS Monaco is currently ranked first overall with 1.7 steals per game.

Walter Tavares of Real Madrid had 4 blocks in this round. He also leads the league in blocks, averaging 2.1 per game.

There were no double-doubles in Round 19.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul signs Gabonese big man Chris Silva after standout stints with AEK Athens and Bnei Herzliya.

Fenerbahce fortifies frontcourt with Chris Silva signing 

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) has bolstered its interior rotation by signing big man Chris Silva for the remainder of the season, with an option for another year. 

Silva (2.06 meters, 29 years old) brings size, athleticism, and versatility to the reigning champions as they continue their push up the standings.

The Gabonese native arrives from AEK Athens, where he averaged 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds in the Greek League and posted 14.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in the Basketball Champions League earlier this season. His ability to impact both ends of the floor made him one of AEK’s most reliable performers.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Chris Silva Fenerbahçe Beko’da! 💛💙✍️<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/q2epry4xnj">https://t.co/q2epry4xnj</a> <a href="https://t.co/xwno5M9EXe">pic.twitter.com/xwno5M9EXe</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/2007369250521203138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Last season, Silva starred in Israel for Bnei Herzliya, producing 15.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game for a PIR of 19.7. He ranked sixth in the league in PIR, fifth in blocks, and sixth in rebounds, underscoring his all-around impact.

A First Team All-SEC selection at the University of South Carolina, Silva began his professional career in the NBA with the Miami Heat. He also played for the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in the NBA; for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Iowa Wolves and College Park Skyhawks in the G League; Piratas de Quebradillas and Mets de Guaynabo in Puerto Rico; Herzliya in Israel; and AEK in Greece.

Silva is now poised to make his EuroLeague debut with Fenerbahce.

More Fenerbahce news

The 29-year-old big man ranked among the leaders in PIR and rebounds in Israel last season and started this season strong in Greece

EuroLeague fans, we have our 19th winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Slobodan Majkic beat everyone else in Round 19 with his team Roda Stjarnan, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 247.45.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 19 winner

EuroLeague fans, we have our 19th winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Slobodan Majkic beat everyone else in Round 19 with his team Roda Stjarnan, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 247.45.

Slobodan had the following lineup: Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens as team captain, Olympiacos Piraeus duo of Sasha Vezenkov and Nikola Milutinov, Valencia Basket's Nate Reuvers and Nick Weiler-Babb of Anadolu Efes Istanbul as his starters. Sylvain Francisco of Zalgiris Kaunas was his sixth man. Slobodan's bench players were FC Bayern Munich's David McCormack, Paris Basketball's Sebastian Herrera, Virtus Bologna's Nicola Akele and LDLC ASVEL Vileurbanne's Edwin Jackson. Bayern play-caller Svetislav Pesic was Slobodan's head coach.

The prize for finishing first in Round 19 is a VIP EuroLeague TV Subscription for the 2026-27 Season, and an automatic entry to a lottery to win two tickets to the 2027 Final Four.

Trades are now open for Round 20 of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/). Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season. You can either trade up to four players, or a head coach and three players.

The first game of Round 20, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Olympiacos Piraeus, is scheduled to tip off on Tuesday, January 6 at 18:45 CET. This marks the next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner! To help with that, watch the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge podcast weekly on the [EuroLeague's YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@euroleague) and on all audio platforms.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager. 