Over the course of this week, Euroleague.net will be posting interviews with the Hoop District team captains

Getting to know: Valentina Vignali, Team Milan captain

The countdown to [Hoop District](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-basketball-launches-3x3-content-creators-tournament-hoop-district/) is well and truly on, with just three days until the action commences at the brand-new adidas arena in Paris, France. In order to get to know the team captains a little better, we had a fascinating conversation with Team Milan captain [Valentina Vignali](https://www.instagram.com/valentinavignali/).

This is the third of six "getting to know" interviews with the Hoop District captains that will be dropping this week. Here's what we found out.

**Tell us about yourself. Who is Valentina Vignali?**

"I am just a normal girl who loves basketball and fashion. I also love animals and travelling – I'm just a normal girl with a lot of hobbies."

**How did you fall in love with the game of basketball?**

"I fell in love with basketball when I was eight years old. I used to be a dancer when I was a kid, but then I realized that I was really, really tall – I was like 1.74m when I was like eight or nine years old. I remember one day they sent a letter to all the parents saying: ‘Do you want your kid to play this game or try this sport?' I got this letter from a basketball team in Rimini, my hometown, and my dad came to me saying: ‘Do you want to try it?' And I said: ‘Why not?' Then I started to play basketball in 1999. I kept it going with the ballerina stuff for a couple more years, but then I realized that I was really tall and my body was a problem to be a dancer instead of \[playing\] basketball; in the game of basketball, the fact I was so tall was good. I felt so comfortable playing basketball instead of being a dancer because a good dancer is not that tall. That's why I chose basketball at that point – I was 12, maybe – but I started at eight years old."

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C43FKciLg37/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C43FKciLg37/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C43FKciLg37/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**What made you want to become a basketball content creator?**

"I have to say that being a basketball content creator is a consequence of being a basketball player. I started using my social media, with Facebook back in 2008, 2009, when I was at school. I used to post pictures of me playing basketball, some videos, and also some modelling stuff because I became a model when I was 15 years old. Then I just kept it going!" 

**You were diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2013 at age 21. How did you react when you heard the news?**

"When I realized that I got cancer in 2013, I was 21. At the beginning, I didn't realize how serious the situation was because I was a kid. When you're 21, you think you're invincible, that nothing can stop you, and you're so young that you've got your whole life in front of you. I was like: 'I don't know what's going on. I don't know what I have to do.' But I wasn't scared, I wasn't scared at all. It's crazy. People around me were really, really scared: my parents, my friends, my ex-boyfriend. But I wasn't. I just thought: 'So, what am I supposed to do now?' Then, when the doctors discussed a type of therapy, I was like: 'Whatever I have to do, I'm going to do it.' My mindset was like that at that time."

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0w-iH5oduN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0w-iH5oduN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0w-iH5oduN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**What sort of impact did that diagnosis have on you in the years that followed? Does it still impact you today?**

"The fact that I had cancer doesn't impact me nowadays because when you've had cancer, you know that anything could happen. Even if you heal it, one day it could happen that when you have a check, the cancer could come back – it's a possibility. I just live my life being the most relaxed I can be and enjoying the small things. The problem was the first years after they told me that I had cancer because they were some really tough years. I had to take this medication, have the surgery, and basketball and my job were everything that I had. When you're 22-23 years old and you play basketball, you're in the middle of your career. I remember that I had to change the league I was in: I was in A \[first division\] and B \[second division\] and I had to play in C \[third division\], but I never stopped playing basketball, I just switched leagues to try to play. But it wasn't easy. I remember during the treatment after the surgery, \[the effects\] lasted for two years. I was really, really weak and I had to sleep 15-18 hours per day, but I always wanted to go to practice with my teammates. But I was really weak, so sometimes I used to run for 15 minutes and then I was done. I couldn't do any more, and it was tough. sometimes I felt really cold, sometimes really hot – the temperature of your body, because of the thyroid, was really tough."

 

**Did basketball act like a safe haven during that time?**

"Basketball was a safe place for me during that time because on my worst days, when I was thinking that I can't get up from my bed, I would think: 'Okay, at 6-7, I have my practice with my teammates. My teammates are rooting for me, they're waiting for me. Even if it's just 10 minutes or 20 minutes running or shooting, they're waiting for me, so Valentina, please get up from this bed and go to practice.' So yes, it was a safe place. The doctors, treatment and everything saved me, but basketball saved my mind."

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3LARc1I8Re/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3LARc1I8Re/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3LARc1I8Re/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**What is your style of play on the court?**

"I am a power forward. I play 'four', sometimes I play in the post. Usually the girls that play the 'five' are bigger and heavier than me, so I used to play a little bit more outside as a 'four', a power forward. I love shooting!"

 **Which Hoop District team could be the trickiest to face?**

"Oh, this is a tough question. Maybe the Spanish team. In Spain, basketball is big, so maybe they're ready for the war. I'll go with the Spanish team."

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsgzILIoHFZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsgzILIoHFZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsgzILIoHFZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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 **What does it mean for you to be a team captain?**

"I've never been a captain of a team because of my behavior and who I am. I'm really emotional, I get angry, I get sad sometimes, I get mad sometimes, so I'm really emotional. Every time the coach was looking for a captain, he didn't choose me, so this is my first time. It will be a challenge for me to stay quiet and try to do my best for my teammates. They're all friends, though, so I'll try to do my best!"

With the regular season hurtling towards a finish, teams are aiming to take part in the postseason, one way or another. Here are the teams with possibilities to reach some postseason goal this week.

Postseason possibilities: Up to five teams can join playoffs in Round 32

## Playoff Possibilities

#### REAL MADRID

[Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2023-24) (25-6) already clinched first place.

#### FC BARCELONA

Despite losing three of its last five games, [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2023-24) (20-11) can ink its name into the top six in Round 32 should it win its road game at FC Bayern Munich (13-18) on Thursday and get a little help. Barca's victory will be enough when it happens if Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (18-13) loses to Valencia Basket (14-17) on Wednesday. Should Maccabi win, though, losses by either Olympiacos (19-12) in its visit to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (14-17) on Thursday or Fenerbahce (19-12) at home vs. ALBA Berlin (5-26) on Friday will suffice. In all cases, Barca must win in Munich, however. Otherwise, it must wait to qualify for the playoffs. In no case can Barcelona also clinch home-court advantage in the playoffs this week.

#### AS MONACO

[AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2023-24) (20-11) is the only team that can reach the playoffs this week without winning its own game, a French League derby visit to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (7-24) on Thursday. Monaco has a few options to qualify if it wins that game. One is if Maccabi loses. Another is if Barca loses. And a third is if both Fenerbahce and Olympiacos lose. Nonetheless, Monaco can sneak into the playoffs despite losing if Maccabi loses, while Panathinaikos (20-11), which visits Virtus (17-14) on Friday, wins. Whatever happens, Monaco has no option for home-court advantage in the playoffs in Round 32.

#### PANATHINAIKOS AKTOR ATHENS

Much like the other would-be qualifiers this week, [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2023-24) (20-11) will see the door open to the playoffs with a victory if Maccabi has already lost by the time of tip off in Bologna on Friday. If Maccabi has already won, the only options for the Greens will be if both Olympiacos and Fenerbahce have lost already. Panathinaikos has no chance to lock up a top-four finish in Round 32.

#### FENERBAHCE BEKO ISTANBUL

Well before it plays on Friday, [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2023-24)'s chances of reaching the playoffs this week are conditioned on Maccabi losing on Wednesday. If Maccabi wins, a victory against ALBA at home on Friday won't be enough for Fenerbahce. But even if Maccabi has already lost, Fenerbahce needs either Olympiacos to win on Thursday or Virtus to lose on Friday, as well, in order to secure a top-six finish. Home-court advantage is out of reach for Fenerbahce in Round 32.

#### OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS

Besides needing Maccabi to lose on Wednesday, [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2023-24) must win at Partizan and get help from other results in order to make the playoffs this week. Assuming both, Olympiacos can qualify if both Barcelona and Fenerbahce also win. Failing that, its own win combined with losses by Maccabi and Virtus will be enough for the Reds to advance, but with no top-four option yet.

#### Play-In Showdown Possibilities

#### VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA

Virtus (17-14) has plenty of incentive going into its Friday home game with Panathinaikos, because a win will guarantee the Italian club at least a place in the Play-In Showdown. However, Virtus might not even need to win to claim that achievement if two of three other teams lose. Any combination of Valencia being defeated by Maccabi on Wednesday, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (14-17) falling at Zalgiris Kaunas (13-18) on Thursday or Anadolu Efes Istanbul losing to host Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (16-15), also on Thursday, will be enough for Virtus to clinch a top-10 finish.

#### BASKONIA VITORIA-GASTEIZ

For Baskonia, a place in the postseason this week is very simple. Defeating Efes at home on Thursday guarantees Baskonia's place in the Play-In Showdown.

#### Elimination Possibilities

Meanwhile, several teams run the risk of being eliminated from postseason contention should they lose their games this week, although several of those would stay alive if other teams win.

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) (13-18) has the most precarious position, because a loss at home to Milan by more than six points would spell the end to its Play-In Showdown options. Losing at all is a problem for Zalgiris, too, because if either Valencia or Partizan win, the Lithuanian team, then would see all postseason options disappear.

[FC Bayern](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/) (13-18) has a similar problem to Zalgiris. A loss at home to Barcelona would stop its postseason dreams, but only if both Partizan and Valencia win.

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) (14-16) has things a tad less risky. First it must lose, but then both Valencia and Partizan must win, and then Bayern must lose. Only that four-result combination would keep Efes from remaining in contention for the Play-In Showdown.

FC Bayern Munich v FC Barcelona (2024-03-28T19:30:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v AS Monaco (2024-03-28T20:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-03-29T19:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-03-29T19:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v ALBA Berlin (2024-03-29T17:45:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-03-28T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Valencia Basket (2024-03-27T19:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-03-28T19:30:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-03-28T18:00:00.000Z)

In a Wednesday tipoff, Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (18-13) will attempt to continue its push for the top six against a Valencia Basket team (14-17) that's locked in a four-way tie for tenth place.

Preview: Maccabi Tel Aviv BC vs. Valencia Basket

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-valencia-basket/E2023/283/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-facts-tel-val/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-notes-tel-val/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-prequotes-tel-val/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-32/)

Maccabi has won five in a row, mostly recently cruising past Bayern behind 17 points from ex-Valencia forward [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/). The Spanish team is a major underdog after losing five of its last six games. Maccabi has averaged 92 points during its five-game winning streak, so Valencia will need its best defensive game from the likes of backcourt veteran forward [Victor Claver](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/victor-claver/000556/) and all-action [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/). The Spanish team did exactly that when the teams met in October, winning 75-66 despite nobody scoring more than [Damien Inglis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/damien-inglis/003960/)'s 11 points.

[Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Valencia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/statistics/pam/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Jasiel Rivero vs. Damien Inglis: The Maccaci man, facing his former team, will do plenty of battling in the low post with Valencia's powerful forward.

Valencia Basket pulled off another huge defensive display to hold Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv to 66 points and secure its third consecutive win this season.

Last game: Valencia Basket-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

In a Wednesday tipoff, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (18-13) will attempt to continue its push for the top six against a Valencia Basket team (14-17) that's locked in a four-way tie for tenth place.

Red-hot Maccabi seeks to take advantage of an undermanned Valencia

A key battle for play-in qualification will see two in-form teams clash as Zalgiris Kaunas (13-18) hosts Olimpia Milano (14-17). 

Preview: Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Olimpia Milano

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/285/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-facts-zal-mil/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-notes-zal-mil/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-prequotes-zal-mil/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-32/)

Both are coming off perfect-double round weeks to boost their top 10 chances, and Zalgiris knows that any victory would also be enough to take the head-to-head advantage after winning 70-83 in Milan in November. [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/) starred with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists on that occasion, and he'll look to give more all-round leadership after playing a big part in last week's impressive win over Baskonia. Milan's confidence has never been higher after downing Monaco and Fenerbahce last week, and veteran big man [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) has found his best form of the season with 8-of-10 two-point shots converted across those games.

[Zalgiris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/statistics/zal/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Milan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/statistics/mil/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Lukas Lekavicius vs. Stefano Tonut: These two bench players could end up having a decisive role in this crucial clash between two play-in-chasing teams.

It's a meeting between two of the four teams tied for 12th, rapidly improving Milan pursue another success in the midst of their resurgence at the expense of Zalgiris, which are enduring a troublesome period having fallen in five of the last six EuroLeague encounters, including three straight on the road.

Last game: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 11 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

A key battle for play-in qualification will see two in-form teams clash as Zalgiris Kaunas (13-18) hosts EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (14-17). 

Zalgiris, Milan face off in a key game in the play-in race

Two teams desperate for a return to winning ways meet in Munich as FC Bayern Munich (13-18) takes on Barça Basket (20-11).

Preview: FC Bayern Munich vs. Barça Basket

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-fc-barcelona/E2023/280/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-facts-mun-bar/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-notes-mun-bar/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-prequotes-mun-bar/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-32/)

A pair of road defeats last week means Barca risks dropping out of the top four with another setback, while Bayern also lost twice in the double-round week to complicate its top 10 chances. Two veteran Spanish stars will attempt to dominate in different ways, with Bayern hoping to control the paint through [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) while the visitor looks for orchestration from [Ricky Rubio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ricky-rubio/lfw/). Barca cruised to victory, 98-59, when the teams met in October behind 15 points from [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/). Bayern needs to rediscover its offensive identity this week after averaging just 68.8 points in the last three games.

[Bayern Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/statistics/mun/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Vladimir Lucic vs. Jabari Parker: Bayern's experienced captain will come up against Barcelona's latest star.

FC Barcelona put on a show at Palau Blaugrana on Friday night by overwhelming FC Bayern Munich 98-59, which extends the Spanish side's unbeaten start to the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. 

Last game: FC Barcelona-FC Bayern Munich | Round 4 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Two teams desperate for a return to winning ways meet in Munich as FC Bayern Munich (13-18) takes on FC Barcelona (20-11).

Bayern faces Barcelona in must-win clash for both teams

Another matchup of vital importance to both teams takes place in Belgrade with KK Partizan (14-17) hosting Olympiacos BC (19-13).

Preview: KK Partizan vs. Olympiacos BC

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/284/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-facts-par-oly/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-notes-par-oly/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-prequotes-par-oly/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-32/)

The Reds edged an overtime thriller, 98-94, when the teams met in October behind 19 points from sharpshooter [Giannoulis Larentzakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/giannoulis-larentzakis/010392/), and will look for more frontcourt dominance from [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) after the Reds grabbed 18 offensive rebounds in the first meeting. Partizan's outstanding home form was disturbed with a defeat to league leader Real Madrid last time out, and Zeljko Obradovic's men will look for the energy and versatility of [James Nunnally](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/james-nunnally/007400/), who had 16 points and 5 rebounds in that game, as it aims for a crucial home win.

[Partizan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/statistics/par/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Olympiacos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/statistics/oly/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Bruno Caboclo vs. Moustapha Fall: The Brazilian big man will be looking to test his wits against Olympiacos's dominant center.

Olympiacos Piraeus ground out an enthralling 98-94 overtime home win against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 4 to snap a two-game losing streak. 

Last game: Olympiacos Piraeus-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | Round 4 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Another matchup of vital importance to both teams takes place in Belgrade with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (14-17) hosting Olympiacos Piraeus (19-13).

Heavyweight clash between Partizan, Olympiacos in store

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (16-15) will look to recover from a pair of losses last week by defending its home court against an in-form Anadolu Efes SK team (14-17) pushing hard for a top 10 finish.

Preview: Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Anadolu Efes SK

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/282/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-facts-bas-ist/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-notes-bas-ist/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-prequotes-bas-ist/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-32/)

A backcourt shootout is guaranteed between [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/), who leads the league in three-pointers made with 3.6 per game, and the competition leader in PIR [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) (20.3 per night). Larkin's 23 points were not enough for victory when the teams last met, as Howard outscored him with 28 and [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) delivered 14 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists to power an 80-88 road victory in Istanbul. Baskonia has won four straight at home, and another success this week would be enough to guarantee a top 10 finish for head coach Dusko Ivanovic's men.

[Baskonia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/statistics/bas/?season=2023-24) | [Efes Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/statistics/ist/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Codi Miller-McIntyre vs. Darius Thompson: Two of the best playmakers in the EuroLeague face off at Buesa Arena, the Efes man's former home.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 16 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Last game: Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 16 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (16-15) will look to recover from a pair of losses last week by defending its home court against an in-form Anadolu Efes Istanbul team (14-17) pushing hard for a top 10 finish.

Baskonia welcomes a revived Efes to Buesa Arena

A French League derby will see improving LDLC ASVEL (7-24) attempt to disrupt the top four ambitions of AS Monaco Basket (20-11).

Preview: LDLC ASVEL vs. AS Monaco Basket

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-as-monaco/E2023/281/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-facts-asv-mco/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-game-notes-asv-mco/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs32-prequotes-asv-mco/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-32/)

The game features two of the competition's three all-time leading scorers, with [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) needing just 12 points to overtake Vassilis Spanoulis and follow [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) into second place. [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) was the key performer when Monaco beat ASVEL 80-70 earlier in the season, using his all-round skills to deliver 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals. With a 9-7 record on its travels, Monaco has the league's second-best record on the road, so will have no fear as it travels to face an ASVEL team which has just four home wins all season.

[ASVEL Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/statistics/asv/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Monaco Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/statistics/mco/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Nando De Colo vs. Elie Okobo: The ASVEL star will be looking to use his experience and guile up against his skillful compatroit.

Attention moves to France for a derby that may exhibit stalwarts of the European stage with two of the four players to have reached 4,000 points on show. Can ASVEL's Nando De Colo help build momentum after a maiden success of 23/24 or will Mike James power Monaco to a fourth straight success?

Last game: AS Monaco-LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | Round 7 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

A French League derby will see improving LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (7-24) attempt to disrupt the top four ambitions of AS Monaco (20-11).

ASVEL, Monaco meet in the sixth-ever French Derby

DiBartolomeo, Cohen take part in the ‘Draw Your Teammate’ challenge: 'How do you draw a mouth?'

Some people are better artists than others, but it's probably safe to say that the artistry of both DiBartolomeo and Cohen is better appreciated on a basketball court! Make sure to buckle up, because you’re bound to have a smile on your face after watching this video.

 

"I want to say beforehand, John, that you are much better looking than I am drawing," explains Cohen.

 

If this is not a warning sign, we don't know what is. Cohen does his best with the marker and the whiteboard, but DiBartolomeo doesn't seem too convinced about it.

 

The same is true the other way, however, when Cohen opens his eyes to see DiBartolomeo's progress.

 

"What? My face is a perfect circle?" he asks.

 

"I was trying the ears and then to connect the..." DiBartolomeo apologizes.

 

"Don't spend too much time on the ears, that's a lost cause," Cohen replies.

 

When it's time to check the final result, there's no question about it.

 

"I look terrifying!" exclaims DiBartolomeo.

Two teammates at Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, John Di Bartolomeo and Jake Cohen, sit down side by side for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s ‘Draw Your Teammate’ challenge.

John Di Bartolomeo and Jake Cohen take part in the 'Draw your teammate' Challenge!

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv teammates John DiBartolomeo and Jake Cohen sat down side by side for the fourth edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s ‘Draw Your Teammate’ challenge.