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

Getting to know: Rookicks, Team Paris captain

The excitement is already building for the inaugural [Hoop District](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-basketball-launches-3x3-content-creators-tournament-hoop-district/) tournament, which gets underway this coming Saturday, March 30, in Paris, France. So, ahead of the event at the brand-new Adidas Arena, it’s time to get to know the team captains a little better.

In the first of six ‘getting to know’ interviews that will be dropping this week, we got to speak to Reda Ouahbi, otherwise known as [‘@rookicks\_’](https://www.instagram.com/rookicks_/?hl=en), who is the captain for Team Paris. Here’s what we found out.

**Tell us about yourself. Who is @rookicks\_?**

“@rookicks\_ is a content creator that loves basketball a lot. I really love basketball, and it is basketball that drove me to love sneakers. Since I was four years old, I’ve been in love with basketball – watching a lot of games, playing basketball outside and obviously sharing my passion with all of the French community. I’m a basketballholic!”

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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4xhugks_lJ/?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/C4xhugks_lJ/?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/C4xhugks_lJ/?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 🇫🇷 REDA - BASKETBALL &amp; SNEAKERS (@rookicks_)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**How did you come up with the name Rookicks? What does it mean?**

“My first name is Reda, so with an ‘R’, and my last name is ‘Ouahbi’, so it’s like ‘oo’ – it’s like the first two letters of my last name. And ‘kicks’ for kicks \[sneakers\]. It’s quite simple, but it sounds good so I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’”

**What made you want to become a basketball content creator?**

“I played basketball for a long time and I was the guy who always had different sneakers. People like wearing regular sneakers, but I was coming with new colorways and knew every product that came on the market, so people around me were like, ‘You need to advise people on how to choose their basketball shoes and stuff.’ That’s where my journey began. Then I kind of expanded all of the content I’m doing by covering big events, like EuroLeague events – I’m a basketball fan, so it was the next step to \[take after previously\] just talking about sneakers.”

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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4lSw4fscrG/?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/C4lSw4fscrG/?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/C4lSw4fscrG/?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 🇫🇷 REDA - BASKETBALL &amp; SNEAKERS (@rookicks_)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**Is there a particular moment during your time as an influencer that particularly stands out?**

“To be honest, there are so many. But last year I went to a EuroLeague game, it was Olympiacos against Panathinaikos, and it was so loud. The crowd was crazy! I was like, ‘Is that the real atmosphere? It’s like that?’ Because I saw a lot of NBA games, French League games, and it was not as loud as the derby in Greece, so that was a big memory for me.”

**Have any EuroLeague or EuroCup players inspired you?**

“There’s a lot. Nando De Colo was one of the top players that inspired me because he comes from not the same city but the same state, kind of: the north of France, like me. There’s obviously one of the top young players in the EuroCup, Nadir Hifi, who plays really well. I know him as a friend so we talk a lot, even before he was a pro player. He’s very inspiring because he’s young, he plays really well, and I can’t wait to see him playing in the EuroLeague in the next few years.”

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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbnRuVUMndt/?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/CbnRuVUMndt/?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; 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**Which former or current EuroLeague player most closely resembles your style of play?**

“That’s a good question. I’m a guy that loves shooting… and I need to be humble. I’m not going to say a player like Mike James! I would say a point guard who passes the ball. I love a guy named Marcelinho Huertas \[a nine-year EuroLeague veteran\]. I know he’s not a young player, but I love his energy, I love the way he plays, and I know he’s a really professional player. He takes every day and every training session seriously, so I’ll say Marcelinho Huertas.”

**What criteria did you look for when picking your team?**

“I’m kind of an entrepreneur, so I need to go for the cash prize. There were two things I looked for: creativity and being a content creator, i.e. people I follow so that we can create basketball together; and then people who can play basketball because there is a cash prize to win, so we need to be good. And \[the Hoop District tournament\] is in our hometown, so we need to represent Paris and we need to be as good as we can.”

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

“Maybe the Spain one or the UK \[team\]. I know the SBB guys – they play basketball well and they’re such nice guys. They’re creative and they’re doing a great job in the UK. I love their content. We’re going to be in the same group, so I’m going to say the UK team. And shout out to the SBB boys!”

**What does it mean for you to be a Team Captain?**

“It’s such an honor. When I saw the video, I thought, ‘That’s so nice.’ I’m the kind of guy who works a lot – I’m in my room creating content. I’m kind of in my space and when I saw that the EuroLeague, a big league, is talking about the tournament and I can see myself in the video, that’s such a blessing, so I’m really happy about that. I can’t wait to be there, to play basketball and go to the final, maybe. It’s such a blessing. I couldn’t have imagined this happening.”

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

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Jasiel Rivero of Maccabi rocks the rim in Munich

Sterling Brown of ALBA and Elijah Bryant of Efes vie for the ball

Moustapha Fall of Olympiacos dunks over Youssoupha Fall of ASVEL

Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid makes his way through Partizan's defense

Sertac Sanli of Fenerbahce blocks Nicolas Laprovittola of Barcelona's shot

Nicolo Melli of Milan dunks against Fenerbahce

Codi Miller-McIntyre of Baskonia shoots past the outstretched arm of Partizan's Frank Kaminsky

Shane Larkin of Efes gets past the defense of Olympiacos's Alec Peters

Mathias Lessort of Panathinaikos dunks against Crvena Zvezda

Zalgiris and Virtus players try to get a hold of a loose ball in their Round 30 clash

Look back at all the action from Round 30 and 31 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

The Top 10 photos of the week, Rounds 30 and 31

### Mitoglou came up huge for the Greens

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens had a big week with two wins that shot it up to second place in the standings and made the Greens become the owners of their own destiny once again. [Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) was a huge piece of that winning puzzle, carrying a huge load in both games. First, in a [76-89](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/268/) road win against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Mitoglou collected 17 points and 9 rebounds in 32 minutes on the floor. On Friday night, in a massive come-from-behind [89-81](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-fc-barcelona/E2023/279/) win over FC Barcelona, Mitoglou played a game-high 37 minutes and 47 seconds and finished with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. He scored 8 points in the fourth quarter, and 5 of his boards came on the offensive end in a vital victory.

Konstantinos Mitoglou's highlights in Rounds 30 and 31.

Mitoglou came up huge for the Greens

### Nedovic stepped up for Zvezda

[Nemanja Nedovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nemanja-nedovic/000848/) reinforced the notion that he’s picked up the level of his performances lately with two big games, helping a depleted Crvena Zvezda snap a six-game losing streak. Zvezda did lose against Panathinaikos, but Nedovic was his team’s top performer with 19 points and 7 assists. ‘Nedo’ made 5-of-7 two-pointers and 3-of-6 triples that night. On Friday evening, Nedovic has his best game of the season. In a [94-79](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/277/) triumph over Virtus Segafredo Bologna, he scored 25 points in just under 24 minutes. He knocked down 3-of-5 triples and made 6-of-7 two-pointers, while dishing 7 assists once again. It was quite the week for Nedovic, who averaged 22.0 points and 7.0 assists.

Nedovic stepped up for Zvezda

### Career-best week for Hayes

Zalgiris Kaunas stormed back into the play-in race with a pair of double-digit wins over playoff contenders, and in the middle of if it all was big man [Kevarrius Hayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevarrius-hayes/010390/). The 27-year-old first amassed 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in just 21 minutes for a career-best PIR of 26 in a [96-81](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/266/) win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna. He followed that up by scoring a career-high 17 points on a personal-best 8-for-10 two-point shooting, in addition to pulling down 7 boards, in Thursday's [94-76](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/274/) victory over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Double EuroLeague week for Kevarrius Hayes 📊: <br><br>1st game: 13 PTS | 6 REB | 26 EFF<br>2nd game: 17 PTS | 7 REB | 20 EFF <a href="https://t.co/JFAbFhp0Qm">pic.twitter.com/JFAbFhp0Qm</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1771080387659268131?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Those were big and timely performances from Hayes, who has scored in double figures just three times this season and not since Round 10. He scored a total of 26 points over the last seven games, but posted 30 in two games this week, helping Zalgiris keep its postseason chances alive.

Kevarrius Hayes highlights vs. Virtus and Baskonia.

Career-best week for Hayes

### Campazzo helped Real clinch first place

Real Madrid registered a pair of road victories to clinch first place in the regular-season standings and enter the playoffs as the top seed. [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) had an important role in both wins. First, in a close battle against ALBA Berlin and a [79-86](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-real-madrid/E2023/262/) triumph, the Argentine had 14 points, 6 assists and 3 steals. Then, on Thursday, Real beat Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade [76-88](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-real-madrid/E2023/273/) at a jam-packed Stark Arena. The key was a 16-0 run to end the third quarter. Campazzo was scoreless with the hosts up 51-50 and under 4 minutes left in the third, but he went on to score all 7 of his points and also dish 3 assists as *Los Blancos* opened a 54-68 lead before closing out the game. The playmaker finished the night with 7 points and 8 assists.

Campazzo helped Real clinch first place

### Kaminsky shined in the double-round week

Partizan split its two home games this week, and its most consistent performer was center [Frank Kaminsky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/frank-kaminsky/012743/). The big man shined in an [87-83](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/265/) win over Baskonia, scoring a team-high 20 points on 5-for-7 two-point shooting and going 3 for 4 from long range. He also had 3 rebounds and 3 assists, and the Serbian side was +14 with the American on the floor. Two days later, against first-place Real Madrid and its twin towers Walter Tavares and Vincent Poirier, Kaminsky played a season-high 28 minutes and was again Partizan's top scorer with 19 points, making 4-of-6 twos and 3-of-7 threes, with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Kaminsky had +4 in the plus/minus column in a 12-point loss.

Frank Kaminsky scored 20 points vs. Baskonia, and 19 against Real Madrid.

Kaminsky shined in the double-round week

In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague roll call, we take a look at five players who had a big impact for their respective teamsin this latest double-round week.

Roll call, Rounds 30-31: Coming up big in a double-round week

Panathinaikos B.C. beat Barça Basket for the first time in six years on Friday night, and now the Greens are looking to make their first EuroLeague Final Four since 2012.

Glory-chasing Panathinaikos B.C. shedding the weight of history 

After six years and 10 games without a victory against FC Barcelona, the weight of history was certainly against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens as the Spanish giant rolled into the Greek capital for Friday night’s huge game at OAKA.

Even more so when you also consider that Panathinaikos is hoping to end a 12-year absence from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, having last appeared in European basketball’s showpiece event in London in 2012 at the end of Zeljko Obradovic’s glorious reign.

A lot of time and many disappointments have passed since then, so there is an enormous amount of pressure on the current crop of Greens to bring the team back to glory. The weight of history, indeed.

### Recovering from a difficult moment

Midway through the second quarter, the weight of the present was also firmly against [Ergin Ataman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/ataman-ergin/)’s team as an impressive Barca powered its way through a 0-17 run to take a 24-40 advantage which, even that early, looked like it could be decisive.

But this Panathinaikos team, especially with the support of a passionate sold-out OAKA crowd, is made of strong stuff – strong enough to shed the burden of past and present struggles to produce a superb second-half showing, winning the last two quarters 55-35 with a combination of smothering defense and smoothly functioning offense.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good night <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAOFans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAOFans</a> 💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://t.co/obXeeF5cHu">pic.twitter.com/obXeeF5cHu</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1771307304685601021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[The final outcome, 89-81,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-panathinaikos-bc-vs-barca-basket/) was one point short of the desired outcome for the Greens, as it just failed to secure the head-to-head advantage – i.e. the tiebreaker – against Barca following an 80-72 win for the *Blaugrana* in Round 6.

Coach Ataman, though, was unconcerned because – even a few minutes after the final buzzer – he already had everything worked out. 

“We keep the points average,” he explained. "Okay, we lost at Barcelona by eight points, now we won by eight, but in the general average we have plus 33 more than Barcelona, so it’s a big advantage before the last three games. It's like two victories tonight.” 

Ergin Ataman spoke to the cameras after Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens's victory against FC Barcelona in Round 31 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Ataman's post-game interview

### Panathinaikos looking to 'build something great'

Indeed, the eight-point victory means that Panathinaikos now has a 41-point advantage (+154) over Barcelona (+113), and Ataman’s double fist-pumping celebration with the fans showed he knows the team is now in a great position with three games remaining (Virtus Segafredo Bologna and FC Bayern Munich on the road, and ALBA Berlin at home).

Victory in those three games would be enough to guarantee home-court advantage in the playoffs for Panathinaikos, and key forward [Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) summed up the determined mood of his locker room as he said: “We're trying to build something great. 

“Our guys are putting a lot of effort, the oldest guys and the youngest guys, the smallest and the biggest guys. We put our soul here, we put a great effort and great work.”

And as for the contribution from the fans and their spectacular atmosphere? He’s in no doubt there, either.

“It was amazing," gushed Mitoglou. “I hope we keep going like this. These sold-out games... it’s very hard for someone to beat us here.”

After the whirlwind that blew them away on and off the court on Friday night, Barcelona will not disagree with that last sentiment.

More Panathinaikos News

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens big men Mathias Lessort, Juancho Hernangomez and Dinos Mitoglou all come together after the Greens' win against FC Barcelona in Round 31 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Ergin Ataman's troops shot up the standings following its win against Barcelona

Glory-chasing Greens shedding the weight of history 

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v FC Barcelona (2024-03-22T19:15:00.000Z)

Round 31 saw many Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars deliver great individual performances. These are the players who led all the main statistical categories.

Round 31 individual highs: Moustapha Fall, Olympiacos Piraeus, 4 blocks

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

Three players scored 25 points in Round 31: [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) of Real Madrid, [Nemanja Nedovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nemanja-nedovic/000848/) of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and [Tornike Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) of Virtus Segafredo Bologna. AS Monaco's [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer, also leads the way in scoring this season with 19.0 points per game.

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

[Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and [Khalifa Koumadje](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khalifa-koumadje/010791/) of ALBA Berlin each pulled down 10 rebounds, the most in this round. [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv is the 2023-24 rebounding leader with 7.1 boards per night.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

Zvezda's [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) led all players in Round 31 with 9 assists. [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz leads the league in assists with 7.3 dimes per contest.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

[Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/) of Panathinaikos and [Stefan Jovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/stefan-jovic/004863/) of Valencia Basket each recorded 4 steals, the most in Round 31. [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne remains atop the steals charts with 1.7 per game.

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

Olympiacos Piraeus center [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) had 4 blocks, more than any other player in this round. [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) of Real is the league’s top shot blocker with 1.5 per game.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

There were two double-doubles in Round 31: Mitoglou had 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Koumadje had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

A pair of big-time performances from former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions have seen Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid and Elijah Bryant of Anadolu Efes Istanbul secure co-MVP of the Round honors. Each player accumulated a PIR of 33 in their respective Round 31 games.

Round 31 co-MVPs: Mario Hezonja, Real Madrid and Elijah Bryant, Efes

A pair of big-time performances from former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions have seen [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) of Real Madrid and [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul secure co-MVP of the Round honors. Each player accumulated a PIR of 33 in their respective Round 31 games.

Hezonja starred in Real's 76-88 win at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, scoring a game-high 25 points after netting 5 triples on 6 attempts. Hezonja was 3 of 8 on two-pointers and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line, in addition to collecting 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The Real Madrid forward had zero turnovers and did not commit a single personal foul, while drawing 6 in a victory which clinched first place in the standings for *Los Blancos*.

Bryant shined for Efes in a thrilling 85-84 win over ALBA Berlin. He scored 24 points in 24 minutes and 24 seconds on the floor, making 7-0f-8 twos, 2-of-3 threes and 4-of-5 free throws. Bryant also contributed with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in an important win for Tomislav Mijatovic’s play-in-chasing side.

Mario Hezonja and Elijah Braynt | RS Round 31co- MVPs | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The next best PIR, 30, belongs to [Nemanja Nedovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nemanja-nedovic/000848/) of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) of Valencia Basket. In a 94-79 win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna, Nedovic scored 25 points in less than 24 minutes on the floor, along with posting 7 assists and 3 rebounds. Ojeleye scored a career-best 22 points and also had 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 blocks and 5 drawn fouls in a 79-78 defeat at AS Monaco. Rounding out the list of top performers are two players with a PIR of 25, [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) of Olympiacos Piraeus. Sloukas collected 18 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals for the Greens in an impressive 89-81 win over FC Barcelona, while Fall amassed 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 blocks in an 80-64 win over his former team, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.

Hezonja and Bryant share the highest PIR or Round 31.

Vladimir Dumanovic beat everyone else in Round 31 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge with his team Vladimir Dumanovic, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 232.65.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 31 winner

Vladimir Dumanovic beat everyone else in Round 31 of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) with his team Vladimir Dumanovic, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 232.65.

Vladimir had the following lineup: team captain Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid, then Real teammate Facundo Campazzo, Elijah Bryant of Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade duo Nemanja Nedovic and Joel Bolomboy as the other starters.

His sixth man was Shavon Shields of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. On the bench, he also had Luka Mitrovic of Zvezda, Eli Ndiaye of Real, Tomas Dimsa of Zalgiris Kaunas and Codi Miller-McIntyre of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. His head coach was Tomislav Mijatovic of Efes.

The prize for finishing first in Round 31 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2024-25 season, so congratulations, Vladimir!

Ilias Preveza stays as the leader of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge overall standings with 5,667.80 points.

Trades are now open for Round 32. Remember, there are now unlimited trades before the action resumes next week!

The first game in Round 32 — Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Valencia Basket — tips off on Wednesday, March 27, at 20:30 CET. That fixture marks the deadline to get trades done, so don’t leave it too late.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge!

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 31st winner in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge!

Nicolo Melli had a captain's performance as Olimpia Milano beat Fenerbahçe Beko to put itself in contention for a EuroLeague postseason berth.

Nicolo Melli rolled back the years to lift Olimpia Milano in crunch time

Big names shine in big games and [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) delivered when it mattered the most for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, providing the kind of mettle and leadership required to engineer [a lifeline 77-76 home win over Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-olimpia-milano-vs-fenerbahce-beko/) on Friday.

The outcome, coupled with [Milan’s impressive 80-98 victory at AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-as-monaco-basket-vs-olimpia-milano/) earlier this week, catapulted the Italian side into what is becoming an almighty scrap for a play-in berth with three regular season rounds remaining.

Milan, currently in 10th place which guarantees postseason competition, is locked on a 14-17 record with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Valencia Basket and Anadolu Efes Istanbul, while Bayern Munich and Zalgiris Kaunas are on 13-18 and breathing down the quartet’s necks.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">La grinta del capitano, i canestri di Tonut, Mirotic e Shields nei momenti decisivi. La vinciamo noi! 77 - 76 il punteggio finale.<br><br>(Melli 17 pts, Shields 15, Mirotic 13, Poythress 9)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olimpiamilano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olimpiamilano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/z8rzSGFijB">pic.twitter.com/z8rzSGFijB</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1771293542570221889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Melli delivered a captain's display

Melli served up a vintage performance on the offensive end in the first half to help Milan get into the driver’s seat and then supplied the defensive steel needed to fend off a spirited Fenerbahce fightback, as the visitors briefly turned the game on its head in the closing stages.

“We won the game and that’s the most important thing,” Melli said in his post-game comments. "Fenerbahce is a very good team so it wasn’t an easy task, but we did a pretty good job and kept alive our play-in chances. 

“Small details and a couple of big baskets from my teammates made the difference in the end — we were better than them down the stretch,” added the versatile forward, who finished on 17 points and 3 rebounds.

Nicolo Melli (17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals) shined as EA7 Emporio Armani Milan beat Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 31 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Melli's highlights vs. Fenerbahce

With Fenerbahce nosing ahead 70-73 in the home stretch, [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) sank an open three and then a pair of free throws after [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) netted a long two off the dribble. Tarik Biberovic forced late drama with an audacious baseline triple for the visitors, who ran out of time, although they did force a turnover on Milan’s final possession before throwing the ball away straight back into the home team’s hands.

Milan’s head coach Ettore Messina was visibly relieved after the titanic tussle and a dramatic finale, heaping praise on his players for showing grit in the face of adversity.

“We were up the whole game and after they went ahead, we made a couple of big plays,” Messina reflected. “We found a way to win, our players showed great heart and it’s the first time this season we’ve won twice in a double-round week. 

"One game at a time from here, knowing that we have to continue to play together after overcoming a tough moment in the fourth quarter,” he stressed.

Fresh from a notable victory over Barcelona, Fenerbahce wish for another big night from Scottie Wilbekin, who's scored 4 and 6 three-pointers in the last two, while Italian stallions Milan are to count on the leadership of Nikola Mirotic since the former EuroLeague MVP averaged 21 from his the last four.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Round 31 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### A potentially damaging defeat for Fenerbahce

While the outcome lifted Milan, it dented Fenerbahce’s hopes of finishing in the top four, with the situation at the top of the standings also providing for a thrilling climax. 

Defending champion Real Madrid has clinched top spot with games to spare, but a dogfight beckons for the runner-up spot onwards as two wins separate the next six teams in line, with automatic playoff berths as well as home-court advantage at stake.

Fenerbahce’s head coach Saras Jasikevicius acknowledged his team had left itself too much to do, although the visitors missed a chance to complete what would have amounted to a spectacular comeback.

“We dug ourselves into too big a hole,” said the 48-year-old Lithuanian tactician. “The reaction was fantastic and in the end the game was decided by tiny details, as is usually the case when it’s a close call.”

More Milan News

Nicolo Melli of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan screams during his team's win against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 31 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The 33-year-old forward stood out at both ends of the court as the Italian team forced its way into the postseason picture

Nicolo Melli rolled back the years to lift Milan in crunch time

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-03-22T19:30:00.000Z)

Kendrick Nunn, Kostas Sloukas and Jerian Grant all rose to the occasion in the second half as Panathinaikos B.C. defeated Barça Basket 89-81.

Backcourt control led Panathinaikos B.C. to huge win over Barcelona

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens grabbed a vital victory against FC Barcelona in front of a packed-out OAKA on Friday night, and the control and drive provided by its combination of backcourt stars was a crucial factor behind [the 89-81 triumph](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-panathinaikos-bc-vs-barca-basket/).

The home team couldn’t get going in the first half, with Barcelona’s greater physicality allowing the visiting team to mount a 0-17 charge which established a 16-point lead, 24-40, towards the end of the second quarter.

That run included a pair of smooth scores from Ricky Rubio and a three-pointer by Nico Laprovittola, and at that stage it appeared the Spanish team would keep hold of the encounter through its combination of frontcourt rebounding and backcourt ball handling.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WE ARE FAMILY ☘️💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://t.co/4ppmh0u9zM">pic.twitter.com/4ppmh0u9zM</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1771290321592131858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Panathinaikos leaned on its guards

But that all changed after the break. In the end the Panathinaikos trio of guards proved decisive, with [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/), [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) and [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/) controlling the tempo and the rhythm of the game with their scoring, assisting and defense.

Sloukas, in particular, was a driving force throughout a superb second half which was won 55-35 by Panathinaikos. He spent more than 33 minutes on the floor, registering 18 points and 8 assists to earn a loud standing ovation from the sold-out home crowd in the final moments. 

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard Kostas Sloukas earned an ovation from the crowd inside OAKA during his team's win against FC Barcelona in Round 31 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Sloukas ovation at OAKA

“I’d like to dedicate this victory to the fans.” said Sloukas, returning that love. "They pushed us a lot. I’m very, very happy that they understand that I give everything for the team. I always give 100%, even if I make some mistakes."

If Sloukas was the orchestrator, Nunn was the chief scorer as he finished with 22 points, making 7 of his 11 two-point attempts and 2 of 5 from long-range. And Grant completed the trio with his usual stellar defensive work, grabbing 4 steals including one which led to a thrilling alley-oop combination with [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/).

Kendrick Nunn (22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists) and Kostas Sloukas (18 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals) impressed as Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens beat FC Barcelona in Round 31 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Nunn, Sloukas highlights vs. Barcelona

Barca’s backcourt, on the other hand, delivered far less with Tomas Satoransky (12 points), Laprovittola (6) and Rubio (4) unable to find the necessary scoring to complement the efforts of big men Jan Vesely and Willy Hernangomez (13 points apiece).

The final quarter was a chaotic and desperate performance from a Barca team which had totally lost its way in the game, and the contrast with Sloukas and Nunn’s purposeful confidence could not have been greater.

Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens looks to score over the outstretched arm of FC Barcelona's Tomas Satoransky in Round 31 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Greens were able to lean on Kendrick Nunn, Kostas Sloukas and Jerian Grant in an impressive second-half performance