Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul caught fire on offense as it thrashed Valencia Basket 118-88 in Round 29 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Fenerbahçe Beko sets records in 118-88 drubbing of Valencia Basket

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Scottie Wilbekin of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul gets a shot up against Valencia Basket in Round 29 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Saras Jasikevicius's side were on fire on offense against the Spanish visitors

Fenerbahce sets records in 118-88 drubbing of Valencia

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Valencia Basket (2024-03-14T17:45:00.000Z)

Moses Wright shined bright as Olympiacos B.C. beat Panathinaikos B.C. 71-65 in Round 29 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season.

Olympiacos B.C. earns bragging rights in the Greek Derby, 71-65

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Isaiah Canaan of Olympiacos Piraeus is guarded by Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in Round 29 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Reds were led by an inspired performance by center Moses Wright, who had a career-best 19 points

Olympiacos earns bragging rights in the Greek Derby, 71-65

Olympiacos Piraeus v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-03-14T17:45:00.000Z)

Not every game between Greece's "eternal rivals" has the potential to shake up a EuroLeague playoffs race, but this one certainly does.

Get ready for a Greek Derby with huge stakes

All eyes will be on Peace and Friendship Stadium this week when [Olympiacos Piraeus (17-11) and Panathinaikos Athens (18-10) collide](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/255/) in long-anticipated Greek Derby on Thursday.

There are many storylines associated with this Round 29 clash – from [Kostas Slouka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/)s's return to Piraeus to the Reds' five-game EuroLeague winning streak over the Greens. Olympiacos is missing [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) and might be significantly depleted in its backcourt, with [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/), [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/) and [Naz Mitrou Long](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/naz-mitrou-long/011965/) all questionable.

What separates this from any other Greek Derby in recent years, however, is its importance in the race for the EuroLeague Playoffs and, in particular, for home-court advantage.

A colossal showdown awaits between two Greek-giants. Both are in great form, with the Reds winning five in a row while Ergin Ataman's team has triumphed in three straight, whilst two of the league's best defenders will battle for backcourt dominance as Thomas Walkup takes on Jerian Grant.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | Round 29 | Trailer

### Both could qualify for the postseason this week

Simply put, the stakes have not been this high for a EuroLeague game between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos in more than six years.

The last time the Greek archrivals played this late in the season while both hunting for EuroLeague Playoffs berths was in the 2017-18 season. That time, Olympiacos pulled out an 85-87 overtime win in Athens, but both finished in the top four. Despite home-court advantage, however, both lost their best-of-five playoff series, Panathinaikos by 1-3 against Real Madrid and Olympiacos by the same margin to Zalgiris Kaunas.

That season was the last in which the Greens and the Reds were in the EuroLeague Playoffs together. That six-year wait to see both in the playoffs could end soon, however.

On Thursday, Panathinaikos has a chance to return to the postseason for the first time in six years as Coach Ataman's men will secure a place in the [Play-In Showdown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-introduces-play-in-showdown/) with a win over Olympiacos. The Greens might even secure a top-10 finish and guaranteed postseason participation if they lose on Thursday, but in that case they would need a lot of help from other results.

Olympiacos, last year's EuroLeague runner-up, can also secure participation in the Play-In Showdown this week, but needs not only to beat Panathinaikos but also to see Valencia, Partizan, Milan and Efes all lose – a tall order.

### A pivotal derby for what comes next

Looking at the bigger picture, clinching the Play-In Showdown is just the first step towards the main goal for such ambitious teams, namely reaching the Final Four in Berlin. The likelihood of landing in the season's pinnacle event increases greatly with home-court advantage in the playoffs, and this Round 29 game is of massive importance in that battle.

Olympiacos might be one win behind Panathinaikos in the standings, but [the Reds' overtime road victory when they met in Round 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/7/) weighs heavily. Another victory at home on Thursday would make it a 2-0 sweep for Olympiacos over its biggest rival and give the Reds an upper hand for the top four with five rounds left in the regular season.

If Panathinaikos pulls out a win in Piraeus, it would mean a giant step towards clinching a top-four finish. Even though the Greens lost their season opener 78-88 back in October, the fact of having taken the game to overtime helps them. Since overtime points are not counted in tiebreak calculations, any win in regulation time by the Greens on Thursday will result in a tiebreak advantage over Olympiacos going forward.

Panathinaikos Athens-Olympiacos Piraeus | Round 1 | Highlights

Over the final five rounds, both Greek sides will have two home games, in Rounds 31 and 34, in addition to three roads tests. Olympiacos travels to visit Efes, Partizan and Zvezda, while having home games against ASVEL and, finally, Fenerbahce in a regular-season finale.

Panathinaikos travels to face Zvezda, Virtus and Bayern, while hosting Barcelona and, to end the regular season, ALBA.

A loss in any of these games will hurt Greek teams' chances for home-court advantage. That's because FC Barcelona (19-9) is sitting in second place and holds a sweep over Olympiacos. Also because AS Monaco (18-10), currently on a seven-game winning streak, is playing all if its last six games against teams with losing records. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce (17-11) is keeping up the pace and got a huge boost with a big road win over Real Madrid last week.

The way things stand, it is more likely than not that there will be room in the top four for only one team between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.

All that makes this particular Greek Derby as important as they come.

Here comes a Greek Derby with truly huge stakes

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 goals this week.

Postseason possibilities: Up to five teams can assure top-10 finishes in Round 29

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 goals this week.

### Real tries again for first playoff berth

Despite three consecutive defeats, defending champion Real Madrid (22-6) may still become the first team to reach the playoffs in Round 29. In fact, Real might reach that achievement before it even plays in the last game of this round at Virtus Segafredo Bologna (17-11) on Friday night.

Real could clinch a top-six finish as soon as the end of the first two games of the round finish on Thursday if either of the home teams in those games were to lose. That is the case if Olympiacos (17-11) falls in the Greek Derby to visiting Panathinaikos Aktor Athens (18-10), or if Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (17-11) were to lose at home to Valencia Basket (13-15). A loss by either Olympiacos or Fenerbahce would mean that Real could not fall to seventh place in any tiebreakers going forward, and therefore clinches at least a top-six finish.

Real may even assure itself of a top-four finish this week, and home-court advantage in the playoffs, under a pair of scenarios. First, either Fenerbahce or both Panathinaikos and FC Barcelona (19-9), which hosts Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (13-15) would have to lose on Thursday. If either of those situations happens, then a win by Real in Bologna would be enough to solidify a top-four finish.

### Up to five more teams can reach the Play-In Showdown

As many as five teams this week could join Real and Barca in assuring themselves at least participation in the new Play-In Showdown, which requires a guarantee of finishing in 10th place or better. 

AS Monaco (18-10) and Panathinaikos have the clearest shot to Play-In Showdown status. If Monaco beats host ALBA Berlin (5-23), that will be good enough, just as the Greens can reach the postseason with a victory in their derby on the floor of Olympiacos the same night. Either of them can lose and still game Play-In Showdown access, but it would then take at least four lower-placed teams to also lose for to make the Play-In Showdown possible for either of them this week.

The situation is different for Fenerbahce, Olympiacos and Virtus because those teams must not only win their own games but see at least three other teams below them lose in order to clinch the Play-In Showdown this week.

Coach Zeljko Obradovic’s men seek their first victory at Palau Blaugrana in nearly four decades

The questions Partizan needs to answer to finally win in Barcelona

Is it possible to upgrade from Every Game Matters to Every Game Especially Matters Now?

In case you have not noticed, after this week there will be only five rounds remaining and there are currently ties for the last spots that guarantee playoff berths and for the last place in the Play-In Showdown. [When FC Barcelona hosts Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Thursday night](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/254/), the race for the next stages will be at the heart of the matter.

Barcelona is currently second in the standings with a 19-9 record, but it does not want to entertain the thought of a late-season slide as the teams tied for fifth-seventh place have just two fewer wins. Every win now brings Barca closer to clinching home-court advantage for the playoffs.

Partizan, 13-15, is one of the teams tied for the last Play-In Showdown spot and its fate could easily come down to one win, one loss or even a tiebreaker.

Despite the rich histories that both these teams boast, there is hardly a rivalry to speak of. Barcelona has won eight straight games against Partizan. The Serbian giants last beat Barcelona in February 2010 and its lone win in Barcelona came in 1987. To put that in perspective, Zeljko Obradovic was a reserve guard on Partizan’s roster that season.

Obradovic has another tie to Barcelona in that he coached both [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) – as well as current Partizan swingman [James Nunnally](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/james-nunnally/007400/) – to the 2017 EuroLeague championship with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Vesely has Partizan ties, too. He made his EuroLeague debut with the club, spent three seasons there and helped the team reach the 2010 EuroLeague Final Four.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-FC Barcelona | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Plenty of interesting storylines

Now that that's out of the way, what are we looking forward to in this game? There are some other interesting subplots. Both teams have strong and versatile frontcourts. One of the matchups could see Barca’s [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) face his former Charlotte Hornets teammate [Frank Kaminsky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/frank-kaminsky/012743/).

I suspect all fans should be intrigued by Barcelona’s backcourt every time the team plays, whether they love the club or just love basketball. Why? Two words: [Ricky Rubio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ricky-rubio/lfw/).

It’s not just the hype around Rubio’s return, but the effect on the rest of the backcourt. How will [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/), [Nicolas Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) and [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) play alongside Rubio? How will the chemistry grow with Rubio and the bigs? Rubio’s impact on any given game at this point is almost irrelevant. The key is how ready he will be to make an impact next month once the playoffs come around.

Impact on the playoffs is key for Partizan, whose goal now is just to get there. And if there is a profile of a player who doesn’t give a damn about the name, stats or salary of the man guarding him, it’s [Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/). When at his best, Avramovic has been a difference-maker for Partizan and is coming off two of his best games of the season.  

After serving up a career-high 30 points against Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 27, he came back with 18 last week at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. He made his way into the paint to shoot a combined 15-of-17 on two-pointers in those games. Fifth in the league in two-point accuracy at 70.6%, Avramovic is one of only two guards in the top 25 in the league in that category.

Will he be able to penetrate at will against the likes of Satoransky and Rubio? Is backcourt mate [PJ Dozier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/) due for a bounce-back game after totaling 7 points in the last two games? Will [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) go off for a 20-point game?

For me, the game’s outcome rests on those questions. Big games for two of those players could be the recipe for a long-awaited Partizan victory in Barcelona. But the history and the teams’ records remind us that Barcelona is the clear favorite.  

FC Barcelona v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2024-03-14T19:30:00.000Z)

Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 29 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Bold predictions for Round 29

### Panathinaikos to earn derby bragging rights away

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Olympiacos Piraeus and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens started the EuroLeague season with a bang by serving up a wonderful Round 1 contest, which was tied 74-74 after 40 minutes before the Reds won 78-88 in overtime. The Greens were very much a team under construction at that point, having overhauled basically the entire roster and brought in a new head coach in Ergin Ataman, but they are now 18-10 and sit third in the standings. Olympiacos, meanwhile, has dealt with plenty of injuries this season but finds itself with a 17-11 record in fifth place. [It's always a must-watch occasion whenever Olympiacos and Panathinaikos face off](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/255/), but the Greens have been on fire lately, going 12-3 over the last 15 games, including  a current three-game winning streak. Olympiacos can better that, having won five straight, but I think that run will come to an end on Thursday as it struggles to cope with MVP candidate Mathias Lessort, Kendrick Nunn and a man who is likely to receive plenty of whistles at Peace and Friendship Stadium, Kostas Sloukas. Coach Ataman's comments about reaching the Final Four don't seem so farfetched now, do they?  

One of basketball's most passionate derbies – Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens – tips off for the 21st time this century in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on Thursday.
This time, the game has strong playoff implications, as visiting Panathinaikos will try to snap a five-game losing streak against its archrival in EuroLeague games since December of 2021. As always, the buzz is strong in the Greek capital.

Reds vs. Greens: 'A game you always want to play'

### Zvezda will succeed in the role of spoiler

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (10-18) doesn't have too much left to play for beyond pride. Currently on a four-game losing streak, the team is three wins away from 10th place in the standings, with as many as six teams ahead of it in the race for the final Play-In Showdown spot. But Zvezda has plenty of pride, especially in front of its faithful fans, and no team is a true favorite when it visits Stark Arena, no matter what the standings say. [The same is true on Thursday when it welcomes Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (15-13)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/257/), which may have won its last two games, but has struggled playing as a visitor all season, with a a 5-9 road record. Even worse, Maccabi has lost its last six games against Zvezda. I predict that streak continues and Zvezda gives its fans something to celebrate on Thursday night.

### A good week for Efes 

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

Five teams are separated by one win for 10th place – the final spot that leads to the Play-In Showdown. Among them, Valencia Basket (13-15), Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (13-15) and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (12-16) are on the road playing against teams that sit above them in the standings. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (12-16) is also on the road, [but it faces LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (6-22) on Friday.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/261/) At 2-12, Efes has the second-worst road record in the league, but no team has struggled more at home this season than ASVEL (3-11). This game is almost a must-win for Efes before it plays a pair of home games next week. I not only expect a comfortable Efes victory, but for it to make up some ground in the standings as those above it fall.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul-LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Trincheri wins in Munich return

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

It is going to be a very special Friday night at BMW Park on Friday as [Andrea Trinchieri returns to the building as Zalgiris Kaunas head coach to face FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/260/) for the first time since leaving the club. Trinchieri coached Bayern over the previous three seasons, from 2020 to 2023, winning two German League titles and reaching Game 5 of the EuroLeague Playoffs twice, in 2021 and 2022, before losing to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and FC Barcelona, respectively. Trinchieri will make sure his first game back in Munich is one to remember for Zalgiris fans. Bayern comes off a tough loss against Efes and also lost at home in German League action. Zalgiris led most of all way against host Maccabi last week and won the Lithuanian derby against Rytas Vilnius, so it will be very motivated to add an important win. That's my bold prediction: Trinchieri leading Zalgiris to a critical road victory in the Bavarian capital. 

### Real Madrid will right its ship

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

It was never going to be as easy as Real Madrid made things look by racing to an 11-0 record and, after despite losing that streak on a last-second error in overtime, pushing to 22-3 and the brink of early playoff qualification. However, three straight losses – in Milan and at home by double digits to Panathinaikos and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul – have postponed that achievement. [Real visits Virtus Segafredo Bologna on Friday](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-real-madrid/E2023/259/) intent on stopping this losing streak where it started, in Italy. Virtus has been admirable all season, but especially at home, where it is 12-2. The hosts will want to erase the memory of their 100-74 loss in the Spanish capital back in early November, and have a historic Real Madrid nemesis in Tornike Shengelia to lead them. All that said, great teams meet the moment, and defending champion Real wants to re-establish its swagger before the playoffs. Another loss will sow too much doubt, and the way to avoid that is to win. I expect the great atmosphere at Virtus Segafredo Arena to help Real rediscover its fire, clinch its playoff spot, and turn to the all-important task of seizing home-court advantage early. 

A big clash at the top of the standings sees unbeaten leader Real welcome red-hot Virtus, who are on a five-game winning streak. October MVP Toko Shengelia face a fearsome showdown with the dynamic Guerschon Yabusele if he, as expected, returns from injury. as these two stars battle for inside dominance.

Real Madrid-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | Round 7 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

FC Bayern Munich v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-03-15T19:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Real Madrid (2024-03-15T19:30:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-03-15T19:00:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-03-14T19:30:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v AS Monaco (2024-03-14T19:00:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-03-14T18:00:00.000Z)

Giampaolo Ricci of Olimpia Milano built an early connection to Africa and is now on a mission to build a free secondary school in Tanzania.

Giampaolo Ricci's project in Tanzania (Part 2): 'Africa changes you'

[***Read part one here.***](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/giampaolo-ricci-family-mission-in-tanzania-part-1-i-feel-obligated-to-do-this/)

There's a real legacy being built by EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's [Giampaolo Ricci](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/giampaolo-ricci/001518/) in the Tanzanian town of Kisaki that is sure to impact children there for many years to come.

As explained in part one of this two-part interview, the 32-year-old Milan forward dedicates his extra energies – through his charitable organization, [Amani Education](https://amani.education/amani/) – to finalizing the construction of a secondary school in Kisaki. This will allow children there to continue studying beyond age 12, which is not currently the case for the vast majority of children due to a lack of facilities.

For Ricci, the children's desire to better themselves is one of the core factors behind his desire to improve the situation in Tanzania, where he has regularly visited with his parents since a very young age.

"The most impressive thing, for me, are the kids, the young kids," Ricci explains to the EuroLeague's official website.

"If you ask a young kid there: 'What is your dream. What do you want to do in your life?' They don't answer: 'I want to play basketball, I want to be a doctor…' They just say: ‘My dream is to study.' For me, this is unbelievable.

"Building a school for them could be a really \[big\] change because only with education, only with knowledge, can you be free to choose your future."

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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/Cf_6dxps_he/?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">Una publicación compartida de Giampaolo Ricci (@giamp_ricci)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### Collaborating with 'angels'

During the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, when he must support those children's dreams from afar, Ricci relies on the Assumption Sisters, who conduct the day-to-day construction effort and inspired him over the years to pursue his mission of raising enough money to complete the school.

"The Assumption Sisters \[are\] our connection to Tanzania because they met my parents when they were young," he comments. "There, the Assumption Sisters are not only nuns, but they work in hospitals, they work as teachers, so they are really important for that population – they are really engaged in everyday life.

"For me, they are really angels because they really think about others. They really do everything for the young guys, the kids, because they know that they are the future of the nation."

Ricci feels privileged to have first-hand experiences in Africa thanks to those trips with his parents, volunteer doctors who lived in Tanzania before he was born and returned often to help build a small hospital and dig water wells in the area, among other projects.

"I try to talk about Africa to my friends, I try to share videos, images, but if you don't live that atmosphere, if you don't go there, it is impossible to understand 100 percent what Africa is and what it can give to you," he says.

"Africa changes you. It changed me and it changes people. I think when you come back from a trip there, you really see everything in a different way. It's difficult to share what Africa is, but I've tried \[to do so\] every time with words, with images. I suggest that everybody goes there."

The Ricci family with the Assumption Sisters (Photo: Giampaolo Ricci)

### A family legacy continued

Besides the many trips there, the letters that his parents sent home even before he was born about their experiences in Africa have a big impact on Ricci to this day.

"When they lived there in 1989 and 1990, they talked with their family here in Italy with some letters," Ricci notes. "My grandfather collected all of these letters over these years.

"One thing that really stayed in my mind is a letter from my mom that says to Africa: 'Dear Africa, how many times we felt too small to help you? How many times we have felt like a drop of a drop? But how many times has the memory of your people who await a better day shaken us? We don't know if we will altogether improve their lives, but we know at least we will at least give meaning to our lives by trying to do so.'

"For me, this is a big thing and it really stays in my heart and my mind. I just want to keep doing what they started, and I think they are happy that they can share through me, through my brother and my sister, this love for Africa."

### Raising funds for free schooling

Looking ahead, Ricci aims to finish the construction of the secondary school before making it possible for all the students to not only attend, but live there, without having to pay. Although he understands the difficulty of this, it is something that he hopes to achieve.

"It will be a college where the kids can sleep, can eat, can live, so for sure there is a little fee to pay," Ricci comments. "But in my dream, it is to give to these 400 or so kids the possibility to have a free education, a free school.

"I know that it is a little bit impossible, but I will try. The kids that \[have\] difficult stories and maybe don't have parents with money. We try to help – we're already trying to help. It is different to help somebody than to give the whole school for free. My wish is to one day maybe get a lot of friends, a lot of companies, that can help me and do this."

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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/C1ASxK-skQn/?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">Una publicación compartida de Giampaolo Ricci (@giamp_ricci)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

Ricci has already started this path towards getting more donors for his philanthropic work in Tanzania, receiving €15,000 in donations from more than 450 people at an Amani Education fundraiser in Italy in December. There is still plenty more work to be done, but with Ricci and Amani Education continuing their work in Kisaki, there are certainly brighter days ahead.

[Donate to Amani Education](https://amani.education/donazioni/)

There's a real legacy being built by EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's Giampaolo Ricci in the Tanzanian town of Kisaki that is sure to impact children there for many years to come.

The Milan forward built an early connection to Africa and is now on a mission to build a free secondary school in Tanzania.

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic speaks with Euroleague.net about Real Madrid Baloncesto, Facundo Campazzo, and whether his former team could win back-to-back EuroLeague titles.

Luka Doncic: ‘I’m confident in Real Madrid Baloncesto'’

Dallas Mavericks superstar [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/) is arguably the biggest star to ever come out of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. He started his career with Real Madrid at age 12 and left seven years later to become a global basketball icon and an NBA superstar.

Doncic made EuroLeague highlights before he set foot in the competition, helping Real win the 2015 Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament and earning Finals MVP honors at age 16. He made his EuroLeague debut in the 2015-16 season, averaging 3.5 points and a PIR of 6.2 in 12 games. 

A year later, Doncic was chosen as the 2016-17 EuroLeague Rising Star, posting 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and a PIR of 13.3 in 35 games. It all clicked in the 2017-18 campaign, as Doncic led Real to its 10th EuroLeague title and earned Rising Star, season MVP and Final Four MVP honors. He averaged 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a PIR of 21.5 in 33 games.

<center>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXq18bB41n/?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/BwXq18bB41n/?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/BwXq18bB41n/?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 Luka Doncic (@lukadoncic)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### A lifelong bond with Real Madrid

In his sixth season with the Mavericks, Doncic has made it to the All-NBA First Team in each of the last four seasons. Doncic is in contact with his former Real Madrid teammates but misses the people inside the club – all the players, coaches and staff he grew up with – more than the Spanish capital itself.

"What I miss most about the club is just the teammates, the coaches, the guys that spend a lot of time with, even the medical staff, physiotherapists, all those great people," Doncic tells Euroleague.net. "That's what I miss the most about the club."

Looking back: Luka Doncic Highlights

### The impact of Campazzo’s return

While in Dallas, Doncic reunited with Facu Campazzo for a while. Doncic and Campazzo were teammates when Real won the EuroLeague title in 2018, and they played together again for a few weeks in Dallas before Facu returned to the EuroLeague, joining Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. Campazzo came back to Madrid last summer by signing a long-term contract at WiZink Center, and Doncic thinks it was a smart move by Real.

"Well, Facu is very important. You know, he's a great player, a lot of energy, great passer, great scorer," Doncic comments. "So I think this was one of the biggest additions to Madrid. And they are going to need him."

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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/p/BfPB1k1Fv3E/?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 Luka Doncic (@lukadoncic)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### Back-to-back chances

Despite being the most successful team in EuroLeague history with 11 titles, Real has not been able to win consecutive EuroLeague crowns since 1967. *Los Blancos* have another shot at this goal, 57 years later. Doncic believes it is always hard to go all the way again in consecutive seasons, but he’s optimistic about Real's chances to do so.

"For Madrid to win back-to-back titles, it’s going to be very tough. I think there are a lot of teams that are really good," he says. "But I'm confident. They have a great team, great coaching. So I'm confident in them."

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic spoke with Euroleague.net to discuss Real Madrid, Facundo Campazzo and Los Blancos' chances of winning back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague titles.

Luka Doncic: ‘I’m confident in Real Madrid’

The 2017-18 EuroLeague MVP spoke to Euroleague.net about a few topics

Serge Ibaka is one of the most interesting men in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. From his childhood in the Republic of the Congo, beginning a professional basketball career in Europe, winning the 2019 NBA championship and, of course, his viral How Hungry Are You? TV show, Ibaka has many great stories to tell. He gets to all of those and more in this riveting hour-long conversation with Joe Arlauckas on The Crossover.

Early on, their conversation veers into the environment Ibaka was raised in Brazzaville, where there was no belief that basketball would be his ticket to anything in the future. Except for Ibaka, whose faith helped him stay focused and pursue his dream.

\[9:30\] “I am talking about me personally. I believe in God. And then I believe in my hard work. I believe that this is going to work. I have to be patient. It’s all those things that go together,” Ibaka reflected on the recipe for his success.

Ibaka relayed the story of how he made it to Europe. There was a French basketball player whose father worked in Brazzaville. When playing pickup ball during one of his visits, he noticed Ibaka’s potential and eventually helped find him a club to join in France. From there Ibaka moved to Spain, first with L’Hospitalet.

\[16:45\] “When I moved to Spain, I was like, ‘You know what? This is my destiny,’” Ibaka told Arlauckas.

“The only thing in my mind was I have to figure out how to do it to make it as far as I can. And I am going to do whatever it takes. I am going to give my best,” he explained before adding “It’s going to inspire a lot of people back home. It’s going to inspire a lot of kids.”

Ibaka developed into one of the best prospects in the game and by the end of the season, he was wowing scouts at showcases. He was selected with the 24th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, but elected to play one more season in Spain, this time with Manresa.

At Manresa, Ibaka took his game to another level that year and when he eventually debuted in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Ibaka was ready. He would become and three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and in 2012 helped the Thunder reach the NBA Finals. Despite playing alongside stars Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook, Ibaka and co. lost to LeBron James’s Miami Heat in five games. That young core thought it would have many more chances to challenge for the crown, but it was not to be.

Ibaka’s next chance for a championship came in 2019 when he was with the Toronto Raptors. This time he was in a different stage of his career and when he and his teammates fell behind the Milwaukee Bucks 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals, Ibaka stepped in and showed his leadership.

\[33:40\] “I had been in that situation many, many times. So during that moment, all I was thinking was to try to be out there, try to keep my team spirit up,” Ibaka recalled. “Everybody was down. The energy was down after that 0-2. So I had to do something.”

After Ibaka rallied the troops with a memorable speech, Toronto came back to take the series and then defeated the Golden State Warriors in the finals. Ibaka played a total of 14 seasons in the NBA for five different clubs and was planning for a 15th before he got a call from a former coach.

\[39:30\] “What brought me back here I think one of the biggest reasons was Pablo Laso. I know Pablo since Madrid when I went to play there during the NBA lockout. I kind of knew him already as a person, as a coach,” Ibaka explained. And even though Ibaka was not ready to field offers outside of the NBA at the time, Laso convinced him: “I don’t know if this guy has a magic talk, but he was able to change my mind.”

Ibaka came to Munich shortly before the start of the season, but quickly became a force. He leads Bayern this season in scoring, rebounding, blocks and PIR. After playing so long on the other side of the Atlantic, he has loved the experience of playing in Europe’s premier competition.

\[46:05\] “Oh man. The EuroLeague, every game is like a playoff already. It’s crazy. You have to come out to play every game. It’s crazy fun,” Ibaka said.

With a one-hour format of exclusive one-on-one interviews, The Crossover with Joe Arlauckas goes well beyond the playing court with each podcast to delve into the life experiences that have made his guests protagonists and legends of the EuroLeague. The Crossover debuted in 2018 and has featured such current stars as [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mike-james-opens-up-at-the-crossover/), [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/lorenzo-brown-hops-aboard-the-crossover/) and [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mario-hezonja-stops-by-the-crossover/); coaching greats such as [Georgios Bartzokas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/hear-from-coach-bartzokas-on-the-crossover/), [Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/the-crossover-opens-its-season-with-dimitris-itoudis/), and Zeljko Obradovic, and legends like Theo Papaloukas, Nikola Vujcic and [Mike Batiste](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-legend-mike-batiste-visits-the-crossover/), among others. Ibaka is the fifth guest this season after [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/season-6-of-the-crossover-opens-with-nigel-hayes-davis/), [Kemba Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kemba-walker-visits-the-crossover/), [James Nunnally](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/james-nunnally-opens-up-at-the-crossover/) and [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/chima-moneke-joins-the-crossover/).

The Crossover with Joe Arlauckas is available on [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rYpAbSLlCc), [iTunes](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-crossover-with-joe-arlauckas/id1440034922), [Audioboom](https://audioboom.com/channel/the-crossover-with-joe-arlauckas), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/6T1SYvGSpzyrYZpG9z2wjR), [Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/fr/show/65962), [RadioPublic](https://radiopublic.com/the-crossover-with-joe-arlauckas-6NkdjJ), [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdWRpb2Jvb20uY29tL2NoYW5uZWxzLzQ4ODM3OTkucnNz?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwiYzr_b78XtAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ), [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Sports--Recreation-Podcasts/The-Crossover-with-Joe-Arlauckas-p1174586/), [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-crossover-with-joe-arlauckas), [CastBox](https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Crossover-with-Joe-Arlauckas-id1467328?country=gb), [iVoox](https://www.ivoox.com/podcast-the-crossover-with-joe-arlauckas_sq_f1629856_1.html) and other platforms.

The FC Bayern Munich big man talks about growing up in the Republic of Congo, winning an NBA championship and his decision to play in the EuroLeague.