Zalgiris Kaunas has confirmed that Sylvain Francisco has renewed his contract until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Sylvain Francisco renews at Zalgiris until 2027

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) has confirmed that star guard [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) has penned a new contract at the club until the end of the 2026-27 season. 

The deal includes an option for the Frenchman to leave in the summer of 2026 should a buyout be paid.

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Francisco, in his second season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, is in the midst of an excellent first campaign with Zalgiris, having averaged 14.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game across 28 appearances.

The 27-year-old has had his five best scoring games in the EuroLeague while wearing Zalgiris's jersey, beating the previous best mark of 21 points he twice reached during his rookie campaign with [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/). 

In the last five rounds alone, Francisco has achieved his three highest-scoring performances after posting a career-best 33 points against Bayern in Round 24, 29 points against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 26, and 25 points at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Round 27.

Zalgiris fans can now look forward to seeing Francisco on the Zalgirio Arena floor for potentially another two seasons.

More Zalgiris News

The 27-year-old has committed his future to the Lithuanian club

The All-25 EuroLeague Team is taking shape, with the third set of inductees being confirmed as Luka Doncic, Milos Teodosic, Dejan Bodiroga, Georgios Printezis and Walter Tavares join the 10 already honored players. 

The third batch of players for the All-25 EuroLeague Team are announced

The All-25 EuroLeague Team is taking shape, with the third set of inductees being confirmed. [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/), [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/), [Dejan Bodiroga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bodiroga-dejan/apn/), [Georgios Printezis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/georgios-printezis/amm/) and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) join fellow honorees Dimitris Diamantidis, Mike James, Vasilije Micic, Anthony Parker, Sergio Rodriguez, Nando De Colo, Sergio Llull, Ramunas Siskauskas, Vassilis Spanoulis and Nikola Vujcic.

The selection process combined the votes of EuroLeague head coaches who had won a championship, past All-Decade Team members and MVPs, media representatives and fans. The coaches and playing greats each made up 40% of the final vote, and the media and fans were 10% each.

### Luka Doncic

Despite his brief tenure in the EuroLeague, [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/) made an indelible impact, leading Real Madrid to the 2018 EuroLeague championship as a teenager. His historic season saw him become the youngest EuroLeague MVP and Final Four MVP in history at just 19 years old. It was a meteoric rise for the Slovenian, who as a 16-year-old was the MVP after leading Real to win the NextGen EuroLeague. He made his EuroLeague debut months later and in his second season was the 2016-17 EuroLeague Rising Star. When he torched Anadolu Efes Istanbul for 27 points on opening night in 2017, Doncic was off to the races on an incredible campaign and he hasn’t stopped yet, whether in the NBA or with his national team.

Doncic's versatility, court vision, and scoring ability revolutionized the modern guard role, paving the way for his transition to global stardom. His impact on Real Madrid and European basketball remains undeniable. A member of the 2010-20 EuroLeague All-Decade Team, Doncic will forever be connected to Real Madrid and the EuroLeague for the brilliance he displayed in those first three seasons of his career.

From the archive: Luka Doncic highlights

### Milos Teodosic

Ever since first stepping into the EuroLeague in the 2007-08 season, [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) has been wowing basketball fans on the continent. Whether it has been with Olympiacos Piraeus (2007-11), CSKA Moscow (2011-17), Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2022-23) or Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-present), the Serbian point guard’s incredible vision has brought joy to viewers in EuroLeague arenas and on TV screens, and also his teammates, having dished 1,477 assists and counting – the fifth most all-time – in his 305-game career.

His breakout season at Olympiacos saw him secure the EuroLeague MVP award in the 2009-10 season, which was also the same year he was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team for the first time. Another two selections came in 2014-15 and 2015-16 during his time at CSKA, as well as three All-EuroLeague Second Team picks in 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2016-17. It was in 2016 that Teodosic finally got his hands on the EuroLeague trophy after a memorable performance in CSKA’s 96-101 overtime win against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Part of the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team, Teodosic’s highlight reels will continue to be watched for decades and decades to come.

From the archive: Milos Teodosic highlights

### Dejan Bodiroga

[Dejan Bodiroga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bodiroga-dejan/apn/) is to this day one of the best examples of what European basketball historically has been all about. An elite scorer with an otherworldly understanding of the game, Bodiroga is one of the most accomplished basketball players in the history of the game. During a career that took off in the 1990s and then peaked over five seasons on EuroLeague floors between 2001 and 2007, the Serbian all-round forward accomplished what no one before or after him has done.

Bodiroga is the only player in EuroLeague history to lead two different clubs to EuroLeague titles as a Final Four MVP in back-to-back seasons. First was with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in 2002 and then a year later with FC Barcelona. Bodiroga played one EuroLeague season with the Greens and three with Barcelona before ending his career with Lottomatica Roma in the 2006-07 season. He was chosen to the EuroLeague 2000-10 All-Decade Team, and his 16.1 points per game across 100 appearances rank fifth all-time.

From the archive: Dejan Bodiroga highlights

### Georgios Printezis

A natural-born winner with great versatility and know-how, [Georgios Printezis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/georgios-printezis/amm/) hit arguably the most iconic shot in competition history. His floater off the baseline with 0.7 seconds left allowed Olympiacos Piraeus to beat CSKA Moscow 61-62 in the 2012 EuroLeague Championship Game, with the Reds having rallied from a 19-point deficit in the final 13 minutes. A lifelong Olympiacos fan, Printezis joined the Reds in 2001 and finished his first stint with the club in 2009. After two seasons with Unicaja Malaga, Printezis returned to Olympiacos, where he played until his retirement in 2022.

In 17 EuroLeague seasons with Olympiacos, Printezis made it to six Final Fours, winning back-to-back EuroLeague titles in 2012 and 2013, as well as reaching two other championship games in 2015 and 2017. Having retired in 2022, Printezis still ranks 10th all-time in scoring (3,599 points) and rebounds (1,452). He was chosen to the 2016-17 All-EuroLeague First Team and also made it to the 2010-20 EuroLeague All-Decade Team. In September 2024, Olympiacos retired his No. 15 jersey, naming the event "A Moment To Remember" in reference to his championship-winning shot against CSKA. 

From the archive: Georgios Printezis highlights

### Walter Tavares

A defensive titan, [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) has redefined interior defense over his eight seasons in the EuroLeague and the Real Madrid center filled a trophy case in that time. Tavares is a five-time All-EuroLeague selection, which is tied with Nikola Vujcic for the most of any center. He has won three EuroLeague Best Defender trophies, which is tied for the second-most in competition history. Tavares also helped *Los Blancos* raise the EuroLeague crown in both 2018 and 2023 and was the Final Four MVP in the second of those triumphs. Real Madrid has missed only one Final Four in his time with the club.

Standing at 2.20 meters, Tavares's shot-blocking ability and rebounding dominance have made him a game-changing presence in the paint. While his influence extends beyond statistics, the numbers help make his case; he is the career leader in blocked shots, ranks third in rebounds and fourth in two-point shooting accuracy. Tavares's ability to control the rim on both ends has secured his place in the history books as one of the most dominant centers ever in European basketball.

Walter Tavares | Best Plays | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Doncic, Teodosic, Bodiroga, Printezis and Tavares are the latest five to be recognized among the 25 greatest players from the competition’s history

In the first episode of the EuroLeague 25 Moments series, listen to coach Zeljko Obradovic, general manager Maurizio Gherardini, Ekpe Udoh, Jan Vesely, Gigi Datome and Bogdan Bogdanovic as they relive some highlights from Fenerbahce's run to the EuroLeague championship in 2017.

EuroLeague 25 Moments: Fenerbahce becoming champion in 2017

For [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) fans, the club's only Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship to date will live long in the memory.

With the 2017 Final Four taking place in the city of Istanbul, at Sinan Erdem Dome, Fenerbahce defeated Real Madrid – the No. 1 seed and a team containing the MVP, Sergio Llull – 84-75 to set up an encounter with Olympiacos Piraeus in the championship game. 

As we all know, Fenerbahce ended up topping the Reds 80-64 after big-time performances by [Ekpe Udoh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ekpe-udoh/006503/), [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/), [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/), [Gigi Datome](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luigi-datome/ccd/) and [Bogdan Bogdanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bogdan-bogdanovic/002821/). As such, Fenerbahce became the first Turkish team to lift the EuroLeague title.

In the first episode of the EuroLeague 25 Moments series, listen to coach Zeljko Obradovic, general manager Maurizio Gherardini, Udoh, Vesely, Datome and Bogdanovic as they relive some highlights from Fenerbahce's championship run.

More Fenerbahce News

Fenerbahce Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus (2017-05-21T18:00:00.000Z)

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips ahead of Round 29.

Fantasy tips, Round 29: An array of enticing options

Round 29 comes with a lot of good games and plenty of opportunities in the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/). 

This week's Rivalry Series clash, [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) against [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/), is the highlight in this round, but there are plenty of fantasy opportunities everywhere. 

These are my five recommendations this week. 

### Joel Bolomboy, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (14.1 credits) 

Hands down, the best center in the game right now. [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) has been able to deliver night in, night out in recent games. He had a PIR of 16 or better in each of his last five games, averaging 10.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and a PIR of 20.4. A must-have player right now! 

### Melvin Ajinca, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (5.1 credits) 

All of a sudden, [Melvin Ajinca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/melvin-ajinca/010316/) has become a great budget option. He has been outstanding in the last two games, getting 18 points on 6-of-7 threes, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a PIR of 24 against Panathinaikos, and following that up with a strong game against Maccabi with 14 points and a PIR of 13.

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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/C_0z26Ns7zE/?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 Melvin Ajinça (@melvinajc)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Juancho Hernangomez, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (14.1 credits) 

[Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) is playing some of his best basketball right now, with great consistency. In the last six games, Hernangomez has averaged 12.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and a PIR of 19.7. With the Greek derby coming up, Panathinaikos should rely on Hernangomez are one of its go-to men. 

### Vincent Poirier, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (13.1 credits) 

[Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) has put together two strong performances and should carry that momentum into this week's game against Bayern. He got 14 points, 6 rebounds and a PIR of 17 against 17 against ALBA before doing even better against Virtus with 18 points, 13 rebounds and a season-high PIR of 29. Wow! 

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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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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/DGq3qP0ClrP/?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 Vincent Poirier (@viinze_17p)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Yanni Wetzell, ALBA Berlin (9.9 credits) 

A relatively cheap option for a very reliable player. [Yanni Wetzell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yanni-wetzell/011934/) has scored in double digits in each of the last seven games, reaching 22 points against Maccabi and 20 against Efes. Wetzell also had a double-digit PIR in eight of his last nine games. At 9.9 credits, what's not to like? 

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips ahead of Round 29

FC Barcelona v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2025-03-14T19:45:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-03-14T19:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-03-14T19:15:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2025-03-13T18:00:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Real Madrid (2025-03-13T19:45:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v AS Monaco (2025-03-13T19:05:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2025-03-13T19:00:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Paris Basketball (2025-03-13T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2025-03-13T17:45:00.000Z)

Kevin Punter, Theo Maledon and Kendrick Nunn are among the top clutch scorers in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague based on data from Synergy Sports

Stats review: Who are the league's best clutch scorers?

With six games remaining in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, the pressure is on as it is make-or-break time throughout the standings. This year has had no shortage of high-pressure moments, and it will be interesting to see if the players who have excelled late in close games to this point are the same ones who shape the final month of the season.

The table above lists this season’s top scorers in clutch situations - possessions in the final 5 minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime where the margin on the scoreboard is no greater than 5 points. [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) leads all players in clutch scoring by a comfortable margin this season. While Punter is unlikely to match the 87 points scored by [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) in the clutch last season and [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) during the 2020-21 campaign, his efficiency has been exceptional; Punter is 8-of-15 from beyond the arc and 16-of-17 at the foul line, which has helped [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2024-25) secure close wins to rise back into the playoff picture.

Opportunity is a factor in this list as [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) and Barcelona have played more clutch minutes than any other teams this season. However, it is not everything, as [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) matched [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/)’s clutch output with [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2024-25) ranking in the middle of the pack. He’s responsible for nearly a third of the Greens' clutch scoring - an incredible feat as Panathinaikos leads the EuroLeague in clutch scoring efficiency among teams.

[Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) is an interesting addition to this list, as he is [Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/roster/vir/?season=2024-25)’s third-leading scorer on the year but has been the focal point of its attack at times late in games. [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) and [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/), in contrast, lead their respective teams in scoring and have made shots more steadily in key moments than their numbers suggest, as they have been very effective from the field when they have avoided turnovers.

[TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) and [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) are the lone set of teammates on this list due in large part to just how many close games [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/) has played this season. Shorts has been dynamic in midrange spots late in games while Hifi has shot the three well and committed only 2 turnovers closing out games despite his point production. Falling into the Play-in Showdown zone after last week’s result, it will be fascinating to see how the EuroLeague newcomers close out the year as they join a dozen other teams that still have a lot riding on how they close out the season.

Kevin Punter, Theo Maledon and Kendrick Nunn are among the leaders in clutch scoring this season

High-flying Olympiacos celebrates 100th birthday with eyes set on the prize

A dominant [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) may have grabbed [an 82-70 victory over Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-rolls-on-with-smooth-win-over-partizan-82-70/) on Friday night, but what stole the spotlight at the Peace and Friendship Stadium was the pre-game celebrations to honor the club’s 100th birthday.

An emotional video displayed on the jumbotron was followed by the presentation of Olympiacos’s players, who, led by captain [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/), proceeded to unfold a banner that wished the team a happy birthday, noting that “100 years are not enough” by quoting a chant created by fans to commemorate the occasion.

Meanwhile, another larger banner was unfurled at the stands depicting the anniversary badge, used by every section of the Greek multi-sport club to celebrate this special year. The logo was surrounded by thousands of chart papers lifted by the fans to form Olympiacos’s signature red-and-white stripes.

The decibels skyrocketed while the starters prepared for the tipoff, with the arena bouncing until the final whistle. In the meantime, wearing the anniversary jersey designed by the club, seven Olympiacos players would score at least 8 points each, with the hosts recording 25 assists to down one of the most in-form teams in the competition.

What better way to celebrate your 100th anniversary than winning by putting on display your signature altruistic, self-sacrificing, next-man-up style of play instilled into the team by head coach Georgios Bartzokas?

“This is a very important period for the club,” Bartzokas admitted in the postgame press conference. “We feel proud to be members of Olympiacos at this time when the club is celebrating its 100th anniversary. We will try to do our best to live up to the expectations.”

Expectations are always sky-high for the Reds, taking into account the successful history of the club. Founded on March 10, 1925, Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus quickly became a sense of identity for working-class people in the port city of Athens.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ABSOLUTE SCENES IN OLYMPIACOS 👀<br><br>Olympiacos celebrating 100 years of the club 😍<a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympiacos_BC</a> <a href="https://t.co/xwPG4ohLzh">pic.twitter.com/xwPG4ohLzh</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1898090754049745243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What started as a local sports club based in Piraeus would turn into an organization that would celebrate international titles in football, basketball, volleyball (men's and women's) and water polo (men’s and women’s).

Last season, Olympiacos became the first Greek club to win a European trophy in football by celebrating UEFA Conference League triumph on May 29, 2024. A month earlier, Olympiacos’s academy products had clinched the UEFA Youth League trophy - the Reds becoming the only club in the continent whose men and youth team have both celebrated a European title in the same season.

### A powerhouse in European basketball

Olympiacos’s basketball team was founded at the end of the 1930s and would go on to become one of the most adored sections of the club. After finishing as runner-up in the 1994 and 1995 EuroLeague Final Fours, the Reds finally went all the way to glory in 1997 by beating FC Barcelona in the Championship Game.

The MVP of that game was David Rivers, one of the numerous legendary players to have donned the red-and-white stripes over the years along with EuroLeague icons Zarko Paspalj, [Alphonso Ford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alphonso-ford/acf/), [Theo Papaloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/theodoros-papaloukas/atw/) and [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vassilis-spanoulis/juo/), among others.

The latter was the undisputed leader of the team during the recent glory years that saw Olympiacos join the exclusive club of teams that have won back-to-back EuroLeague trophies by clinching titles in 2012 and 2013. Along with future captains [Georgios Printezis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/georgios-printezis/amm/) and Papanikolaou, Spanoulis laid the foundation for Olympiacos to become one of the most competitive teams in the league.

In fact, the Reds have reached 13 Final Fours, including nine appearances over the last 15 years (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023 and 2024). Last term, Olympiacos clinched Final Four participation for the third year in a row – something it achieved for the first time in its illustrious history.

What they’ve been missing, though, is the much-desired fourth EuroLeague trophy – the major objective in the 2024-25 campaign. Olympiacos aims to go all the way in its bid to offer the title as the perfect gift to the fans for the 100th birthday of the club.

“We need a bit of luck, to be healthy, to live up to expectations,” Bartzokas added. “The club provides me with everything, the presidents \[sign\] good players, the front office \[offers\] the best conditions. The last few years we are where we are, \[because\] we are working at a good level. Sometimes you need luck, hopefully, we will have more this year.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">🔴⚪ 𝝤𝝠𝝪𝝡𝝥𝝞𝝖𝝟𝝤𝝨 𝝨𝝪𝝢𝝙𝝚𝝨𝝡𝝤𝝨 𝝫𝝞𝝠𝝖𝝝𝝠𝝮𝝢 𝝥𝝚𝝞𝝦𝝖𝝞𝝮𝝨 🔴⚪️<br><br>𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝝬𝝦𝝤𝝢𝝞𝝖 𝝝𝝦𝝪𝝠𝝤𝝨<br><br>💯 Χρόνια Δύναμης<br>💯 Χρόνια Πάθους<br>💯 Χρόνια Υπερηφάνειας<br>💯 Χρόνια Τίτλων και Διακρίσεων<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympiacos100?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympiacos100</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/100LegendaryYears?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#100LegendaryYears</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Piraeus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Piraeus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Greece?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Greece</a>… <a href="https://t.co/8zcNzdcs1Q">pic.twitter.com/8zcNzdcs1Q</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1898854326623457466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### High hopes for EuroLeague success in 2025

In pursuit of the title, Olympiacos brought back former EuroLeague MVP [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) and [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) from the NBA. This explosive duo has carried the Reds to the top of the standings, with Olympiacos being the first team to clinch a postseason spot this season.

Having won 12 of their last 13 games, the Reds currently boast a league-best 21-7 record, with their next objectives being to secure a top-six finish and then home-court advantage for postseason.

Olympiacos has six games left to end the regular season, but the duel that stands out is the derby against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Friday night.

Boasting two of the best teams in the competition this campaign, the two title contenders will face off for the second time following Olympiacos’s 89-94 triumph at OAKA in Round 8. It remains to be seen if the Reds will manage to double their wins over their eternal rivals or whether the reigning champion will avenge the aforementioned defeat.

In the meantime, Monday will be a highly significant day for Olympiacos fans, who will celebrate their club officially turning 100 years old. With Bartzokas’s side flying high this season in the EuroLeague, everyone has their eyes on the prize.

And as MVP candidate Sasha Vezenkov admitted in his official presentation back in the summer, it’s quite clear what that prize is.

“My goal is not to win MVP, but to win the EuroLeague,” he stressed. “That's the only thing on my mind. What it will take to do it, my coach and I will figure it out. I'll do everything. That's all I care about. The most important thing is to be healthy.”

More Olympiacos News

The successful multi-sport club was founded in Piraeus back on March 10, 1925

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Joel Bolomboy of Crvena Zvezda denies Bayern's Carsen Edwards

David McCormack of ALBA Berlin dunks against Barcelona

Evan Fournier of Olympiacos dribbles past Partizan's Arijan Lakic

Roman Sorkin of Maccabi soars to dunk against ASVEL

Achille Polonara of Virtus rises to contest a shot by Efes's Rolands Smits

Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid rises to shoot in front of Panathinaikos's Juancho Hernangomez

Shaquielle McKissic of Olympiacos dunks on Partizan's Balsa Koprivica

Jordan Loyd of Milan dribbles past Paris's Maodo Lo

Laurynas Birutis of Zalgiris emotes after dunking against Baskonia

Jilson Bango of Fenerbahce rises to dunk in front of Milan's Nikola Mirotic

Look back at all the action from Round 28 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

Top 10 photos of the week: Round 28

A pair of dominant performances have seen FC Bayern Munich’s Carsen Edwards and Anadolu Efes Istanbul’s Vincent Poirier share co-MVP honors in Round 28 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. 

Round 28 co-MVPs: Carsen Edwards, Vincent Poirier

A pair of dominant performances have seen FC Bayern Munich’s [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) and Anadolu Efes Istanbul’s [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) share co-MVP honors in Round 28 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Both Edwards and Poirier finished with a 29 PIR, the highest in this round. Edwards erupted for 30 points on 4-of-7 two-pointers, 6-of-10 triples and 4-of-5 free throws as Bayern beat Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 100-82. He also posted 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal and 7 drawn fouls. This is the second time that Edwards has been the MVP of the Round, having also earned this honor in Round 23 of this current season. Poirier, meanwhile, had an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double as Efes defeated Virtus Segafredo Bologna 89-68. He reached those 18 points after shooting 7 for 11 on two-pointers and 4 for 5 from the line. Poirier also added 1 steal, 1 block and 4 fouls drawn. This is the fourth time that he has taken home MVP of the Round honors, having previously done so in Round 12 of the 2017-18 season, in Game 2 of the 2019 playoffs and Game 2 of the 2022 playoffs.

In third place this week is Zvezda’s Joel Bolomboy, who had a monster night on the glass in his team’s loss at Bayern. Bolomboy, who had a 28 PIR, grabbed 19 rebounds – the most of any player this season – of which 12 came on the offensive end, also a EuroLeague season high and the second most all-time. He netted 12 points on 6-of-8 two-pointers, made 2 assists, blocked 1 shot and drew 1 foul. Fourth place in Round 28 is occupied by Bayern’s [Vladimir Lucic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vladimir-lucic/001288/), who amassed 18 points on 3-of-5 two-pointers, 3-of-4 triples and 3-of-6 free throws, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, zero turnovers and 7 drawn fouls for a PIR of 26. Rounding out of the list of top performers this week is AS Monaco’s [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) with a 25 PIR. Loyd scored 21 points on 4-of-5 two-pointers, 4-of-4 three-pointers and 1-of-1 free throws as Monaco beat Paris Basketball 79-91, with the American also posting 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, zero turnovers and 2 fouls drawn.

### Individual highs: Joel Bolomboy, Zvezda, 19 rebounds

Bayern’s Carsen Edwards poured in 30 points in Round 28, the most of any player. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens star [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) leads the EuroLeague in scoring with 20.6 points per game.

Zvezda center Bolomboy set a EuroLeague season high with the 19 rebounds he pulled down in this round. He also tops the rebounding charts with 8.5 boards per night.

FC Barcelona’s [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) posted a career-high 12 assists, which is the best mark of any player this week. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv’s [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) is the league’s leading assist provider with 7.2 per contest.

Seven players recorded 3 steals in Round 28: Olympiacos Piraeus’s [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/), LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne’s [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/), Maccabi’s [Jimmy Clark](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jimmy-clark-iii/013699/), Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz’s [Luka Samanic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luka-samanic/007579/), ALBA Berlin’s [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matteo-spagnolo/008173/), Monaco’s [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) and Paris’s [Daulton Hommes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daulton-hommes/011949/). Bayern ballhawk [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) averages a league-best 1.7 steals per game.

Baskonia’s [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/) finished with 3 blocks, the most in this round. Monaco’s [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) (1.41 BPG) has a slender lead over Real Madrid’s [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (1.39 BPG) at the top of the charts in blocks.

Vincent Poirier (18 points, 13 rebounds), Joel Bolomboy (12 points, 19 rebounds) and Neal Sako (10 points, 11 rebounds) were the only players to record a double-double in Round 28.

This is the second time Edwards has secured the award, and the fourth time for Poirier

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 27th winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Alican Utku Ozler beat everyone else in Round 27 with his team 'Polestar', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 245.00.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 27 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 28th winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Nontas Gligoris beat everyone else in Round 28 with his team 'BC Spanox', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 232.55.

Nontas had the following starting lineup: Carsen Edwards of FC Bayern Munich as team captain, then his Bayern teammate Vladimir Lucic, Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus, Joel Bolomboy of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Elijah Bryant of Anadolu Efes Istanbul. His sixth man was Efes's Vincent Poirier. The rest of the bench consisted of Barcelona's Dario Brizuela, Bonzie Colson of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Zvezda's Isaiah Canaan and Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid. His team's head coach was Anadolu Efes Istanbul play-caller Luca Banchi.

The prize for finishing first in Round 28 is a free VIP Euroleague TV subscription for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Nontas!

Marko Djukic and his team 'Kughat' remains the leader of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) overall standings with 4,781.09 points.

Trades are now open for Round 29. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season. You can either trade up to four players, or a head coach and three players.

The first game in Round 29 tips off on Thursday, March 13, as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul hosts LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne at 18:45 CET. That game marks the next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner!

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