These players are the lucky few that have managed to reach the pinnacle in both the EuroLeague and FIBA continental competitions.

Celebrating those who have worn EuroLeague and FIBA continental crowns

Even though it is never easy to find success on both a club and national team level, some have managed to do just that. In fact, every EuroBasket-winning team in the 21st century has had at least one Turkish Airlines EuroLeague or BKT EuroCup winner on its roster.

### No one has won more than King Rudy

In recent years, Spain's dominance at the EuroBasket has allowed some players to put together a legendary roll of honors. No one more than [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rudy-fernandez/bmt/), who first won the EuroCup with Joventut Badalona in 2008 and then added EuroBasket crowns in 2009 and 2011. In 2015, he won the EuroLeague with Real Madrid and a EuroBasket gold in a space of a few months! He added more EuroLeague championships in 2018 and 2023 and another EuroBasket gold in 2022.

If Fernandez wins a fourth EuroLeague title, he will be the first player to win the top European competitions at the club and national team level four times each. Fernandez's achievements also include two FIBA Basketball World Cup titles, three Olympic medals, six Spanish Leagues championships, six Spanish Cups and the only Intercontinental Cup he took part in, with Real in 2015.

Fernandez leads a short list of players who won the EuroLeague, EuroCup and EuroBasket titles. [Ricky Rubio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rubio-ricky/lfw/) won the EuroLeague with FC Barcelona (2010), the EuroCup with Joventut (2008) and two EuroBaskets with Spain (2009, 2011) before age 21. That list also includes [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) (CSKA Moscow 2015, 2019, Valencia Basket 2010, France 2013), [Aleksey Savrasenko](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksey-savrasenko/alr/) (Olympiacos Piraeus 1997, CSKA 2006, 2008, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar 2013, Russia 2007), [Antonis Fotsis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/antonis-fotsis/bez/) (Panathinaikos Athens 2000, 2009, 2011, Dynamo Moscow 2006, Greece 2005), [Felipe Reyes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/felipe-reyes/aax/) (Real 2015, 2018, Real 2007, Spain 2009, 2011, 2015), [Lazaros Papadopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lazaros-papadopoulos/app/) (Panathinaikos 2002, Olympiacos 2012, Dynamo 2006, Greece 2005) and [Dejan Tomasevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dejan-tomasevic/afc/) (Panathinaikos 2007, Valencia 2003, Yugoslavia 1995, 1997 and 2001).

### More multiple-time winners

There is also an elite group of players who have won the EuroBasket and the EuroLeague three times. Only two of them won all six trophies in the 21st century: Fernandez and longtime teammate [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) (Real 2015, 2018, 2023; Spain (2009, 2011, 2015). Recent three-time EuroLeague and EuroBasket winners also include [Dejan Bodiroga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bodiroga-dejan/apn/) (Panathinaikos 2000, 2002, Barca 2003; Yugoslavia 1995, 1997, 2001) and [Zoran Savic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zoran-savic/aoe/) (Split 1990, 1991, Virtus Segafredo Bologna 1998; Yugoslavia 1991, 1995, 1997).

You have to go way back to complete the list with Gennady Volnov (CSKA 1961, 1963, 1969; Soviet Union 1959, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969), Janis Krumins (ASK Riga 1958, 1959, 1960, Soviet Union 1959, 1961, 1963), Valdis Muiznieks (ASK Riga 1958, 1959, 1960; Soviet Union 1957, 1959, 1961) and Maigonis Valdmanis (ASK Riga 1958, 1959, 1960; Soviet Union 1957, 1959, 1961).

### Coaches Obradovic and Gomelskiy set the standard

When it comes to head coaches, two names stand out. Zeljko Obradovic captured nine EuroLeague titles with five different teams: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in 1992, Joventut in 1994, Real in 1995, Panathinaikos in 2000, 2002, 2007, 2009 and 2011, and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in 2017, and lifted the EuroBasket trophy with Yugoslavia in 1997. If you think 10 combined titles are unbeatable, think again. Alexander Gomelskiy led ASK Riga to the first-ever EuroLeague three-peat from 1958 to 1960, won a fourth title with CSKA in 1971 and added seven EuroBasket crowns with the Soviet Union (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1979 and 1981).

### More and more champions!

Some 41 players have won either the EuroLeague, the EuroCup, or both, as well as a EuroBasket gold medal in the 21st century. [Marko Jaric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-jaric/anm/) was the first player to win the EuroLeague and the EuroBasket in the 21st century, getting both titles in 2001. Bodiroga and Tomasevic were his 2001 EuroBasket teammates and went on to win the EuroLeague. The only Lithuanian to claim EuroLeague and EuroBasket titles was [Sarunas Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/saras-jasikevicius/adg/) (Barca 2003, Maccabi Tel Aviv 2004, 2005, Panathinaikos 2009, Lithuania 2003). [Eurelijus Zukauskas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/eurelijus-zukauskas/adx/), [Mindaugas Zukauskas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mindaugas-zukauskas/ags/) and [Saulius Stombergas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/saulius-stombergas/ajh/) narrowly missed the cut, winning EuroBasket 2003 with Lithuania and the EuroLeague with Zalgiris Kaunas... in 1999.

There were 11 EuroLeague winners — or future winners — on the 12-man Greek squad that won EuroBasket 2005: [Ioannis Bourousis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ioannis-bourousis/aqu/), [Dimitris Diamantidis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dimitris-diamantidis/jko/), [Dimos Dikoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dimos-dikoudis/abb/), [Antonis Fotsis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/antonis-fotsis/bez/), [Nikos Chatzivrettas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikos-hatzivrettas/bcs/), [Lazaros Papadopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lazaros-papadopoulos/app/), [Theo Papaloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/theodoros-papaloukas/atw/), [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vassilis-spanoulis/juo/), [Kostas Tsartsaris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-tsartsaris/acn/), [Panos Vasilopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/panagiotis-vasilopoulos/jrf/) and [Nikos Zisis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikos-zisis/abn/). Only [Michalis Kakiouzis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/michailis-kakiouzis/abg/), who reached three EuroLeague Final Fours, didn't lift the trophy. [J.R. Holden](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jr-holden/aqo/) and [Victor Khryapa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/victor-khryapa/bcq/) join Savrasenko as Russian winners, [Anthony Randolph](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/anthony-randolph/005757/) and [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/) won EuroBasket 2017 with Slovenia and the EuroLeague with Real in 2018, and the rest of the names are Spanish: Fernandez, Llull, Rubio, Reyes, [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/), [Juan Carlos Navarro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juan-carlos-navarro/adi/) and [Victor Sada](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/victor-sada/bgo/).

Plenty of Spanish players join Rubio, Reyes and Fernandez as EuroCup and EuroBasket winners: [Alberto Diaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/alberto-diaz/004213/), [Pablo Aguilar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/pablo-aguilar/ksf/), [Victor Claver](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/victor-claver/000556/), [Pau Ribas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/pau-ribas/jug/), [Fernando San Emeterio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/fernando-san-emeterio/000518/), [Guillem Vives](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/guillem-vives/002361/) and [Alex Mumbru](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/alex-mumbru/bfj/). The list is completed by [Antoine Diot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/antoine-diot/tfk/), [Mickael Gelabale](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mickael-gelabale/bhn/) and [Florent Pietrus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/florent-pietrus/azk/) of France, Savrasenko, [Sergey Bykov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sergey-bykov/kos/), [Sergey Monya](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sergey-monia/bfx/), [Zakhar Pashutin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/zakhar-pashutin/ayu/) and [Petr Samoylenko](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/petr-samoylenko/kvk/) of Russia, Papadopoulos and Fotsis of Greece, and Tomasevic of Serbia.

### Celebrating the seven EuroLeague and AmeriCup champions

The list of players who have trophies as champions of both the EuroLeague and the FIBA AmeriCup is short. It features seven names: [Manu Ginobili](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/emanuel-ginobili/akx/), [Pepe Sanchez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/pepe-sanchez/azu/), [Andres Nocioni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/andres-nocioni/apr/), [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) and [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) of Argentina, [Anderson Varejao](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/anderson-varejao/bbw/) of Brazil and [Gustavo Ayon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gustavo-ayon/005927/) of Mexico.

The first to lay claim to this honor was Ginobili, who in 2001 won the EuroLeague with Virtus Bologna and later that summer won the AmeriCup. His Argentina teammate that summer, Sanchez, was next when he claimed a EuroLeague championship the next year with Panathinaikos. Andres Nocioni, who — like Ginobili and Sanchez — won the AmeriCup for the second time in 2011, tasted EuroLeague glory for the first time in 2015.

Nocioni is one of the three Argentinians to win the AmeriCup as well as the EuroLeague with Real. Campazzo was already a two-time EuroLeague champion (2015, 2018) when he won the AmeriCup alongside Deck in 2022. Deck then joined the club by winning the EuroLeague with Real last season.

Ayon joins Campazzo as the only player to win the EuroLeague twice as well as the AmeriCup. Ayon, who won the 2013 AmeriCup with Mexico, was a teammate of Campazzo on both the 2015 and 2018 Real squads. Brazil's Varejao completes the list; he was a EuroLeague champion with Barcelona in 2003 and an AmeriCup champion in both 2005 and 2009.

### A single EuroLeague and AfroBasket

[Salah Mejri](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/salah-mejri/005196/) from Tunisia is a two-time AfroBasket winner (2011, 2021), the 2011 AfroBasket MVP and, with Real Madrid, won the 2015 EuroLeague. He is the only player with both titles, though Senegal's [Boniface Ndong](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/boniface-ndong/tge/) came pretty close. Ndong won the EuroLeague in 2010 with Barcelona and earlier was named the 2005 AfroBasket MVP even though Senegal finished second after a narrow loss to Angola.

More players will surely add their names to these lists in 2025 when a new crop of EuroBasket, AmeriCup and AfroBasket winners celebrate atop the podium.

Not many players have won the EuroLeague and been crowned continental champions with their national teams. Let's see who has.

### Partizan advances to finals in Serbian Cup

It will be another edition of the Belgrade derby on Sunday in the final of the Serbian Cup! Partizan Mozzart Bet Begrade defeated Vojvodina on Friday, 67-80, and advanced to the title game where it will meet Crvena Zvezda. Partizan started ahead in the first quarter and never looked back.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Crno-beli su u finalu Mozzart Kupa Radivoj Korać!✊🏽⚫️⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KupKorac?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KupKorac</a> <a href="https://t.co/FrAiHTrBT4">pic.twitter.com/FrAiHTrBT4</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1758615043124433088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Fenerbahce rolls into finals over Besiktas

It will be the quintessential Turkish basketball derby in the Turkish Cup as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Anadolu Efes Istanbul will be playing for the title on Sunday. In the second semifinal, Fenerbahce routed Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul by 99-68 on Friday night. Johnathan Motley led the winners with 23 points, Sertac Sanli and Tarik Biberovic posted 13 apiede and Marko Guduric had 11. For Besiktas, Marko Simonovic led the way with 19 points and Jonah Mathews had 10. The game was broken open already from the first quarter, which Fenerbahce took by storm for a 32-8 after 10 minutes. Besiktas had a hard time to come back after that, even more so when Fenerbahce also won the second quarter and made it 61-28 at the break. The second half was a mere formality as Fenerbahce got ready to face Efes in the Sunday final.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ht" dir="ltr">Ｍ 😎 Ｔ Ｌ Ｅ Ｙ<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/SOY8fcyblI">pic.twitter.com/SOY8fcyblI</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1758590133211672938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Monaco makes its way to French semis

AS Monaco advanced to the French Cup semifinals on Friday thanks to a 94-81 win over Le Mans. Monaco will be facing Paris Basketball on Saturday. Up to six players scored in double digits for Monaco, starting with Alpha Diallo, who led his team with 15 points. Mike James and Jordan Loyd contributed 11 points apiece while three more players had 10 each: Mam Jaiteh, Petr Cornelie and Jaron Blossomgame. Monaco started the game on a roll, and thanks to consistent offense it managed to hit the lockerrooms for the halftime break with a 63-44 lead over Le Mans. In the second half, Le Mans never surrendered and competed until the the end. In fact, Le Mans limited Monaco to just 10 points in the final quarter, but it was already too late as Monaco made its way onto the following round.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🚀 𝘿𝙄𝙍𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 𝙇𝙀𝙎 𝘿𝙀𝙈𝙄-𝙁𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙀𝙎 🔥<br><br>✅️ Grâce à un récital offensif en première mi-temps, la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> impose sa loi 🆚️ <a href="https://twitter.com/MSB_Officiel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MSB_Officiel</a> 💯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeadersCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeadersCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/A189C8jyMK">pic.twitter.com/A189C8jyMK</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1758571028211462535?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Four players lead Barca in double digits to advance to semis

FC Barcelona advamced to the semifinals of the Spanish King's Cup on Friday thanks to a 102-91 win over BAXI Manresa. Jabari Parker led the winners with 19 points, Nico Laprovittola added 18, Willy Hernangomez had 16 plus 10 rebounds and Jan Vesely posted 14. Manresa started the game controlling the siatuation and was one point ahead after 10 minutes. However, two twin 28-20 quarters in second and fourth were enough for Barcelona to jump ahead and never look back. With 44 rebounds over Manresa's 31, Barca dominated the paint and the tempo of the game, and now will meet the winner of the game between Unicaja and Tenerife in the semis on Saturday.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">A SEMIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <a href="https://t.co/rQp5AqPFB6">pic.twitter.com/rQp5AqPFB6</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1758567157837844833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Zvezda advances to the Serbian Cup finals

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade did not have any problems on Friday to advance to the Serbian Cup finals, thanks to a 52-87 overwhelming win over Cacak. Luka Mitrovic led the winners with 15 points, Dalibor Ilic added 13, Nemanja Nedovic had 11 and Dejan Davidovac contributed 10. After 5 minutes, the game was tied 15-15, and with 4 minutes to go in the second quarter, it was 23-25. However, Zvezda hit a 0-10 run to go into the halftime break, that turned into 1-20 way into the third quarter from which Cacak could not recover.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Idemo u finale ✅️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/sportmts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sportmts</a> <a href="https://t.co/koM22UhDqi">pic.twitter.com/koM22UhDqi</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1758547813514822028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Olympiacos makes Greek Cup semis

Olympiacos Piraeus advanced to the semifinals of the Greek Cup on Friday thanks to a 87-68 decision over Peristeri, coached by the Reds' legend Vassilis Spanoulis. Olympiacos dominated with a double-digit lead for most of the game. The bad news for the Reds is that Nigel Williams-Goss had to leave the court after just 42 seconds of play with injury. He will have to undergo further tests.  

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">Final 8 Greek Cup: Final 🏀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> - Περιστέρι 87-68 (40&#39;) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OLYPER?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OLYPER</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CupMenHellas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CupMenHellas</a> <a href="https://t.co/XZXkU4mJCK">pic.twitter.com/XZXkU4mJCK</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1758551620256776563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Efes advances to the Turkish Cup final

Anadolu Efes Istanbul advanced to the Turkish Cup final on Friday with a 81-77 win over Pinar Karsiyaka. The game was tied at 49-49 in minute 27, and both teams kept trading leads. However, in the last period, Efes seemed to find a way to enlarge the leaf to 69-61 with 5 minutes to go. Karsiyaka never gave up and started trimming down the deficit little by little, but when Elijah Bryant fed Shane Larkin under the basket for a 78-72 with 14 seconds to go, Efes managed to breathe again and start thinking about the final. Larkin led Efes with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Tibor Pleiss added 16 and 10 boards and Will Clyburn had 10 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Efes will play Fenerbahce in the final on Sunday.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">📢 <a href="https://twitter.com/Migros_Turkiye?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Migros_Turkiye</a> ile Pınar Karşıyaka karşılaşmamızın <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MVP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MVP</a>’si Shane Larkin!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LarkinSize%C4%B0yiGelecek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LarkinSizeİyiGelecek</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rkn6lnTwv9">pic.twitter.com/Rkn6lnTwv9</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1758538243673395564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### ASVEL gets stopped by Nanterre

LDLC ASVEL Lyon Villeurbanne will not continue competing for the French Cup title as it was ousted by Nanterre, 78-82, in the quarterfinals. ASVEL started the game dominating the firat quarter, but Nanterre won the folling three to escape with the win. Joffrey Lauvergne led ASVEL with 14 points and 6 rebounds, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot posted 11 points and Mike Scott 10. Nando De Colo drilled a three to make it 78-79 in the final seconds of the game, but that's as far as ASVEL would go in the game.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Les Villeurbannais s’inclinent face à <a href="https://twitter.com/Nanterre92?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nanterre92</a> et ne conserveront pas leur titre à la Leaders Cup.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/7wl4dTmmM1">pic.twitter.com/7wl4dTmmM1</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1758528505162162232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams will meet in the Turkish final on Sunday. The same will happen in Serbia!

Domestic cups: Cup finals will have Istanbul and Belgrade derbies!

Here are the best contenders to win the EuroLeague MVP award after 26 rounds of the 2023-24 season.

Awards Watch: EuroLeague MVP

With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on a two-week hiatus from games, it is the perfect time to look back at the top performers from the first 26 rounds of the regular season and to look ahead and make our early picks for some of the end-of-season awards. 

Several [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) staff members will take part and reveal their choices. After sharing their selections for the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy on Monday, the EuroLeague Best Defender Trophy on Tuesday and the All-EuroLeague First Team on Wednesday and the All-EuroLeague Second Team on Thursday, today we analyze the EuroLeague MVP. 

### Mike James’s MVP is a long time coming

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Ever since Round 1, [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) has been on fire for AS Monaco. I actually feel like James should be on course to win his second MVP award, as I strongly believe that he deserved it in the 2021-22 season. After all, he led Monaco to the EuroLeague Playoffs in its first-ever year in the competition and took Olympiacos Piraeus to a do-or-die Game 5, but instead, it went to Nikola Mirotic, then of FC Barcelona. This season, though, there can’t be any doubt. You just need to watch a Monaco game and you’ll be convinced; James is a maestro who puts on a show night in, night out – and without him, his team would be a lot worse off. Not only does James lead the way in both scoring (19.4 ppg.) and PIR (21.6), but he will become the EuroLeague’s all-time top scorer very soon, too. Whether it’s putting the ball in the cup or playmaking for his teammates, the 33-year-old is at the top of his game and has been in inspired form all season long. Now in his 10th EuroLeague campaign, James is comfortably the frontrunner to be the MVP in my eyes.

The best plays of AS Monaco star Mike James between Rounds 1 and 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Mike James's top plays in 2023-24

### James fits all the criteria 

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

If the season ended today and I was asked for my MVP pick, the first thing I would say is: “Why did the season end after only 26 rounds?” And the second thing I would say is “Mike James.” It is important to remember, however, that the season is not over yet. When making my final choice for EuroLeague MVP, the final standings and playoff performances must be taken into account. That said, as of February 16, there is no more deserving candidate. Not only is he the only player in the league ranked among the top 10 in PIR, scoring, assists and steals, but he leads in the first two of those categories. Of course, individual excellence is not the only criterion for being MVP and James, along with Monaco, excels in the others. Monaco is in the heart of the battle for home-court advantage in the playoffs with an advantageous schedule the rest of the way and James has meant as much to his team – if not more – than the stars on the other contenders. It should all add up to his first MVP trophy.  

### Lessort has irreplaceable value for the Greens

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Proving how dominant and, more than anything, consistently good he has been or Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, in 21 of his 26 appearances [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) has posted a PIR of at least 15 and his 18.6 average PIR is currently tied for fourth in the league. Lessort also ranks eighth in rebounding (6.1 rpg.) and fourth in offensive rebounding (2.4 orpg.), while scoring a career-best 13.3 points on 62.9% shooting. A nightmare to defend in the paint, no player in the EuroLeague has drawn more fouls than Lessort's 6.6 per game, and he leads all centers with 28:07 minutes played as one of only two centers playing more than 25 minutes per night.

The big man finished with a single-digit PIR in just two games this season and both were Panathinaikos losses. Moreover, of the four games in which he scored less than 10  points, three came in Panathinaikos losses. It is easy to see the difference between Lessort's numbers in the Greens' wins and losses. In 16 victories, he has averaged 14.4 points on 67.5% shooting along with 6.6 rebounds for an average PIR of 20.9. In the Greens' 10 losses, Lessort posted 11.6 points on 54.9% shooting with 5.3 rebounds with an average performance index rating of 14.8. Add to the equation the enormous energy he brings every single night and it is hard to find a player more valuable to his team this season than Mathias Lessort.

Mathias Lessort has posted a PIR of at least 15 in 21 game this season, and his 18.6 average PIR is currently tied for fourth in the league. Lessort also ranks eighth in rebounding (6.1 rpg.) and fourth in offensive rebounding (2.4 orpg.), while scoring a career-best 13.3 points on 62.9% shooting

MVP awards watch: Mathias Lessort

### Mike James, hands down!

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

A lot of things can change in the coming months but right now, it is a no-brainer. Mike James is playing better than ever and deserves to be the 2023-24 EuroLeague MVP. He is averaging 19.4 points, a career-high 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists for a PIR average of 21.6. James has hit 42.3% of his three-point shots, which is much better than his career average (33.8% 3FG). James had similar numbers (19.8 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 6.4 apg., 20.2 PIR) for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the 2018-19 season but his team didn't make the playoffs. This time, AS Monaco is well on its way to a third consecutive playoff appearance, with a good chance to return to the Final Four. Moreover, James is about to become the EuroLeague's all-time top scorer, which would be the icing on the cake of an MVP season. He has scored in double digits in every game until now for the first time in his career, showing great consistency. James leads the EuroLeague in scoring and PIR, too. Even his biggest haters have to agree on this: right now, James is well on his way to claim the MVP trophy for the first time in his EuroLeague career.

Check out the favorites below, according to Euroleague.net journalists

You can now watch the second episode of Euroleague Basketball Originals’ latest documentary, "Overseas", on YouTube.

Episode 2 of “Overseas” released on YouTube: How three EuroLeague stars adapted to life abroad

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is full of players who have switched countries in order to pursue their dreams. In the “Overseas” documentary series, which focuses on EA7 Emporio Armani Milan’s Kyle Hines, Olympiacos Piraeus’s Shaquielle McKissic and AS Monaco’s Donatas Motiejunas, fans are able to get a glimpse of the ups and downs of being a professional basketball player overseas.

Hines, a four-time EuroLeague champion, has been playing in Europe since 2008 and in Europe’s premier club basketball competition since 2010. From Sicklerville, New Jersey, in the United States, Hines’s EuroLeague career has seen him play in Germany (Brose Bamberg, 2010-11), Greece (Olympiacos, 2011-13), Russia (CSKA Moscow, 2013-20) and now Italy (2020-present), where he first began his professional career with Veroli Basket back in 2008.

McKissic signed for Olympiacos during the 2019-20 season, which gave him the chance to make his EuroLeague debut. He has been with the Reds ever since. Born in Seattle, Washington, in the U.S., McKissic’s journey to reach the top of European basketball was not the most straightforward. He split the 2015-16 season between Italy (VL Pesaro) and South Korea (Changwon LG Sakers), then played in Turkiye (Usak Sportif, 2016-17), Spain (Dreamland Gran Canaria, 2017-18), Russia (Avtodor Saratov, 2017-18) and Turkiye again (Gaziantep, 2018-19; Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, 2019-20). During that 2019-20 campaign, he made a mid-season switch to Olympiacos and, as they say, the rest is history.

In the case of Motiejunas, he is now in his third season at Monaco, having arrived in the principality in the summer of 2021. Having come through the academy of Zalgiris Kaunas, making his senior debut in the 2007-08 season, he then suited up for Aisciai Kaunas in 2008-09 before beginning his worldwide adventure. Motiejunas, born in Kaunas, Lithuania, played in Italy (Benetton Treviso, 2009-11) and Poland (Arka Gdynia, 2011-12), ahead of a move across the water, as he joined up with the Houston Rockets in the NBA. Following four years in Houston (2012-16), he played for the New Orleans Pelicans (2016-17) and then changed continents once again, signing for the Shandong Golden Stars in China (2017-19). A brief stint back in the NBA followed at the tail end of the 2018-19 season, but Motiejunas returned to China by joining the Shanghai Sharks (2019-20) and then the Xinjiang Flying Tigers (2020-21), prior to returning to Europe with Monaco.

During the documentary series, you will hear crucial bits of advice from Hines, McKissic and Motiejunas on how they navigated their careers overseas, as well as the knock-on effects of being so far away from home.

"Overseas" joins a long list of premium, long-form content from the Euroleague Basketball Originals platform. Among the other documentaries available are "[Back 2 Back](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D1m0YpAdW8)", "[Land of MVPS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMDJsLc01Lg)" and [“Obradovic, the return”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMMDVBd-iwc).

You can now watch the second episode of Euroleague Basketball Originals’ latest documentary on YouTube.

Episode 2 of “Overseas” released on YouTube

### Panathinaikos reaches the last four

Dinos Mitoglou and Mathias Lessort were the two stars as Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens defeated AEK B.C. 79-72 in the quarterfinals of the Greek League on Thursday evening. Mitoglou posted a game-high 22 points, in addition to collecting 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and 1 block, while Lessort finished with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. The Frenchman also had 1 steal and 2 blocks. Jerian Grant contributed 13 points, Kendrick Nunn added 12 and Marius Grigonis finished with 11. Panathinaikos led after each of the four quarters (20-15, 39-30, 59-48, 79-72) and outscored AEK in the first three (20-15, 19-15, 20-18) before the losing team came out on top in the final period, 20-24.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Score ☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/aekbcgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aekbcgr</a> 79-72<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPAP_Final8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OPAP_Final8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CupMenHellas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CupMenHellas</a> <a href="https://t.co/2r3JXdyd2P">pic.twitter.com/2r3JXdyd2P</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1758191860281913794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Real Madrid holds off Murcia to reach semifinals

Real Madrid is into the last four of the Spanish Cup after beating UCAM Murcia 84-79 on Thursday evening. It was a game of two halves from Real's perspective, as *Los Blancos* won the first two quarters (25-17, 19-17) as it took a 44-34 lead into the break. However, Murcia responded in the second half and managed to outscore the reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion in both the third and fourth quarters (19-22, 21-23), but it wasn't enough to overturn its first-half deficit as Real won 84-79. Facu Campazzo led the way for Real with a team-high 16 points, with Gaby Deck netting 15, Mario Hezonja adding 14 and Sergio Llull contributing 13. Real will face Valencia in the semifinals.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">👏 ¡Estamos en las semifinales de la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaACB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CopaACB</a>! 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/S2RNpP9vwq">pic.twitter.com/S2RNpP9vwq</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1758204024828956704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Partizan reaches Serbian Cup semis

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade improved as the game went on during its 92-67 triumph over KK Hercegovac in the last eight of the Serbian Cup. Zeljko Obradovic’s side increased their scoring tally in each quarter while also winning each of the four periods (14-13, 23-16, 27-19, 28-19). Tristan Vukcevic paced the winners with a game-high 15 points, and a further five Partizan players reached double figures in points: Balsa Koprivica (13), Zach LeDay (12), Aleksa Avramovic (11), Frank Kaminsky (11) and Uros Trifunovic (10). Partizan will take on KK Vojvodina in the semifinals.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Crno-beli su u polufinalu Mozzart Kupa Radivoj Korać!✊🏽⚫️⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KupKorac?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KupKorac</a> <a href="https://t.co/Gprj5BseXg">pic.twitter.com/Gprj5BseXg</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1758230979221614695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Valencia downs Gran Canaria in OT

Valencia Basket has booked its place in the semifinals of the Spanish Cup after beating Dreamland Gran Canaria 81-89. The game had to go to overtime following a buzzer-beating triple by Gran Canaria's Nico Brussino, but a 4-12 extra period saw Valencia secure the victory. Brandon Davies paced Valencia with 17 points, while three players — Chris Jones, Stefan Jovic and Semi Ojeleye — had 13 points apiece. Justin Anderson netted 11 points, too. Damien Inglis posted impressive numbers as well: 6 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Valencia will face Real in the semifinals.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">𝙑𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙊𝙊 🧡<br>¡¡𝙀𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙎 𝙀𝙉 𝙎𝙀𝙈𝙄𝙎!!<br><br>🏆 1/4 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaACB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CopaACB</a><a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GranCanariaCB</a> 81<br>🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> 89<br>🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/bthetravelbrand?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bthetravelbrand</a><br><br>🔊 ¡Familia! Vamos a sacar viaje para semifinales y final. ¿Quién se viene? En breve, detalles 🧡 <a href="https://t.co/LIlckYBmPV">pic.twitter.com/LIlckYBmPV</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1758256070474989662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Virtus stunned by Reggiana

Virtus Segafredo Bologna has been eliminated from the Italian Cup at the quarterfinal stage, having lost 72-81 to Pallacanestro Reggiana. Despite Virtus leading by double digits, 37-26, with 2:20 to go in the first half, a 0-8 run allowed Reggiana to go into the break trailing by just 3 points, 37-34. The third quarter was then edged by Reggiana, 17-19, meaning it was 54-53 heading into the final period. There were just 2 points between the teams with 1:01 remaining in the game, with Reggiana 69-71 ahead, but a 3-10 run in the final minute meant that Reggiana could celebrate a famous win. Toko Shengelia had a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double for Virtus, with Marco Belinelli notching 14 and Jordan Mickey 10.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">SCONFITTA ❌<br>La Segafredo si perde nel finale ed saluta la Coppa Italia<br><br>🔢 Shengelia 20, Belinelli 14, Mickey 10, Lundberg 9, Polonara 6, Pajola 6, Dunston 5, Cordinier 2<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/mtqj7sJm0n">pic.twitter.com/mtqj7sJm0n</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1758203391036039485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Real Madrid, Valencia, Panathinaikos and Partizan were all victorious; Virtus was the only EuroLeague team to suffer defeat on Thursday

Domestic cups: Four EuroLeague clubs make the semifinals

AS Monaco teammates John Brown and Jordan Loyd sat down side by side for the third edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s ‘Draw Your Teammate’ challenge.

Some people are better artists than others and that is certainly the case with Brown and Loyd, who opted to take different approaches towards drawing one another. Make sure to buckle up, because you’re bound to have a smile on your face after watching this video!

### Loyd ends up satisfied with his portrait

Brown was the first one to take on the marker and the white board. Loyd doubted anything good would come out of it.

"When was the last time you drew, man?" Loyd asks.

"Last time I drew... shoot, I think Tavon Austin was at the Rams!" Brown replies and Loyd cannot help but laughing.

After a few moments, Loyd is not so sure Brown can pull it off - "You're not even looking at me, bro!" - but after checkingthe final result he admits that it's not really that bad.

### Brown cannot believe what he is seeing

When it's time for Loyd to tackle the challenge, things go downhill pretty fast. Brown tries to get Loyd's creative juices going by asking him a few questions, but it doesn't seem to work.

"Boy, I look like I got a mask on!" Brown says, not believing what he is seeing.

"You look good, man!" Loyd protests. "I ran out of board, your legs are a bit longer!"

John Brown and Jordan Loyd take part in the 'Draw your teammate' Challenge!

The Monaco teammates came together and ended up sharing a lot of laughs.

Brown, Loyd take part in the ‘Draw Your Teammate’ challenge: 'You're not even looking at me, bro!'

With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on a two-week hiatus from games, it is the perfect time to look back at the top performers from the first 26 rounds of the regular season and to look ahead and make our early picks for some of the end-of-season awards. Several Euroleague.net staff members will take part and reveal their choices. After sharing their selections for the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy on Monday, the EuroLeague Best Defender Trophy on Tuesday and the All-EuroLeague First Team on Wednesday, today we look to the All-EuroLeague Second Team.

Awards Watch: All-EuroLeague Second Team

With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on a two-week hiatus from games, it is the perfect time to look back at the top performers from the first 26 rounds of the regular season and to look ahead and make our early picks for some of the end-of-season awards. Several [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) staff members will take part and reveal their choices. After sharing their selections for the [Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/awards-watch-euroleague-top-scorer/) on Monday, the [EuroLeague Best Defender Trophy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/awards-watch-euroleague-best-defender/) on Tuesday and the [All-EuroLeague First Team](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/awards-watch-all-euroleague-first-team/) on Wednesday, today we look to the All-EuroLeague Second Team.

### Shane Larkin, Wade Baldwin, Alec Peters, Jan Vesely, Walter Tavares

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

When it comes to the playoff picture, Anadolu Efes Istanbul has been on the outside looking in throughout the season, but [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) has been doing his best to keep Efes relevant. He ranks second in average PIR (20.8), third in scoring (17.6 ppg.) and seventh in assists (5.3 apg.). [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) ranks fourth in scoring (17.4 ppg.), ninth in assists (5.1 apg.) and sixth in average PIR (18.5), overcoming injuries to be a force in a chaotic season for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. Enjoying a career-best season, [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) has been a difference-maker for Olympiacos Piraeus with 14.3 points on an outstanding 54.8% three-point shooting, third-best in the league. [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) (12.9 ppg.) is the most consistent performer for second-placed FC Barcelona. No player averaging 12.0 or more points plays fewer minutes than Vesely (21:04), and he ranks second in per-40 min PIR (31.5). Real Madrid center [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) makes an impact on the floor that goes beyond his numbers, which rank him second in blocks (1.6 bpg.) and third in rebounds (6.8 rpg.) while also averaging 10.1 points and a PIR of 16.3.

### Shane Larkin, Keenan Evans, Toko Shengelia, Chima Moneke, Walter Tavares

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

Most of my All-EuroLeague Second Team features players who definitely made their teams better, but didn't compete for the top spots in the regular-season standings. [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) is leading Virtus Segafredo Bologna to a comeback season, pacing the team in rebounds (5.5 rpg.) and PIR (18.1) and ranking second in scoring (14.5 ppg.) and assists (3.6 apg.). [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has proven himself at this level, leading the EuroLeague in rebounds (7.3 rpg.) along with solid numbers (14.2 ppg., 1.2 spg., 19.3 PIR). [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) is playing his best basketball in years and [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/) showed us that his injury belongs to the past, but Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Zalgiris Kaunas, respectively, are two wins behind the Play-In Showdown cutoff. [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) of Real Madrid has battled injuries all season, and that is why he is not one of my first-team choices. Tavares's numbers remain solid: 10.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and a PIR of 16.3.

### Wade Baldwin, Keenan Evans, Shavon Shields, Toko Shengelia, Vincent Poirier

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Some of these players selected will feel hard done by to not be in my All-EuroLeague First Team group, but getting Second Team honors still means they are among the top 10 players in the league this season. My first pick for the Second Team is Maccabi’s [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/). He’s been red-hot in the second half of the campaign and is certainly worthy of a spot in this five. Similarly, Zalgiris’s [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/) has been on a tear on the offensive end since the midway point of the season, improving his scoring average to 17.1 ppg, which is fifth best in the league. His 18.6 PIR is shared with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens’s Mathias Lessort for fourth spot overall, too.

I see that my colleagues have not gone with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan’s [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/), but for me, he has been really impressive all year long. Results have not gone as Milan would have hoped, but Shields has been one of the few shining lights for the Italian club, ranking sixth in the EuroLeague in scoring (16.8 ppg.) and ninth in PIR (17.4). Next, a player who I seriously deliberated putting in my First Team: [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) of Virtus. Like Shields, Shengelia has responded in perfect fashion following a season blighted by injury, with the Georgian forward’s inspirational performances allowing Virtus to find itself in the upper echelons of the standings. 

Rounding out my All-EuroLeague Second Team picks is [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) of Real Madrid. Perhaps my selection is a controversial one given that my three colleagues have all gone with Walter Tavares, but I believe Poirier has been Real’s more impressive center this year. Playing 19:18 minutes on average compared to 23:07 for Tavares, Poirier has averaged 9.3 points on 70.0% two-point shooting, the fifth-best accuracy in the league, while he leads the league in blocks.

The best plays so far this season by Wade Baldwin, Keenan Evans, Shavon Shields, Toko Shengelia and Vincent Poirier.

Geoff Gillingham's All-EuroLeague Second Team picks

### Wade Baldwin, Chima Moneke, Toko Shengelia, Alec Peters, Walter Tavares

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

The five players I list here are all All-EuroLeague First Team talents and it should not be seen as a knock on any of them that they are my Second Team picks. My choices are heavily influenced by how I think things might look by the end of the season, so let’s take a look. [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) has been simply outstanding for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, which has a favorable schedule the rest of the way. However, if the back injury suffered by backcourt mate Lorenzo Brown causes teams to smother Baldwin or for Maccabi to struggle, it would be tough to make a First Team case for him.

[Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/)’s numbers and [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/)’s leadership both make them worthy of First Team consideration, but their respective teams, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Virtus Segafredo Bologna, both face very tough schedules the rest of the way and anything short of very strong individual and team finishes leaves them on the second team. [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) is playing his best season with great numbers for a contending Olympiacos Piraeus team and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) of Real Madrid is as impactful a player there is in the competition, but their numbers trail the best players at their respective positions and leave them as Second Team players, for now. 

### Milan coasts into the semis

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan is the first club to reach the Italian Cup semifinals after swatting aside Dolomiti Energia Trento 80-57 on Wednesday evening. Ettore Messina’s side was led by Johannes Voigtmann and Shavon Shields, both of whom had 14 points. Devon Hall and Shabazz Napier contributed 9 points each, too. It was a defensive masterclass by the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague club, with Nicolo Melli causing all sorts of problems for Trento as Milan led 65-35 after three quarters of play.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Milano scappa nella ripresa e conquista la semifinale! ⚪️🔴<br>80 a 57 il punteggio finale 💪🏻<br><br>(Shields e Voigtmann 14 pts, Hall e Napier 9, Flaccadori 6)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olimpiamilano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olimpiamilano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/h1fHBsKQOG">pic.twitter.com/h1fHBsKQOG</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1757852330693722487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Fenerbahce responds after a slow start

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has set up a semifinal matchup with Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in the Turkish Cup after beating Aliaga Petkimspor 68-81 in the quarterfinals. Tarik Biberovic was the star of the night for Fenerbahce with a team-high 22 points, with Johnathan Motley adding 14 and Nigel Hayes-Davis contributing 12. Despite Aliaga ending the first quarter with a 22-21 lead, Fenerbahce outscored its opponent in each of the next three quarters as it secured the victory.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">İzmir&#39;de Maç Bizim!<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! 👏<br><br>Maç Sonucu | Aliağa Petkim Spor 🆚 Fenerbahçe Beko: 68-81<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Biberovic 22, Motley 14, Hayes-Davis 12, Sertaç 7, Wilbekin 7, Guduric 7, Melih 6, Calathes 4, Şehmus 2. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/aaZlgmmSQq">pic.twitter.com/aaZlgmmSQq</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1757846795718181088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Zvezda edges past FMP

An inspired performance by Nemanja Nedovic allowed Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade to defeat FMP 80-75 in the Serbian Cup quarterfinals. Nedovic finished the night with 20 points, with teammates Dejan Davidovac and Adam Hanga chipping in with 15 and 13 points, respectively. Former Zvezda center Ognjen Kuzmic had a dominant performance for FMP with an 18-point, 15-rebound double-double, but it proved to be in vain. Zvezda led after each of the four quarters, but never more than 5 points (17-16, 40-36, 58-55, 80-75).

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pobeda Zvezde u četvrtfinalu Kupa &quot;Radivoj Korać&quot; 💥<br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/sportmts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sportmts</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jpjxv1BDyH">pic.twitter.com/Jpjxv1BDyH</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1757873245842276478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There were no surprises for the EuroLeague clubs in their domestic cup competitions

Domestic cups: Milan, Fenerbahce, Zvezda all into the last four

EuroLeague Diaries landed in the capital and largest city in the United Kingdom to witness first-hand the growth of the game of basketball in London. Host Sofia Del Prado visits with the Simply British Ballers content creators, English Premier League goalkeeper Lukasz Fabiansky of West Ham United, and London Lions players to hear from each about hoops in the iconic city. She also takes in the Lions' BKT EuroCup regular-season finale against Wolves Vilnius at The Copperbox Arena. Join Sofia to see London like never before through the eyes of EuroLeague Diaries.

EuroLeague Diaries experience London!

The latest edition of EuroLeague Diaries sees Sofia Del Prado experience the growth of basketball London-style!