Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 18 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Pregame quotes hub

## Friday, December 27

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:30 CET)

**Dusko Ivanovic, Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach**

"In my opinion, ASVEL is probably one of the best teams. They play very well, with great confidence, great athleticism and can rely on very good defense. Maledon and De Colo are very important players and leaders who can create and drag their teammates. We will have to play a very good defensive game to try to contain them.”   

**Achille Polonara, Virtus Segafredo Bologna forward** 

"We are expecting a complicated game, ASVEL played a very good first leg in the EuroLeague. They are a tough, young, very explosive and athletic team. We will have to be very careful with their one-on-one and their counterattacks while on offense simply playing our basketball, as we know how to do."

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)

**Gordon Herbert, FC Bayern Munich head coach**

"Panathinaikos has assembled a very intriguing team. Coach Ataman is an excellent trainer and a prominent personality. With a healthy Lessort and Nunn, they had the best combination in the EuroLeague up to now. They’ll make adjustments but still have an incredible amount of talent. We need to show that our defense continues to improve, as it has looked lately. I’m excited that we’ll play again in the SAP Garden in front of our amazing fans."

**Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens head coach**

"Especially at their home court, FC Bayern Munich runs the floor very effectively. Offensively, they attempt many three-pointers in fast breaks and coast-to-coast plays. Therefore, we must be cautious on transition defense and offensively control the game by focusing more on five-on-five play. This will be the key."

**Wenyen Gabriel, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens center**

"I’m very excited about this opportunity. Sometimes you’re blessed to get chances like this, and I’m thrilled to be here wearing the colors of Panathinaikos AKTOR. I’m adjusting well. We had a practice yesterday where we mostly played five-on-five, so I got the chance to work with many of my teammates and get a feel for the system. I’ve started learning some plays and the defensive philosophy. The coach has been clear about what he expects from me. I’m looking forward to getting started."

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Paris Basketball (20:30 CET)

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20:30 CET)

**Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade head coach**

"We’re facing a team we’ve already played against. I told the players that was the only game where we had no chance of winning – all the others were decided by a single possession. Some games we won easily, that one we lost easily, but in every other match, we were competitive. Now, we need to find a way and the motivation to compete with them. Our current record is far from satisfactory, but we must draw strength and believe in our abilities to perform much better in the second half of the EuroLeague."

**Balsa Koprivica,  Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade center**

"We are halfway through the season. I think the most important thing for us is how we start the year. Two seasons ago, in this period, we had more wins and a very good finish. We still have a long way to go and there is little difference in the standings between the teams. I think we can achieve a lot depending on how we start the second part of the EuroLeague."

**Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach**

"We are facing an opponent that is playing really well. The atmosphere there is possibly one of the best in the world. We need to have really good guard play to control the team. We need to have concentration for 40 minutes and especially control their guards."

**Bonzie Colson, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward**

"Partizan is a very talented team. They are playing really well right now. But it's more about us. We are focusing on our principles, our offense and defense, and just getting better. We had a couple days to prepare for them. Things are moving well, so we just got to prove it on the court."

### FC Barcelona vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)

**Joan Penarroya, FC Barcelona head coach**

"A difficult match, as they have already shown us \[in Belgrade\]. It's a team that plays well, that is getting victories, with a long roster full of experienced and quality players. We expect difficult match like all those in this EuroLeague, a game in which we will have to do things well. What we would like is to always be at home and give joy to our fans. And it is also evident that it seems that it is easier to win at home than away. There are many \[unexpected\] results in this first round of the EuroLeague, but it is clear that we have to turn games at Palau into those in which the rivals do not come out happy."

**Juan Nunez, FC Barcelona guard**

"The game \[in Belgrade\] was already very complicated, we won in the last few plays and I think it is important to start this second round \[of the regular season\] well, a game at home with our fans, and to win the game. In this second round it is key to win all the games possible at home and to scratch something away. Yes, of course, I think we are Barça, we have to go with the conviction of going to win all the games, whether at home or away, so it is important to protect the home court advantage, but well, we will try to win as many games as possible. Zvezda is a physical team like many in the EuroLeague, with talent too. A team that mixes talent with physicality, with experienced players and a team that is doing well this year. It is playing good basketball and it will surely be a difficult game tomorrow."

## Thursday, December 26

### ALBA Berlin vs. Real Madrid (19:00 CET)

**Israel Gonzalez, ALBA Berlin head coach**

"Real Madrid also had to deal with injury problems and starting difficulties at the beginning of the season. But for the second half of the season match against us, it looks as if they will be able to draw on the full depth of their squad again. In the past matches, you could already see that they are gradually finding their rhythm again. Campazzo, Hezonja, Musa, Tavares and Deck are all in good shape and want to show that they have champion potential. That's why it won't be an easy task for us on Thursday."

**Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach**

"We know that ALBA is a team that plays without fear, it is a team that makes many quick shots, at the beginning of the possession, and against which we will have to be attentive to the pace of play that they try to impose. We have to continue with the defensive intensity that we have had in recent games, which allows us to run and have a balance in our game, have good ball circulation and be consistent on the rebounds."

**Usman Garuba, Real Madrid center**

"We are eager to continue adding victories in the EuroLeague and to do so we have to play as a team, with intensity and with great defense, without relaxing at any time. We are playing against a different ALBA Berlin from the one we faced in the first round, which plays at a great pace and will be very motivated against us."

### AS Monaco vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (19:00 CET)

**Tomislav Mijatovic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach**<br>
"We are entering the first game of the second phase of the regular season with a very demanding and challenging road game. Our opponent is a high-scoring potential team with several players who have high scoring capacity. We are ready to face the challenge. We have to play the complete Anadolu Efes game both offensively and defensively and put our maximum effort individually and as a team in order to reach our goal, which is to win the game."<br>
**Jordan Nwora, Anadolu Efes Istanbul forward**<br>
"We are going to Monaco to play against a very good team. If we continue to build good habits and grow as a team we can extend our winning streak."

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:05 CET)

**Oded Kattash, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach**

"Zalgiris doesn’t score a lot of points, but that’s due to their pace, so first and foremost, defense is key. We have weaknesses on defense, and as a team, we’ll need to compensate for them against very dominant scorers. Every time one of their players has the ball, we’ll need five players focused on him, and that’s something we didn’t do well in the \[Israeli League\] game against Jerusalem. We need to do that much better. Of course, as always against Lithuanian teams, we need to box out well for rebounds."

**Jake Cohen, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv forward**

"We are in the middle of a process and trying to improve. I think the results haven’t been good, but we know what we need to work on and believe in ourselves. \[Coach\] Oded \[Kattash\] will get us there, and the roster is capable. We know what needs to be done to reach the highest levels possible. We were very close in several games. We just need to execute."

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)

**Ettore Messina, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach**

"We face one of the most consistent team in the EuroLeague, a very aggressive team defensively, who will use its quality of passing to free up shooters on offense. We really intend to play a good game, get back on track, and give our fans a game to be proud of, because they have remained very close to us, especially lately, and will our arena one more time."

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach**

"It's going to be a tough game. Before the two losses in the previous two EuroLeague games, Milan was on a big winning streak. Also, they played very well against Trapani in the Italian league. As I said, we expect a very difficult game. We will have to fight hard, give our best, and be totally focused in order to get the win. We will miss Nikola Milutinov, and that's a big problem for us. Mensah did travel with us by bus, but as anyone can imagine, he is not ready to help us."

**Nigel Williams-Goss, Olympiacos Piraeus guard**

"Milan is a very good team. Offense is their strength. It is always tough to play away, especially against a talented team like Milan. It is a big challenge for us. We will miss Milutinov, and that means that we all must give our best effort to overcome his absence and get the win. We should stick together and play harder on defense."

Pregame quotes hub: 'It's more about us'

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Paris Basketball (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-12-27T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-12-26T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-12-26T19:05:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Real Madrid (2024-12-26T18:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-12-26T18:00:00.000Z)

EuroLeague.net's team of experts - Geoff Gillingham, Javier Gancedo, Frankie Sachs and Igor Petrinovic - provide their updated power rankings for the midway point of the 2024-25 EuroLeague regular season

EuroLeague Power Rankings at the midway point of the regular season

Welcome to the December edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Power Rankings. The following list is the brainchild of [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net)'s team of experts, which is made up of [Geoff Gillingham](https://bsky.app/profile/geoffgillingham.bsky.social), [Javier Gancedo](https://x.com/ganchetto), [Frankie Sachs](https://x.com/MrEuroleague) and [Igor Petrinovic](https://x.com/IgorPetrinovic).

The power rankings represent where the experts rank if compared to all teams right now and not necessarily where they feel they will be at the end of the season.

Next to each team, there are several numbers. First is the team's record. It is followed by the highest rank on any individual ballot and the next number represents the lowest.

### 1. Olympiacos Piraeus (11-6); 1, 2

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 2. November - 1.**

**Best case scenario:** [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) cannot be stopped and [Olympiacos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2024-25) takes the crown for the first time in more than a decade.

**Worst case scenario:** The Reds drop a few unexpected games, don’t have home-court advantage for the playoffs and miss out on the Final Four.

### 2. AS Monaco (11-6); 1, 3

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 6. November - 8.**

**Best case scenario:** Coach [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/spanoulis-vassilis/?season=E2024) has the magic touch he possessed as a player and [Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2024-25) makes history with its first EuroLeague championship.

**Worst case scenario:** A bevvy of road games and some injuries stop Monaco from reaching its peak and the team falls out of the top four and loses in the playoffs.

### 3. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (10-7); 2, 4

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 1. November - 2.**

**Best case scenario:** The EuroLeague Trophy returns to Athens for the second straight season.

**Worst case scenario:** The Greens never fully recover from the injury to [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) and are not up to the task when the playoffs roll around.

### 4. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (10-6); 4, 8

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 3. November -3.**

**Best case scenario:** [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) and [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) become the league’s most dangerous scoring tandem and lead [Fenerbahce](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25) to an assault on the title.

**Worst case scenario:** Inconsistency plagues the team and drives [Coach Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/jasikevicius-saras/?season=E2024) mad as Fenerbahce drops into the Play-In Showdown range.

### 5. Paris Basketball (11-5); 3, 8

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 17. November - 4.**

**Best case scenario:** [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) keeps [Paris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/roster/prs/?season=2024-25) on its miracle run all the way to the Final Four.

**Worst case scenario:** The marathon of the EuroLeague schedule catches up with the debutant, which slips out of the playoff picture.

### 6. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (10-7); 5, 9

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 7. November - 7.**

**Best case scenario:** A healthy [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) rekindles the [Efes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/ist/?season=2024-25) magic and - after a two-year hiatus – leads the team back to the Final Four.

**Worst case scenario:** Larkin cannot capture his peak form, the chemistry never fully develops and Efes loses in the Play-In Showdown.

### 7. FC Bayern Munich (11-6); 5, 9

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 15. November - 6.**

**Best case scenario:** [Bayern](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/roster/mun/?season=2024-25) never loses at home, [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) leads the league in scoring and [Coach Herbert](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/herbert-gordon/?season=E2024) guides the team to the Final Four.

**Worst case scenario:** A grueling stretch of games to start the second-half of the regular season deflates Bayern, which never recovers and finishes the regular season outside the top 10.

### 8. Real Madrid (8-9); 6, 9

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 4. November - 9.**

**Best case scenario:** All the players get healthy, management adds a key reinforcement and *Los Blancos* play in the championship game for the fourth year running.

**Worst case scenario:** Age and injuries take their toll and [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2024-25) has to fight just to make the Play-In Showdown.

### 9. Zalgiris Kaunas (10-7); 7, 12

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 13. November - 10.**

**Best case scenario:** [Lonnie Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lonnie-walker-iv/013403/) and co. continue to thrill fans across Europe all season long, [Coach Trinchieri](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/trinchieri-andrea/?season=E2024)’s defense wreaks havoc and [Zalgiris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/roster/zal/?season=2024-25) parties its way to Game 5 of the playoffs.

**Worst case scenario:** Walker leaves during the season, the Zalgiris attack sputters and the team cannot qualify for the Play-In showdown.

### 10. FC Barcelona (9-8); 7, 13

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 5. November - 5.**

**Best case scenario:** The balance between [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) on the perimeter and a deep frontline wears down opponents and [Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2024-25) marches to the Final Four.

**Worst case scenario:** Barcelona can’t find a remedy for its inconsistency and its defensive flaws keep the team from reaching the playoffs.

### 11. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (9-8); 6, 14

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 8. November - 13.**

**Best case scenario:** [Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/roster/mil/?season=2024-25) finds a solution at center, the duo of [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) and [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) do the heavy lifting as Milan works itself back into the playoff picture.

**Worst case scenario:** Milan’s six-game winning streak proves to have been an aberration, and the team struggles to stay pace with the top 10 in the standings.

### 12. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (8-9); 10, 12

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 16. November - 15.**

**Best case scenario:** [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) enters the MVP discussion as [ASVEL](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/roster/asv/?season=2024-25) stuns fans across the continent and reaches the playoffs for the first time under the modern format.

**Worst case scenario:** Teams find a way to stop Maledon and ASVEL cannot respond. The team falls back to the far end of the standings.

### 13. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (9-8); 12, 14

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 12. November - 11.**

**Best case scenario:** [Zvezda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/roster/red/?season=2024-25) gets even tougher with the addition of [John Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-brown-iii/010588/) and the magic of [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) shines in key moments as Zvezda plays its way into the Play-In Showdown.

**Worst case scenario:** It turns out that Zvezda has peaked too early, the team cannot win close games and it does not threaten for a spot in the next stage by the end of the season.

### 14. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (7-10); 11, 14

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 9. November - 17.**

**Best case scenario:** [Coach Obradovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/obradovic-zeljko/?season=E2024) is able to maximize the talent on the roster and [Carlik](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) and [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) lead [Partizan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-nis-belgrade/roster/par/?season=2024-25) on an impressive winning streak and into the top half of the standings.

**Worst case scenario:** The talent is not enough; Partizan pays dearly for some narrow losses and the dream of reaching the postseason goes up in flames.

### 15. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (7-10); 15, 16

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 11. November - 14.**

**Best case scenario:** Thanks to [Coach Laso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/laso-pablo/?season=E2024)’s championship pedigree, [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/)’s superstar skills and [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/)’s otherworldly shooting, [Baskonia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/roster/bas/?season=2024-25) gets hot and plays its way into the postseason.

**Worst case scenario:** The Round 15 loss to Virtus haunts the team, which heads into a tailspin and finishes near the bottom of the standings.

### 15. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (4-13); 15, 16

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 16. November - 16.**

**Best case scenario:** [Coach Ivanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/ivanovic-dusko/?season=E2024)’s fire turns this team around and [Virtus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/roster/vir/?season=2024-25) makes a run at the Play-In Showdown.

**Worst case scenario:** Even the coaching change is just a short-term boost and an aging roster dooms Virtus to a spot near the bottom of the standings.

### 17. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (4-13); 17, 17

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 14. November - 12.**

**Best case scenario:** Everyone gets healthy, the rookies take a step forward and a feisty squad gives fans reasons to dream for next season.

**Worst case scenario:** The bottom drops out and [Maccabi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2024-25) falls to its worst regular season finish under the current EuroLeague format.

### 18. ALBA Berlin (3-14); 18, 18

**Previous rankings: Preseason - 18. November - 18.**

**Best case scenario:** [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matteo-spagnolo/008173/), [Gabriele Procida](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/gabriele-procida/008384/) and [David McCormack](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-mccormack/013386/) emerge as a dangerous core that can compete with any team.

**Worst case scenario:** The losing takes the sting out of [ALBA](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/roster/ber/?season=2024-25)’s top talents and the team finishes the season with a whimper.

The Euroleague.net experts provide their updated power rankings for the midway point of the 2024-25 regular season

Power Rankings at the midway point of the regular season

For the first time in several weeks, the trio of hosts for the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast are reunited in Episode No. 13. Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs of Euroleague.net and Vasiliki Karamouza of Sport 24 dish on what went well – and in some cases very well – in Rounds 16 and 17 and what to look forward to in Round 18.

The Fantasy Challenge Podcast gang reunites for Episode No. 13

For the first time in several weeks, the trio of hosts for the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast are reunited in Episode No. 13. [Javier Gancedo](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fganchetto&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7Cf637e2d6bb3e4ec70a6008dd233d96d4%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638705469604612942%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fUS02rr3aDuSVx9gQ66XZiQcD%2Bv6TCX4GMBB6ALFkvE%3D&reserved=0) and [Frankie Sachs](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FMrEuroleague&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7Cf637e2d6bb3e4ec70a6008dd233d96d4%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638705469604628238%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zQXYURdvCs21NyTsaIeao0vYWbkNQx0zEiUnGjWg9G8%3D&reserved=0) of [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) and [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fkaramouza_vas&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7Cf637e2d6bb3e4ec70a6008dd233d96d4%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638705469604647657%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ScfEOK5GTYf4YtFYuF6KZJfXNlUJjKq1IQ5NCpdoQBI%3D&reserved=0) of Sport 24 dish on what went well – and in some cases very well – in Rounds 16 and 17 and what to look forward to in Round 18.

With unlimited trades allowed this week, the trio shared their favorite bargain options, the expensive players they can’t live without and other must-own picks. Other topics of discussion include what to do at the center position after the injury to Mathias Lessort, whether David McCormack is a viable long-term option and if the time is right to add Shane Larkin.

Check out the teams Javi, Frankie and Vasiliki plan to use in Round 18, which begins at 19:00 CET on Thursday when games tip off simultaneously in Berlin and Monaco. Good luck fantasy fans!

Javi, Frankie and Vasiliki share some advice and their teams ahead of Round 18.

LDLC ASVEL announced on Monday night that big man Mbaye Ndiaye has ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his right knee and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Mbaye Ndiaye out for 'several months' with knee injury

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) announced on Monday night that big man [Mbaye Ndiaye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mbaye-ndiaye/012731/) has ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his right knee and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Ndiaye, who has averaged 7.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games for ASVEL this season, will undergo surgery to address the injury, which came during the team's [Round 16 win at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-stuns-partizan-for-first-road-win-79-82/) on December 17.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">La nouvelle que l&#39;on craignait est malheureusement officiellement tombée pour Mbaye Ndiaye... 😔<br><br>Notre intérieur sénégalais souffre d&#39;une rupture des ligaments croisés du genou droit. Il sera opéré demain matin et éloigné des terrains plusieurs mois.<br><br>Sois fort Mbeasy, tout le… <a href="https://t.co/Swf52P7v3d">pic.twitter.com/Swf52P7v3d</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1871260093070590166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"The news we feared has unfortunately officially arrived for Mbaye Ndiaye..." read ASVEL's tweet. "Our Senegalese center has ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his right knee. He will undergo surgery tomorrow morning and be out of action for several months. 

"Be strong Mbeasy, the whole club is with you and wishes you the best in your recovery!"

The 25-year-old is in his second season at ASVEL and second in the EuroLeague. He previously played for fellow French teams Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2017-20) and ADA Blois (2020-23).

More ASVEL News

He suffered the injury in ASVEL's Round 16 win at Partizan

Following Mathias Lessort fracturing his fibula last Thusday, Panathinaikos BC has moved quickly and brought in Wenyen Gabriel from Maccabi Tel Aviv on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Panathinaikos moves for Wenyen Gabriel

Following [Mathias Lessort fracturing his fibula](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/all-euroleague-center-mathias-lessort-leaves-game-with-leg-injury/) last Thusday, [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) has moved quickly and brought in [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/) from [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/tel/) on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Gabriel (2.06 meters, 27 years old) only came to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this past summer after spending the first six years of his career between the NBA and the G League, while he also had a brief stint in Puerto Rico at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Injuries limited his participation for Maccabi somewhat, but Gabriel averaged 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks across nine EuroLeague appearances for the Israeli side.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wenyen Gabriel joins the Green family! <br><br>Welcome 💪🏿☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://t.co/jWD7fiuY5E">pic.twitter.com/jWD7fiuY5E</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1871241019745784098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A member of South Sudan's roster at the 2024 Olympic Games, Gabriel's final game for Maccabi came in Round 16, when he played just four minutes having picked up a hand injury.

Gabriel will now look to fill the Lessort-shaped hole in Panathinaikos's frontcourt and battle the likes of [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) and [Kostas Antetokounmpo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-antetokounmpo/011221/) for minutes at the '5' position.

More Panathinaikos News

The South Sudan international made nine appearances for Maccabi in the first half of this season

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares his tips for Round 18 of the 2024-25 season.

Fantasy tips, Round 18: Enjoy unlimited trades!

This promises to be quite an eventful week in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge. First, managers can enjoy unlimited trading for the third time since the start of the season. Second, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague enters Round 18, meaning all teams have played each other at least once and scouting reports should be even more accurate now. 

This time, given the circumstances, I am recommending a superstar and two high-level players on the rise as budget options plus two cheaper players to fill your roster. Here they are.

Terry Tarpey, Dzanan Musa, Isaia Cordinier, Ercan Osmani and Theo Maledon are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Round 18

**Theo Maledon, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (17.3 credits)**

[Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) is my superstar of choice. ASVEL is 4-1 this month and Maledon is a strong candidate for the MVP of December award. He has the numbers to back this statement, averaging 21.4 points on 35-of-38 free-throw shooting (92.1%), 4.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 6.4 fouls drawn for a PIR of 27.2. His consistency has been outstanding.

**Ercan Osmani, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (7.5 credits)**

[Ercan Osmani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ercan-osmani/012710/) was simply outstanding against Partizan in Round 17. He finished the game with a career-high 25 points, 10 more than his previous best, by making 6 of 7 two-pointers and 4 of 7 three-pointers plus 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 assists and 5 fouls drawn for a personal-best PIR of 29. Buy him now!

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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/DD0KWM5OtC-/?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 Erxhan (Ercan) Osmani (@erxhanosmani)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**Terry Tarpey, AS Monaco (5.0 credits)**

A coaching change has resulted in [Terry Tarpey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/terry-tarpey/012515/) seeing extended playing time and he is definitely making the most out of it. After hardly playing in the first 13 rounds (a total of 46 seconds), Tarpey has averaged 4.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 steals without any turnovers for a PIR of 8.0. Not bad at all for 5.0 credits, right?

**Dzanan Musa, Real Madrid (12.8 credits)**

After being injured and playing in pain, [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) started to feel better in Round 15 against Zalgiris and has been his usual dangerous self ever since. Musa has boosted his numbers to 16.3 points on 12-of-16 two-point shooting (75%) and 4-of-9 on threes (44.4%) for a PIR of 19.0 in the last three games. For 12.8 credits, he is a steal.

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**Isaia Cordinier, Virtus Segafredo Bologna (12.7 credits)**

First things first, [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) comes off an outstanding performance, getting a personal-best 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 8 fouls drawn for a career-high PIR of 38 against Barca. He matches new head coach Dusko Ivanovic's winning mentality, so expect more games like this from Cordinier as Virtus hosts red-hot ASVEL this week.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares his tips for the week ahead

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has confirmed that center Boban Marjanovic has departed the club, with the Turkish side exercising an exit clause in his contract.

Fenerbahce, Boban Marjanovic part ways

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) has confirmed that center [Boban Marjanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/boban-marjanovic/lmg/) has departed the club, with the Turkish side exercising an exit clause in his contract.

Marjanovic made a total of six appearances for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season, he has played just once since Round 6 having featured in [Fenerbahce's Round 14 win at Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-blasts-past-real-70-82/). In six games, the 36-year-old averaged 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 10:04 minutes per night.

"We have parted ways with our player Boban Marjanovic, who joined Fenerbahce Beko in September, by exercising the exit option in his contract," read Fenerbahce's statement.

"We would like to thank Boban Marjanovic for his contribution to our team and wish him all the best for the next phase of his career."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Her şey için teşekkürler Boban Marjanovic! 💛💙<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/6y1rplZKf7">https://t.co/6y1rplZKf7</a> <a href="https://t.co/p023HDManJ">pic.twitter.com/p023HDManJ</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1871161864912359916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Marjanovic returned to Europe this past summer after a nine-year spell in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. 

Before heading to the NBA in 2015, Marjanovic made his name in the EuroLeague with a standout 2014-15 season with [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/), posting 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. He also split the 2010-11 season between [CSKA Moscow](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/cska-moscow/csk/) and [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/), and spent the 2013-14 campaign with Crvena Zvezda.

More Fenerbahce News

He made just six EuroLeague appearances after joining this past summer

The second half of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season starts with a bang, as Round 18 features four games between direct rivals in the race for the playoffs. Here's your guide to the final games of 2024.

At a glance: A festive feel to Round 18

The second half of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season starts with a bang, as Round 18 features four games between direct rivals in the race for the playoffs. Here's your guide to the final games of 2024.

## Thursday, December 26

### ALBA Berlin vs. Real Madrid (19:00 CET)

On the back of two big wins last week, Real (8-9) will look to continue its resurgence with a trip to last-placed ALBA (3-14). The German team has been weakened by the loss of big man [Trevion Williams to Maccabi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-signs-trevion-williams-away-from-alba-berlin/), so Real will expect league rebounding leader [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (7.9 per game) to be even more dominant in the paint. The visitor will also look for [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) to continue the sharpshooting form that saw him average 17 points on 13-of-19 field goal shooting in the double round week, while ALBA needs guard [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/) to stay hot after netting a season-high 19 points in last week’s narrow loss at Olympiacos. The host is looking to make history after losing all 17 of its previous meetings with Real.

### AS Monaco vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (19:00 CET)

In a key matchup between direct rivals, Monaco (11-6) will look to bounce back from last week's heavy loss in Madrid by overcoming a surging Efes (10-7). The Turkish team has won three in a row, with the return to fitness of [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) helping to spark an offense which was led superbly by [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) in the Round 17 victory over Partizan, dishing 11 assists without a turnover. Forward [Ercan Osmani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ercan-osmani/012710/) will look to maintain the best form of his career after averaging 19 points and 6 boards across last week’s two wins. His rebounding ability will test a Monaco line-up which needs more output from big men [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) and [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mam-jaiteh/002581/), who combined for just 4 points and 3 rebounds in last week’s loss.

Round 18 Head-to-Head: James vs. Larkin

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:05 CET)

Two teams aiming to get back in the win column meet in Belgrade as Maccabi (4-13) hosts Zalgiris (10-7). Maccabi’s frontcourt could be strengthened by [a debut for Trevion Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-signs-trevion-williams-away-from-alba-berlin/), who averaged 10.8 points and 6.9 rebounds for previous club ALBA. Zalgiris will hope that key scorer Lonnie Walker can return to form after suffering a rare off night in last week’s home loss to ASVEL, which saw the American guard score 0 points after missing all 5 of his field goal shots. With five straight defeats, Maccabi is on the competition's longest losing run and has already suffered at the hands of Zalgiris’s league-best defense once this season to Zalgiris, going down 78-63 in October as [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/) netted 14 points.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)

Milan (9-8) will attempt to bounce back from consecutive losses by downing one of the four co-leaders, Olympiacos (11-6). Arguably the best two forwards in the competition will go into a direct battle as [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) (23.5 PIR, second in the league) takes on fellow former league MVP [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) (22.9 PIR, fourth-best). [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/)'s latest injury blow is a big blow for Milan in its bid to compete in the paint against a Reds frontcourt featuring [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/), who is coming off his best performance of the season with 18 points on 9-of-9 two-point shooting to help overcome ALBA. The host will also need the all-round game of [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) (9.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game) to overcome an Olympiacos team which smashed Milan 89-68 when the teams met in October, behind 22 points from [Shaq McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/).

Round 18 Head-to-Head: Mirotic vs. Vezenkov

## Friday, December 27

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:30 CET)

Red-hot ASVEL (8-9) will look for a fourth straight win as it visits a Virtus (4-13) boosted by last week’s home win over Barcelona. The Italian team has toughened up under new coach Dusko Ivanovic, and will be led on the court by guard [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) after his career-best PIR of 38 made him the MVP of Round 17 following the win over Barca. ASVEL triumphed twice on the road last week, with Friday’s win at Zalgiris seeing the always-excellent [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) receive plenty of support from young star [Melvin Ajinca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/melvin-ajinca/010316/): the 20-year-old swingman netted a career-best 17 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting. Both teams will hope to have key big man back in action, with [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) and [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/) missing from their respective Round 17 triumphs.

Round 18 Head-to-Head: Cordinier vs. Ajinca

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)

Another big battle near the top of the standings will see Panathinaikos (10-7) attempt to become this season's first road winners at co-leader Bayern (11-6). The Greens will have to compensate for the injury absence of dominant center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), with [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) needing to step up from his season averages of 11 minutes, 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Bayern bolstered its confidence with a tough road win at Milan last week, with the in-form [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) orchestrating the offense by combining 10 points with 12 assists. He is also the league’s top ball thief, averaging 1.6 steals per game, and those defensive skills will be important against Panathinaikos scoring star [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) – whose average of 20.2 points per game is only bettered by Bayern’s [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) (20.7 ppg).

Round 18 Head-to-Head: Voigtmann vs. Hernangomez

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Paris Basketball (20:30 CET)

Paris (11-5) coach [Tiago Splitter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/splitter-tiago/?season=E2024) will make an emotional return to his former club with a trip to Baskonia (7-10). The French team will hope to have a full roster available after illness forced the postponement of last week’s scheduled meeting with Fenerbahce, and is aiming to get back on track after a two-game losing run. Baskonia has also struggled recently with three losses out of four, but showed it knows how to slow down Paris’s explosive offense when it was narrowly edged out, 67-65, in November’s meeting between the teams – the only time all season that [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) has been restricted to single digits scoring. But the Spanish team also needs its own offense to function better, after netting just 69 points in last week’s crushing 35-point loss at Panathinaikos.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20:30 CET)

Two teams hoping for a change in momentum meet as Partizan (7-10) hosts Fenerbahce (10-6). The Turkish team has lost four of the last five due to a leaky defense allowing an average of 92 points in those losses, and will be eager to get back on the court after the postponement of its Round 17 game at Paris. Partizan is also coming off a bad double round week, losing to ASVEL and Efes despite big man [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) patrolling the paint with an average of 19.5 points on 15-of-21 two-point shooting. [Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/) has hit his best form of the season, averaging 16.3 points over the last four games, and Fener would love to answer him through an improvement from [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/), who has only scored three field goals in the last three games.

### FC Barcelona vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)

Two direct rivals on the edge of the playoffs places look to strengthen their challenge as Barcelona (9-8) hosts Zvezda (9-8). Veteran forward [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) (9.2 points per game on 48% three-point shooting) will hope his long-range shooting can cause problems for his former team, while dynamic guard [Yago dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) will look to stay hot after pairing 15 points and 7 assists to help overcome Maccabi last time out. Barca needs to bounce back from last week’s loss at Virtus, and will hope that big man [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) can deliver another strong performance after netting a season-high 14 points last time out. His battle alongside [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) with the fit-again [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), who bagged 17 points and 6 rebounds in the win against Maccabi, could be decisive.

Round 18 Head-to-Head: Punter vs. Nedovic

Four games take place on December 26 and five on December 27

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv fortified its frontline by signing big man Trevion Williams from ALBA Berlin. 

Maccabi signs Trevion Williams away from ALBA Berlin

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2024-25) fortified its frontline by signing big man [Trevion Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/trevion-williams/012604/) from [ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/roster/ber/?season=2024-25). The contract is through the end of the 2025-26 season. 

Williams (2.06 meters, 24 years old) has averaged 10.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 16 EuroLeague games this season. He is fourth in the league in [rebounding](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2024&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds). At Maccabi he will help upgrade a frontcourt that has suffered from injuries this season to center [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/), who is currently [out with a torn hamstring](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-loses-jasiel-rivero-again-to-torn-hamstring/) and [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/).

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/twill___?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@twill___</a> 🔏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreMaccabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreMaccabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/ec4V0huS0P">pic.twitter.com/ec4V0huS0P</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1870814840320938449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Head coach, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 

"Trevion Williams is a player we already looked at this summer and really liked what we saw. He is a versatile player with a high basketball IQ and will add depth to our frontcourt. The main goal is to integrate him into our rhythm as quickly as possible so he can help us during such a busy period."

Williams's first season on the Old Continent was sensational as he averaged 14.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals over 18 BKT EuroCup games for [ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/games/ulm/?season=2023-24) last season. He led the competition in [rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds) and his 12 double-doubles were tied for the most by any player in a single EuroCup season. Williams ranked second in the competition in average PIR with 22.1 and led all centers in assists.

Best of Trevion Williams with ALBA Berlin

Williams starred at Purdue University, where he was a teammate of FC Bayern Munich star [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/), and helped the USA national team to the gold medal at the 2019 U19 World Cup. He made his professional debut in the 2022-23 season with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League and also played for the Capital City Go-Go before coming to Europe.

"I am extremely excited to get started in Maccabi," Williams said after signing. "I’ve watched so many great players come through this club and I want to make an impact right away. It’s a blessing to have anyone believe in you and I couldn’t be happier about this new journey."

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The All-EuroCup big man made his EuroLeague debut this season