As the final stretch of the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season approaches, the race is not only heating up for the playoffs but also for the individual awards that are handed out at the end of the campaign. The list of leading candidates for the EuroLeague Best Defender Award includes guards and big men all of whom have left their mark through unrelenting defense this season.

EuroLeague Best Defender candidates

As the final stretch of the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season approaches, the race is not only heating up for the playoffs but also for the individual awards that are handed out at the end of the campaign. The list of leading candidates for the EuroLeague Best Defender Award includes guards and big men all of whom have left their mark through unrelenting defense this season.

[Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/)**, Anadolu Efes Istanbul**

A member of the esteemed 50-40-90 shooting club as recently as 2020-21, Beaubois is best known for his offensive contributions to the two-time defending champions. However, opposing guards and coaches are well aware of Beaubois's defensive chops. Thanks to his quickness, long arms and competitive character, Beaubois often guards the opposition’s best guard and has produced impressive numbers. Not only is he ranked ninth in the league in blocks (0.9 bpg.), but he is the only guard in the top 40! Beaubois's 1.2 steals are 15th in the league and he is one of only three players in the top 20 in both steals and blocks.

Rodrigue Beuabois | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Best Defender

[Kevarrius Hayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevarrius-hayes/010390/)**, Zalgiris Kaunas**

Hayes has emerged as a key force in the paint for Zalgiris in just his second EuroLeague campaign. He has blocked the third-most shots in the league this season (1.2 bpg.) despite averaging less than 20 minutes per game. Hayes is also the only player in the 2022-23 EuroLeague averaging at least 1 steal (1.0 spg.) and 1 block. He is a big reason – both literally and figuratively – that Zalgiris has allowed the third-fewest points in the EuroLeague this season (77.3 ppg.) and is in the tick of the race to return to the playoffs.

Kevarrius Hayes | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Best Defender

[Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/)**, FC Barcelona**

Kalinic is the prototype of the modern wing defender as someone who can switch against any player and hold his own. His combination of length, speed and toughness allows Kalinic to stick with point guards or to hold his own against bigs, which is a constant thorn in the sides of opponents' pick-and-roll plans. Similar to how classic rim protectors can impact the offense without registering any statistics, Kalinic's presence is felt whenever he is on the floor and is among the main reasons Barcelona is in the top third in the league in points allowed.

Nikola Kalinic | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Best Defender

[Alessandro Pajola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alessandro-pajola/006739/)**, Virtus Segafredo Bologna**

The youngest player on this list, Pajola has made an instant impact in his maiden EuroLeague season just like he often makes an instant impact whenever he comes off the bench for Virtus. Pajola leads the league this season in steals on a per-minute basis with 3.5 prorated over 40 minutes. Whether using his boundless energy to frustrate ballhandlers or his instincts and game smarts to shoot the passing lanes, Pajola brings havoc to the backcourt and makes sure that Virtus capitalizes on that.

Alessandro Pajola | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Best Defender

[Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/)**, Real Madrid**

A two-time EuroLeague Best Defender, Tavares is the competition’s career leader in blocked shots with 341 and he is blocking more shots this season than ever before. The 2.20-meter center has averaged 2.5 blocks per game this season, which is the highest ever for a player with at least 15 games played. No one-trick pony, Tavares also cleans up on the glass; he is second in the league in rebounds with 7.2 per game. With Tavares as his team’s defensive anchor, Los Blancos have held opponents to a league-low 50.1% shooting on two-pointers in no small part thanks to Sergeant Swat’s presence.

Walter Tavares | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Best Defender

[Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/)**, Olympiacos Piraeus**

Olympiacos has allowed the fewest points in the league (75.5 ppg.) and forced the second-most turnovers (14.5 per game). The Reds’ defensive pressure begins with Walkup, who leads the league in steals with 1.9 per game. That number is among the top 10 single-season averages in the league over the last 10 years and the most by an Olympiacos player in over two decades. Walkup boasts a total defensive package with experience, basketball IQ and all the necessary physical tools and his and his team’s numbers more than support that claim.

Thomas Walkup | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Best Defender

Off-the-court chemistry is important for team building. The more players bond off the court, the easier it should be to deal with tough times on the court. Rarely, though does that bonding come from playing a different sport as has been the case with golf and ALBA Berlin. 

Luke Sikma, ALBA: 'They've got the golf bug'

Off-the-court chemistry is important for team building. The more players bond off the court, the easier it should be to deal with tough times on the court. Rarely, though, does that bonding come from playing a different sport as has been the case with golf and ALBA Berlin.

It all started when Luke Sikma joined the team. He has been playing golf from a young age and has kept the sport as a hobby throughout his basketball career.

"The weather, golf-wise, was much better in Spain, a lot longer golf season and you didn't have to wear so many layers," Sikma said. "But here in Berlin, there are some great courses around the area and also having a bunch of teammates that play makes it a lot more fun to get out there because you got some guys to go with and throw a couple of jackets on, some long underwear and you can still go out and play even in the dead of winter."

"Here in Berlin, there are some great golf courses around the area and also having a bunch of teammates that play makes it a lot more fun to get out there." 

Marcus Eriksson was one of the first to play with Sikma. Louis Olinde, Jonas Mattisseck and Tim Schneider joined the fun more recently. Sikma said that Eriksson is the best golfer on the team, but it is up for debate. 

"Every time we play, he beats me: really good ball striker. Not surprising seeing how he's such a good shooter, like Steph Curry, another great golfer, because they know how to time up, square the club, face up and hit it consistently," Sikma said. "So that's something that that I struggle with. But, I'd say Marcus is the best, but there are some days that it gets competitive, or at least I get close."

As for other teammates picking up golf as a second sport, Sikma is always ready to give some advice and enjoy some time off with them. 

"They've got the golf bug, as they say, so it's fun to go out with them, you know having more guys that play, there's always someone looking to go play on an off day or whenever it is." Sikma said about Mattisseck, Olinde and Schneider. "I gave them a couple of little things to work on maybe. But they are all really enjoying it and motivated and more than anything, you've just got to encourage them because especially when you're starting out, it can be really frustrating sometimes. But as long as the enjoyment and motivation is there, then they'll keep coming back.

Sikma and Eriksson's dominance may be challenged by Yanni Wetzell, who joined the team last summer. Wetzell has golfed in recent years and of course, has fitted right in. 

"It's awesome that there's a little golfing contingency and we can get out there. And I think golf's an amazing escape to get away from the basketball game, clear your mind," Wetzell said. "There's things like the patience and the poise and the mental game of golf, which translates to basketball. So I think it's a great hobby... I know Luke's a bit of a gun golfer. I know he's got a single-digit handicap."

"Golf gets your mind away from basketball but it also challenges you, and if you know how to use it in the right way. I think it can really help you on the basketball court."

Earlier this season, Sikma and Wetzell played one of golf's most challenging courses on a simulator and it did not go well. 

"We played Pebble Beach. I won't tell you our scores because it wasn't pretty," Wetzell commented. 

"We both did terrible," Sikma added. "I think we were both, like, 30 over at Pebble Beach, which is not very good."

The bottom line is that ALBA players have a lot of fun playing golf, and plan to keep doing so in the near future, hopefully with some extra additions to the group. 

"It's another great physical activity. It's not so high-impact like basketball or football or anything like that. But you get out, you get your body moving. You can still get competitive if you want to. And I think more of the mental aspect, it's great," Sikma said. "It gets your mind away from basketball but it also challenges you, and if you know how to use it in the right way. I think it can really help you on the basketball court."

As the final stretch of the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season approaches, the race is not only heating up for the playoffs but also for the individual awards that are handed out at the end of the campaign. One of the main prizes up for grabs is the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy, with the league's top stars all in the race for this accolade.

Top Scorer candidates: The race is tight

As the final stretch of the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season approaches, the race is not only heating up for the playoffs but also for the individual awards that are handed out at the end of the campaign. One of the main prizes up for grabs is the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy, with the league's top stars all in the race for this accolade.

[Dwayne Bacon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dwayne-bacon/011286/)**, Panathinaikos Athens (18.7 ppg.)**

Since joining Panathinaikos ahead of Round 6, Bacon has torched defense after defense. In fact, in just one of his 17 appearances this season has he failed to reach double digits for points, and he is one of three players in 2022-23 to have scored 30 points or more on two occasions, along with Markus Howard of Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Wade Baldwin of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. Panathinaikos has largely struggled this year, but Bacon has been a scoring machine for the Greens.

Dwayne Bacon | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Top Scorer

[Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/)**, Olympiacos Piraeus (18.4 ppg.)**

Vezenkov is currently in second place in the race for the scoring title. The Olympiacos forward has been one of the key cogs in the Reds' offense and is having a career year, with his scoring average having increased by over 4 points compared to 2021-22 (13.7 ppg.). Vezenkov offers a whole lot more to Olympiacos, but his scoring threat – from both inside and behind the arc, with one of the quickest releases in the sport – has made an already dangerous team even more threatening.

Sasha Vezenkov | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Top Scorer

[Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/)**, AS Monaco (17.3 ppg.)**

James continues to wreak havoc for opposing defenses with his incredible skill and unlimited range. In addition to being one of the best passers in the EuroLeague, the Monaco star is once again among the highest scorers in the competition. James is his team's go-to guy on offense on a night-in, night-out basis, and a strong finish to the season could see him increase his scoring average even further.

Mike James | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Top Scorer

[Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/)**, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (17.1 ppg.)**

After joining Efes in the offseason, Clyburn hit the ground running with his new team. The 32-year-old currently has his highest scoring average across seven seasons in the EuroLeague, which was particularly vital in the period before Shane Larkin returned from injury. While Clyburn has seen his scoring numbers decrease since the return of Larkin, he will be expected to step up on offense in this final part of the season as Efes looks to secure its place in the playoffs.

Will Clyburn | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Top Scorer

[Vasilije Micic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vasilije-micic/002580/)**, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (16.8 ppg.)**

Last year's Top Scorer Trophy winner is averaging almost 3 fewer points than he did in 2021-22, but Micic remains one of the competition's most potent scorers. Interestingly, despite seeing his numbers decrease, Micic has still reached double figures for points in all 23 games that he has played this season. It is a similar story to Clyburn for Micic, as Efes will be looking to him to steady the ship and help book a spot in the postseason.

Vasilije Micic | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Top Scorer

[Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/)**, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (16.6 ppg.)**

Rounding out the top six in the hunt for the Top Scorer Trophy is Brown, who is putting up career-high numbers in his fourth season in the competition and his first with Maccabi. Fresh off of signing a new deal with Maccabi until 2025, Brown scored the league's second-highest total in a game this season, with 36 points against FC Bayern Munich. Due to return from injury soon, Brown will no doubt have the ball in his hands a lot as Maccabi looks to sneak into the playoffs.

Lorenzo Brown | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Top Scorer

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv qualified to the Israel State Cup final, with a chance to win its 46th title, by downing Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona 73-85 in one of the semifinals at Pais Arena in Jerusalem on Monday. 

Domestic Cups: Maccabi reaches State Cup final

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv qualified to the Israel State Cup final, with a chance to win its 46th title, by downing Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona 73-85 in one of the semifinals at Pais Arena in Jerusalem on Monday. It will face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the title game.

Lorenzo Brown, back to the team after recovering from an ankle injury, led the winners with 19 points. Josh Nebo added 16, Bonzie Colson had 13 while Jarrell Martin had 10 for Maccabi. Ness Ziona led 16-21 at the end of the first quarter. Martin and Brown stepped up for Maccabi and Rafi Menco struck from downtown for a 23-24 lead. Nebo followed a layup with a dunk, and got help from Colson and Roman Sorkin to boost their team's lead to 36-42 at halftime. Brown took over after the break, following a jumper with a three-pointer to give Maccabi a 39-52 margin. John DiBartolomeo struck from downtown to break the game open, 51-69, late in the third quarter and Maccabi kept a safe lead until the final buzzer. Jerusalem edged Hapoel B-Cure Laser Haifa 77-73 in the other semifinal later also on Monday.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">מכבי עלתה לגמר הגביע! <br>לסיקור וסטטיסטיקה &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/WFPmA9mnSY">https://t.co/WFPmA9mnSY</a> <a href="https://t.co/gwgJKQiTqe">pic.twitter.com/gwgJKQiTqe</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1625197390058688521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

The messages that Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade scorer Kevin Punter would send to his younger self about believing in himself and fostering his imagination are relevant to all young basketball players out there. 

 Kevin Punter: Letter to my younger self! 

The messages that Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade scorer Kevin Punter would send to his younger self about believing in himself and fostering his imagination are relevant to all young basketball players out there.

Kevin Punter: Letter to my younger self!

Kevin Punter: Letter to my younger self

Following the suspension of Round 24 games played in Turkey due to the earthquakes that struck the country,  the following games have been rescheduled to be played on the stated new dates and times.

Euroleague Basketball announces EuroLeague rescheduled games

Following the suspension of Round 24 games played in Turkey due to the earthquakes that struck the country,  the following games have been rescheduled to be played on the stated new dates and times.

### ROUND 24

Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Real Madrid, Tuesday, 14 March 2023 at 20:30 local time.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan Tuesday, 21 March 2023 at 20:15 local time.

[Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/) started his professional basketball career in the wilderness of the Mongolian League in 2015, but on Friday night, he lit up the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with a performance long to be remembered by Valencia Basket fans after he single-handedly turned defeat into a [91-92 road win at Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/panathinaikos-athens-valencia-basket/E2022/216/#boxscore).

The 29-year-old point guard from Garland, Texas took a road less travelled to stardom, and his accomplishment is all the more impressive in light of having been sidelined by a knee injury in December and early January.

After a season with Mongolia’s Tuv Ajmag, Jones moved on to Starwings Basel of Switzerland and then Mons-Hainaut of Belgium, before year-long spells with Bursaspor, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and finally LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Then, during the offseason in 2022, he joined Valencia.

It looked like the clash with Panathinaikos would generate nothing more than a solid performance from Jones, yet he found another gear from nowhere in the last few minutes of a strength-sapping game, scoring Valencia’s last 11 points.

Crucially, he hit the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer when he sent Derrick Williams the wrong way with a pump fake, followed by a shot from behind the arc that hit nothing but net.

The best plays of Valencia Basket guard Chris Jones in his team's 91-92 win at Panathinaikos Athens.

Chris Jones's highlights vs. Panathinaikos

Mobbed by his joyous teammates, Jones stayed humble and credited the everyone involved for a victory that kept Valencia firmly on course to reach the playoffs. And he readily admitted he was a somewhat reluctant hero of the night as Valencia had to switch shooters on their last possession.

“It really wasn’t what was designed, not what we drew up,” Jones said in the flash interview after the game. “Credit to my teammates, we came out and got stops in the second half, not as many as we wanted, but we locked in, got the stops we needed and scored at the other end."

With the presenter insisting it was “all him” down the stretch, Jones replied: “It’s kind of what it looks like, but like I said, credit to my teammates. These guys believe in me, \[the\] coaching staff and everything. \[I'm\] just glad we got the win on the road.”

The post-game interview of Chris Jones after Valencia Basket's 91-92 win at Panathinaikos Athens.

Chris Jones's post-game interview

Had the last-gasp three-pointer not hit the target, the plaudits would have gone to Panathinaikos's dynamic duo of Paris Lee and Arturas Gudaitis, who both produced arguably the best performances of their EuroLeague careers.

Lee sank a career-high 25 points and Gudaitis posted a personal season’s best of 23 points and 10 rebounds, but their heroic efforts were simply overshadowed by that of Jones.

Valencia head coach Alex Mumbru was quick to point out that his team was full of players capable of stepping up to the plate at crunch time.

“The most important thing when you work is to build a team,” Mumbru said in the post-game press conference.

"Today, we found that Chris had the rhythm and we found the best option to take the last shot. But when this happens, it’s not only the last shot and not just that I believe \[that we'll win\]. It’s important that all the players believe. Sometimes it’s going to be Jones, sometimes another guy.”

Chris Jones stole the show in Athens 

Panathinaikos Athens v Valencia Basket (2023-02-10T19:00:00.000Z)

**BID TO HELP**: Melih Mahumutoglu is auctioning off the jerseys of Bogdan Bogdanovic, Shane Larkin, Jan Vesely, Gigi Datome and his own, signed by all Fenerbahce players, to help earthquake victims. You can submit bids via DM. The deadline to bid is Monday, February 13 at 20:00 CET. Meanwhile, Barcelona and Sertac Sanli are also auctioning off jerseys to help earthquake victims. Bid to help!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now is the time for solidarity❤️ <a href="https://t.co/WdDxnSxu2e">https://t.co/WdDxnSxu2e</a></p>&mdash; Melih Mahmutoğlu (@melihmahmutoglu) <a href="https://twitter.com/melihmahmutoglu/status/1624447664468242435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">An itibarıyla en yüksek güncel teklifler:<br><br>F.Bahçe Beko Forması: 150.000TL <br>Bogdanovic Forması: 150.000 TL<br>Vesely Forması: 80.000 TL<br>Larkin Forması: 50.000 TL<br>Datome Forması: 100.000 TL<br><br>Satışlar açık arttırma usulüyle devam ediyor. Teklif vermek için DM atabilirsiniz.</p>&mdash; Melih Mahmutoğlu (@melihmahmutoglu) <a href="https://twitter.com/melihmahmutoglu/status/1624508793588535297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">To participate in the auction, please visit <a href="https://t.co/nilca1fUP0">https://t.co/nilca1fUP0</a> <a href="https://t.co/jpGwtDd5aF">pic.twitter.com/jpGwtDd5aF</a></p>&mdash; Sertac Sanli (@SanliSertac) <a href="https://twitter.com/SanliSertac/status/1624123496014938126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Reactions from the EuroLeague community kept pouring in throughout the week, filled with sadness and disbelief that came with the unbelievable tragedy in Turkiye and Syria.

**ONE TEAM**: Unfortunately, One Team week was postponed due to the tragedy in Turkiye and Syria, but that did not stop EuroLeague stars from being involved with their club's respective programs.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our OneTeam Ambassador <a href="https://twitter.com/Kjw3434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kjw3434</a>, Daniel Hackett e Gora Camara joined our last <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> Session in Porelli gym 🤍🖤 <br>A real celebration of togetherness: WE ARE ALL ONE TEAM ‼️<br><br>➡ <a href="https://t.co/sDtxsM2qAr">https://t.co/sDtxsM2qAr</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmoreInfinito?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmoreInfinito</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/1nN00KXVCh">pic.twitter.com/1nN00KXVCh</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1623349488332021760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Bellissimo pomeriggio! <br>Il basket e lo sport hanno un enorme potere sui giovani! Bravissimi! <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlimpiaMI1936</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> <a href="https://t.co/L1YsdulMox">https://t.co/L1YsdulMox</a></p>&mdash; Gigi Datome (@GigiDatome) <a href="https://twitter.com/GigiDatome/status/1624377379169746946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**DAD TIME**: Sargent Swat and his son Samuel.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CofjOSfq4tv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CofjOSfq4tv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CofjOSfq4tv/?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 Edy Walter Tavares Veiga (@22edy22)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**KING JAMES**: Earlier in the week, LeBron James became the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Many EuroLeague players went to Twitter to congratulate him. Some of them were his former teammates, like Walter Tavares, and others opponents who played against him. All admire his accomplishment.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It was an honor to be close to the best player of all time congratulations king 🤴🏿 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blessed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blessed</a>🙏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kingjames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kingjames</a> <a href="https://t.co/BRFsjOefts">pic.twitter.com/BRFsjOefts</a></p>&mdash; Edy Tavares (@waltertavares22) <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22/status/1623379362480267281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Not ashamed to say; Yes I contributed to the All-Time Scoring Record! 😅😂 Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kingjames</a> 👑 💐 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Greatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Greatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/69NkKQdLRT">pic.twitter.com/69NkKQdLRT</a></p>&mdash; Brandon Davies (@Brandon_Davies0) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brandon_Davies0/status/1623340008278040576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Whether you like or not the player… 🤷🏻 <br>This is BIG! 👏🏻 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Respect?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Respect</a> 👑 <a href="https://t.co/WX2Tbnr20l">https://t.co/WX2Tbnr20l</a></p>&mdash; Nando De Colo (@NandoDeColo) <a href="https://twitter.com/NandoDeColo/status/1623260098964475907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">De nada Lebron 😂.<br><br>Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kingjames</a> on making history! 👑 <a href="https://t.co/TvH8oAbDB0">pic.twitter.com/TvH8oAbDB0</a></p>&mdash; Alex Abrines (@alexabrines) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexabrines/status/1623243652167237634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**THROWBACK**: Bayern's Cassius Winston admits this is the footage of his only in-game dunk.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">😂😂😂 my one and only game dunk in my life <a href="https://t.co/AI8pYBC7ab">https://t.co/AI8pYBC7ab</a></p>&mdash; Cassius Winston (@cassiuswinston) <a href="https://twitter.com/cassiuswinston/status/1622379434832445440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**REASONS**: Everyone has her or his reasons for taking a certain profession or sport. Valencia's Martin Hermannsson, who is recovering from a knee injury, discovered a reason why he did not follow one particular sport.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of the reasons why I chose Basketball instead of football..😅 <a href="https://t.co/fZPh0Ko829">https://t.co/fZPh0Ko829</a></p>&mdash; Martin Hermannsson (@hermannsson15) <a href="https://twitter.com/hermannsson15/status/1623028734797262849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**WINNERS' CIRCLE**: Partizan, Zvezda, Barcelona and Valencia all got big road wins.

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CodQ018KPYf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CodQ018KPYf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CodQ018KPYf/?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 KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@crvenazvezdakk)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Felt like a home game Bravo to our Fans!⚫️⚪️</p>&mdash; James Nunnally (@allornunn21) <a href="https://twitter.com/allornunn21/status/1623822394770042880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Feeling good ☺️ <a href="https://t.co/1bTBLQD8HP">pic.twitter.com/1bTBLQD8HP</a></p>&mdash; Alex Abrines (@alexabrines) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexabrines/status/1623804630181326848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">🥶🥶🥶 <a href="https://t.co/1MnSfDxMqM">https://t.co/1MnSfDxMqM</a></p>&mdash; Victor Claver (@Victor_Claver) <a href="https://twitter.com/Victor_Claver/status/1624168380038094848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


EuroLeague week on social media

Luke Sikma of ALBA defends against Olympiacos's Joel Bolomboy

Mam Jaiteh of Virtus throws down a two-handed slam against Barcelona

Jalen Adams of Maccabi gets past Ognjen Kuzmic of Zvezda for a reverse layup

Donta Hall of Monaco rebounds against ASVEL's Zaccharie Risacher and Yves Pons

Dante Exum of Partizan collides with Bayern's Corey Walden

Yves Pons of ASVEL dunks in Monaco 

Markus Howard of Baskonia gets around Zalgiris's Edgaras Ulanovas 

Toko Shengelia of Virtus defends against Barcelona's Alex Abrines

Nemanja Nedovic of Crvena Zvezda scores against Maccabi in Tel Aviv

Kyle Alexander of Valencia dunks against Panathinaikos in Athens

Look back at all the action from Round 24 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!