There won’t be any pretenders on the sidelines of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four with head coaches Georgios Bartzokas of Olympiacos Piraeus, Sarunas Jasikevicius of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Ergin Ataman of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, and Vassilis Spanoulis of AS Monaco at work

2025 Final Four: The coaches

There won’t be any pretenders on the sidelines of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. All four coaches in Abu Dhabi have lifted the trophy before, whether as a coach or player, and bring with them the necessary credentials to make history. Let’s have a look at what makes these four so special.

#### Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus

**Years with club:** 7

**Final Fours:** 6

The 59-year-old Georgios Bartzokas has had a full and exciting coaching career, which included four seasons abroad in Russia and Spain, but his biggest accomplishments have come with Olympiacos. He guided the club to the EuroLeague crown in 2013 in his first season on the bench. Now in his second stint, Bartzokas has taken the Reds to four straight Final Fours.

Bartzokas has coached five clubs in the EuroLeague (Maroussi, Olympiacos, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, FC Barcelona and Khimki Moscow Region) and taken three of them to the playoffs. However, his career record at the Final Four is 5-5 and his record in the semifinals is 2-3. That includes losing the 2022 semifinal to eventual champion Anadolu Efes Istanbul on a Vasilije Micic three at the buzzer.

This season Bartzokas has kept Olympiacos on a steady path, despite dealing with frontcourt injuries and losing point guard Thomas Walker for the stretch run. Already a three-time EuroLeague Coach of the Year and ranked sixth all-time in coaching wins, Bartzokas is now two wins from history.

**If Olympiacos wins…** Bartzokas would win his second championship 12 years after his first. That would be the second-longest gap between EuroLeague crowns. The longest is 15 years by the late Dusan Ivkovic, who Bartzokas replaced at Olympiacos in 2012.

#### Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

**Years with club:** 2 as a coach, 1 as a player

**Final Fours:** 6 as a coach, 5 as a player

A star point guard in his playing days, Sarunas Jasikevicius navigated a season of ups and downs to become the first team to qualify for the Final Four. All Saras has done is win whether as a player or coach. After capturing four EuroLeague championships with three teams as a player, he has now become the first coach to reach five consecutive Final Fours while switching teams in the middle.

After retiring as a player, Jasikevicius returned home to Lithuania and started his career as an assistant coach with Zalgiris Kaunas. He was handed the head coaching reins in January 2016 and has not disappointed thanks to his eye for talent, tactical acumen and level of intensity that ensures he gets the most out of his charges. Saras led Zalgiris to the 2018 Final Four and then joined FC Barcelona in 2021, leading the club to the next three Final Fours. Last season, having been appointed by Fenerbahce midseason, he took the team to the 2024 Final Four.

To date, Jasikevicius is 1-4 at semifinals and eager to change that. He was voted as this season's Aleksander Gomelskiy Coach of the Year after twice leading Fener on six-game winning streaks and later sweeping Paris Basketball in the playoffs. Saras is now two wins from history.

**If Fenerbahce wins…** Jasikevicius would become the fourth person in EuroLeague history to have won the championship as a player and coach. The first three were Armenak Alachachan, Lolo Sainz and Svetislav Pesic.

#### Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Years with club: 2

Final Fours: 7

Not only is he the reigning champ, but Ergin Ataman has won the EuroLeague in three of the last four seasons! None of that is a coincidence. Ataman is a coach who has a system, gives talented players the freedom to be creative in that system and all season long challenges them, holds them accountable and instills confidence in them.

The EuroLeague is one of four pan-European competitions that Ataman has won, so the Turkish tactician is as experienced as they come in pressure-filled situations. And when needed, he knows how to take on the pressure and thus relieve his players of it.

With Panathinaikos, Ataman put together a star-studded roster in his first season and got them to gel in time to take the crown. This season he added more top-tier talent and made sure the ship kept sailing after All-EuroLeague center Mathias Lessort went down with a broken leg. Ataman has won his last four EuroLeague semifinals and is seeking his fifth championship game appearance from the last six Final Fours. Ataman is now two wins from history.

**If Panathinaikos wins…** Ataman will move into a tie (with Ettore Messina, Bozidar Maljkovic, Pedro Ferrandiz and Aleksander Gomelskiy) for the second-most championships won with four. The winningest coach is Zeljko Obradovic with nine titles.

#### Vassilis Spanoulis, AS Monaco

Years with club: 1

Final Fours: 1 as a coach, 5 as a player

As a player Vassilis Spanoulis was known as someone who brought magic to the court and never shied away from the biggest moments. And so far, that appears to be who he is as a head coach. Spanoulis made his EuroLeague head coaching debut in November and is now back at the Final Four, an event he dominated many times in his playing days.

The same basketball IQ and drive for excellence that defined Spanoulis as a guard have made him a special head coach. After retiring from playing in 2021, he began his head coaching career a year later with Peristeri Athens. And he needed only two seasons to show that he was ready for prime time.

Only 42 years old, Spanoulis is young enough to connect with his players and has built a special bond with All-EuroLeague guard Mike James, among other players. Will those bonds be enough to take this Monaco bunch over the hump and to the crown? Based on how Spanoulis ruled as a player at the Final Four, it would be dangerous to bet against him. As a player, he was 5-0 in EuroLeague Semifinals. Spanoulis is now two wins from history.

**If Monaco wins…** Spanoulis would become the first coach to win the EuroLeague in his first season coaching in the competition since Zeljko Obradovic did so with Partizan Belgrade in 1992.

Frankie Sachs analyses the four play-callers at the Final Four

Olympiacos Piraeus v AS Monaco (2025-05-23T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-05-23T15:00:00.000Z)

As we continue to build up to the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens star Cedi Osman hopped aboard the EuroLeague & Friends podcast at the Greens' pre-Final Four Media Day. 

Cedi Osman takes center stage on the pre-Final Four EuroLeague & Friends podcast

As we continue to build up to the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) star [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/) hopped aboard the EuroLeague & Friends podcast at the Greens' pre-Final Four Media Day. 

They discussed why his nickname is "the first Jedi", his adjustment to Greece, the love he gets from Panathinaikos fans, the fact he will play another Turkish team after eliminating Efes in playoffs, plus much more. Mathias Lessort even came with some other Panathinaikos teammates to do a selfie with Osman mid-podcast!

There is a lot of familiarity among the four teams that will challenge for the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown at the Final Four in Abu Dhabi. 

The many crossed paths of the 2025 Final Four participants 

There is a lot of familiarity among the four teams that will challenge for the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown at the Final Four in Abu Dhabi. The rosters and coaching staffs of [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/), [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/), [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) and [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) feature many players who have suited up for more than one of those teams and many former teammates who will square off against one another.

### The coaches know each other well

Let's start with the four head coaches. AS Monaco head coach Vassilis Spanoulis won his last EuroLeague title in 2013 when he led Olympiacos to a 100-88 win over Real Madrid in the championship game. Spanoulis was then coached by current Olympiacos boss Georgios Bartzokas.

Olympiacos's Georgios Bartzokas and Monaco's Vassilis Spanoulis embrace before the Round 32 meeting between the two teams.

Spanoulis and current Fenerbahce head coach Saras Jasikevicius were teammates when Panathinaikos won the EuroLeague in 2009. That marked Saras's fourth championship and was Spanoulis's first of three. Both Spanoulis and Jasikevicius now have the chance to become the fourth person to win the EuroLeague as both a player and coach.

How does Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman fit in? Ataman won the 2021 championship game against Barca, which was coached by Jasikevicius. In 2022, Anadolu Efes Istanbul downed Olympiacos 74-77 in the semifinals on a three-point shot by Vasilije Micic, which allowed Ataman's team to knock off Bartzokas's squad. Ataman has eliminated Fenerbahce twice in the semifinals, with Efes in 2019 and with Panathinaikos in 2024, stopping Saras from reaching another championship game.

Ataman has also coached one of Fenerbahce's top scorers. [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/) and Ataman teamed up at Efes in the second part of the 2017-18 season. Before that, they led Galatasaray to the 2016 EuroCup championship, with the latter McCollum earning EuroCup MVP honors.

### Sloukas reigns supreme

Panathinaikos star guard [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) is entering his 11th Final Four; he was also present in 2009, but did not appear in any game. Sloukas has led three of this year's Final Four teams to EuroLeague glory. He won back-to-back titles with Olympiacos in 2012 and 2013 and added crowns with Fenerbahce in 2017 and Panathinaikos last year. He is one of two players to win the EuroLeague with three different teams; Jasikevicius is the other. Sloukas is 8-2 in the EuroLeague semifinals, and his two losses came against Coach Ataman: against Efes with Fenerbahce in 2019 and against Olympiacos in 2022.

Kostas Sloukas celebrates with the 2024 EuroLeague trophy and his Final Four MVP award.

Two more players have won the EuroLeague with a potential Final Four opponent. [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) of Monaco won his only championship with Panathinaikos in 2011. Should Calathes win in Abu Dhabi, he would take the record for the longest gap between crowns, which is currently held by Dino Meneghin (1976 Varese, 1987 Milan). [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/) of Olympiacos lifted the trophy with Panathinaikos last season. If he wins this season, Vildoza would become the first player to win the EuroLeague with both Greek giants in consecutive seasons.

Sloukas is not the only player to have played for three of this year's Final Four teams. Calathes had two stints with Panathinaikos and was with Fenerbahce last season. Monaco center Georgios Papagiannis made it to the 2021-22 All-EuroLeague Second Team with the Greens and also played for Fenerbahce in the 2023-24 campaign. Amazingly, the 2017 EuroLeague Championship Game between Olympiacos and Fenerbahce featured players or coaches from all four teams present at the 2025 Final Four: Olympiacos ([Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/), [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/)), Panathinaikos (Sloukas, [Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/)), Fenerbahce ([Khem Birch](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khem-birch/007182/), [Melih Mahmutoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/melih-mahmutoglu/002969/)) and Monaco (Coach Spanoulis).

### But wait, there's more

[Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) of Monaco and [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) of Fenerbahce were Brose Baskets Bamberg teammates for two seasons. [Petr Cornelie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/petr-cornelie/004790/) of Monaco and [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/) of Olympiacos helped Real Madrid win the EuroLeague in 2023. Panathinaikos center [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) made his professional debut with Fenerbahce as a teenager in 2014 and spent parts of two seasons with the club.

Daniel Theis and Nicolo Melli in action for Brose Bamberg.

[Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) of Olympiacos played for Monaco during the 2014-15 season, when the club was in the French second division. Fall has teamed with Evan Fournier and Monaco's Cornelie, [Terry Tarpey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/terry-tarpey/012515/) and [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) on the French national team. At EuroBasket 2022, Fall, Fournier, Tarpey and Okobo won silver medals. Before that, Fall, Fournier and Cornelie took silver medals at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Fall also teamed with [Matthew Strazel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-strazel/008099/) of Monaco at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne during the 2020-21 season.

Papanikolaou and [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/) played together in the NBA with the Houston Rockets. Likewise, [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) of Olympiacos, Birch and Panathinaikos guard [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/) were teammates at the NBA's Orlando Magic.

[Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) of Olympiacos, [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) of Fenerbahce and [Marius Grigonis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/002328/) of Panathinaikos spent two seasons together with Zalgiris Kaunas, and were all coached by Jasikevicius in the 2019-20 campaign. [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) of Fenerbahce and [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) of Olympiacos were Efes teammates that same season. Peters went on to play for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in the 2021-22 season and teamed up with Vildoza. A year later, Peters shared the floor with Fenerbahce's [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Nigel Hayes-Davis and Marius Grigonis on the floor together during their time at Zalgiris Kaunas.

Many Panathinaikos players are connected to other teams and players, too. Like Sloukas, Papapetrou made his EuroLeague debut with Olympiacos and played there for five years. [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) won the 2020-21 EuroCup with Monaco. [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) played one season with Fenerbahce and had Baldwin and [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) as Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv teammates in each of the last two seasons. And in his only season with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, [Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) shared the floor with Melli and [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/).

So there will be many old friends at the games in Abu Dhabi, but when the Final Four tips off they will more importantly be basketball rivals.

Familiar faces and former teammates are set to fight for Turkish Airlines EuroLeague glory in Abu Dhabi

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans are going to be in for a treat in Abu Dhabi, with the FanZone acting as the perfect accompaniment to all the Final Four action. 

The Final Four is not a Final Four without its FanZone!

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans are going to be in for a treat in Abu Dhabi, with the FanZone acting as the perfect accompaniment to all the Final Four action. Taking place at The Galleria Al Maryah Island - South Bridge Link between May 23 and 25 from 10am to 10pm local time, the FanZone will be full of entertainment for fans of all ages to enjoy.

This year’s FanZone brings the excitement of the game beyond the court, with three dynamic zones packed with interactive fun. From testing your shot on electronic hoops to comparing your hand size to EuroLeague stars and reliving the most iconic plays from the past 25 years, there's something for everyone. Ever wondered how your height stacks up to your favorite player? Now’s your chance to find out!

Many of Euroleague Basketball’s family of sponsors will be involved in the FanZone festivities, too, as they help bring their own unique flavor to the celebration.

Turkish Airlines will be on hand to deliver immersive experiences and activations that transport them to new heights, while BKT invites attendees to pose with the official EuroLeague Trophy and test their skills on custom arcade games. Motorola amps up the energy with tech-infused excitement, offering interactive games and gadget showcases that blend innovation with entertainment.

For collectors, Panini is a must-visit. Here, fans can grab the latest stickers and cards while trading with fellow enthusiasts. CFI adds a competitive edge with its Trading Court, as it combines financial education with prize-winning excitement. Meanwhile, Trendyol brings creativity to the forefront by connecting fans to EuroLeague Final Four players in a fun and engaging way.

Of course, no fan experience would be complete without the chance to gear up. The Official Final Four Merchandise stand will be stocked with iconic T-shirts, team gear, and more.

The fun doesn’t stop there! The FanZone will be buzzing with activities throughout the weekend. A live DJ will keep the energy high with music all day long. Face painting stations will be available on game days for fans of all ages, while dance performances will light up the stage. Multiple basketball zones will feature spectator challenges, prizes, and non-stop action.

Don’t miss your chance to meet the stars, too. Throughout the weekend, fans can look forward to special appearances from current Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four players, as well as All-25 EuroLeague team members and legendary players from across the last 25 years.

Whether you’re a lifelong EuroLeague follower or new to the game, the FanZone is for you. See you there!

Challenges, music and prizes are awaiting you at the FanZone between May 23 and 25 at The Galleria Al Maryah Island

Javier Gancedo makes his picks for which why Saben Lee, Jordan Loyd, Nicolo Melli and Jerian Grant might be the biggest difference makers at the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi

Who might be an X-factor at the Final Four?

When it comes to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, the unexpected has almost become expected. Over the years, many role players have taken on key roles and surprised opponents and casual fans alike to become difference-makers at Final Fours. Why should the 2025 Final Four in Abu Dhabi be an exception? Before I examine who those X-factors might be this year, let's take a look back at recent Final Fours.

### Sleepers: A look back

You only need to check the list of champions to find who, against all odds, helped lead their teams to the title. Maccabi Tel Aviv fans probably remember [Nestoras Kommatos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nestoras-kommatos/jgk/)'s iconic performance in the 2005 championship game against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and how [Aleksey Savrasenko](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/aleksey-savrasenko/alr/) surprised their team a year later as CSKA Moscow claimed the 2006 crown. [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/) may be the king of all Final Four sleepers; he played a big role for Real Madrid at the 2018 and 2023 Final Fours. Causeur had 17 points and a PIR of 21 in the 2018 championship game against Fenerbahce Istanbul and - despite averaging 4.0 points in the 2022-23 campaign, he scored 11 points in the 2023 final against Olympiacos Piraeus.

Last season, [Panagiotis Kalaitzakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/panagiotis-kalaitzakis/011209/) gave Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens the energy it needed in both the semifinals and the final to average a PIR of 6.5 in barely 7 minutes per night. In 2022, [Tibor Pleiss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tibor-pleiss/lhk/) had an iconic performance to lead Anadolu Efes Istanbul to a 57-58 win over Real Madrid: 19 points and 7 rebounds for a PIR of 24. Even when [Vasilije Micic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vasilije-micic/002580/) and [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) got all the credit in the [2021 championship game](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-wins-its-first-euroleague-crown/), [Adrian Moerman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/adrien-moerman/001833/) took care of all the dirty work, amassing 6 points and 8 boards for a PIR of 12. Whenever a team wins the EuroLeague, there is always an unsung hero. Here are four players I will have my eye on in Abu Dhabi.

Adrian Moerman took care of the dirty work in the 2021 championship game

### Saben Lee, Olympiacos Piraeus

It has been a rollercoaster season for [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/); he started it with Turkish side Manisa Basket, made [a stunning EuroLeague debut with Maccabi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/saben-lee-announced-himself-to-the-euroleague-with-stellar-maccabi-debut/) that included poster dunks and even a game-winner against Real Madrid, returned to Manisa only to join Olympiacos a little later. Energy guys are a must to succeed in the Final Four, plus Lee has been playing better lately. Lee averaged 5.2 points and a PIR of 7.9 in the playoffs series against Real despite playing less than 12 minutes per game. If Olympiacos goes all the way, Lee would put an incredible end to one of the most eventful seasons any player ever had in the competition.

Saben Lee of Olympiacos Piraeus has a chance to win the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title in his first season in the competition.

2024-25 EuroLeague highlights: Saben Lee, Olympiacos

### Nicolo Melli, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

[Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) knows what it takes to do well at the Final Four, even though he's never lifted the trophy. In 2018, he posted 28 points and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 27 in the championship game against Real Madrid. Seven years later, Melli is still a reliable scorer and a key player in Fenerbahce's frontcourt defense. He is one of many seasoned Fenerbahce veterans looking to win their first EuroLeague title after many years in the competition. A fierce competitor, Melli should be ready to bring out his best as a rock-solid defender who can score from anywhere and use his off-the-charts basketball IQ to take care of the important small details. 

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul big man Nicolo Melli is trying to win his first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title at the 2025 Final Four.

2024-25 EuroLeague highlights: Nicolo Melli, Fenerbahce

### Jerian Grant, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Though eyes will be on other players, [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/) always seems to get the job done. He scored only 3 points in [Game 1 of the playoffs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-beats-efes-87-83-in-game-1/), but hit the game-clinching corner three-pointer in the final minute. [In the do-or-die Game 5](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-downs-efes-in-game-5-75-67-to-reach-final-four/), he made the difference with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Grant always takes on a critical role on defense and he brings experience from last year's Final Four. [He was all over the place in the 2024 championship game](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-euroleague-final-four-panathinaikos-jerian-grant-was-an-unsung-hero-of-the-championship-effort/) with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals against Real Madrid. In big games, Grant can fix almost any problem Coach Ataman may have.

In two years, Jerian Grant earned 2022-23 BKT EuroCup MVP honors and helped Panathinaikos to win 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, the club's first continental crown in 13 years. Grant wants more in Abu Dhabi.

2024-25 EuroLeague highlights: Jerian Grant, Panathinaikos

### Jordan Loyd, AS Monaco

[Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) is an experienced player who should find his groove in Abu Dhabi. And when he is in good rhythm, he can be just as deadly a scorer as any of his backcourt teammates, whether looking for his own shots off the dribble or coming off screens to use his quick release. Loyd should be ready to bounce back after the playoffs (4.6 ppg., 22.2% 2FG, 30.8% 3FG). A veteran of six EuroLeague seasons, this is Loyd's best shot to win the EuroLeague and he will be sure to make the most of it.

AS Monaco guard Jordan Loyd earned another shot to lift the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague trophy at the end of the season.

2024-25 EuroLeague highlights: Jordan Loyd, Monaco

Javier Gancedo makes his picks for which unheralded players might be the biggest difference makers in Abu Dhabi

In the lead-up to the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, AS Monaco star Mike James joined the EuroLeague & Friends podcast at the club's pre-Final Four Media Day. There was a surprise, too, as Olympiacos Piraeus forward Sasha Vezenkov briefly joined the podcast!

Mike James appears on the EuroLeague & Friends podcast... with a surprise guest!

In the lead-up to the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) star [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) joined the EuroLeague & Friends podcast at the club's pre-Final Four Media Day. There was a surprise, too, as [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) forward [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) briefly joined the podcast!

James discussed what it has been like to have Vassilis Spanoulis as head coach, inviting friends to the Final Four, the upcoming semifinal against Olympiacos, going up against Thomas Walkup, plus much more.

What can we learn about the semifinals from the duels between Fenerbahce Beko and Panathinaikos BC or the clashes between Olympiacos BC and AS Monaco? 

Examining regular-season matchups to understand the semifinals

Thanks to the league format of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, no teams can meet in the postseason without having previously butted heads twice in the regular season. What can we learn about the semifinals from the duels between [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2024/328/) or the clashes between [Olympiacos Piraeus and AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/olympiacos-piraeus-as-monaco/E2024/327/)? Below is just some of the data that is useful to know ahead of the games on Friday, May 23.

### Fenerbahce vs. Panathinaikos

The Greens are 4-1 against Fenerbahce in the Ergin Ataman era with wins in the last four games. This season, those victories were [a 76-81 road win in Round 5](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-roars-back-for-a-thrilling-76-81-win-at-fenerbahce/) and [a 91-90 thriller in Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-edges-fenerbahce-91-90-in-a-titanic-tussle/) in Round 25 in February. [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) was Panathinaikos’s best weapon against Fener this season with 13 points on near-perfect shooting and 3 assists for a PIR of 20 in less than 20 minutes in the first meeting and 23 points in the second clash.

Fenerbahce star [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/)’s two games against Panathinaikos could not have been more different. In the first, he scored a season-low 3 points and had a PIR of negative-4. It was one of six games in his three seasons with Fener in which Hayes-Davis had a negative PIR. Two of those came against Panathinaikos. The next time they met, he was back to his old self with 21 points and 9 boards for a PIR of 26.

The rosters also underwent changes between the two meetings. Panathinaikos centers [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) and [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) combined for 26 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks against Fener in October. Neither played in February. [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/), who was a non-factor for the Greens in Round 5 (2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 PIR in 28 minutes) was a major factor in Round 25 with 15 points and 8 boards for a PIR of 20.

Fenerbahce's second-best scorer in both games against Panathinaikos was a guard who did not play in the other game. The first time it was [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) with 14 points and 4 assists, but an injury kept him from playing in the rematch. [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/), who was not yet with the club in their first Panathinaikos encounter, poured in 18 in the second. With both healthy for the semifinal, the Fenerbahce backcourt is that much stronger.

When it comes to team numbers, very little has separated these teams. For instance, they were nearly identical on the boards (Fenerbahce took 1 rebound more than Panathinaikos over the two games). Where they were different was in turnovers and outside shooting. Fenerbahce’s 13.5 turnovers per game against Panathinaikos were 4.0 more than the Greens committed. However, Fenerbahce made up for that by bagging 25 of 61 three-pointers (40.9%), while Panathinaikos made only 18, though at slightly better accuracy (41.9%).

### Olympiacos vs. Monaco

Olympiacos and Monaco split their two regular-season meetings this season, with each triumphing on the road. The Reds raced to [an 80-89 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-sinks-monaco-80-89-handing-spanoulis-first-defeat/) in Round 13 before Monaco claimed [a 77-80 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/spanouliss-monaco-downs-olympiacos-77-80/) at Peace & Friendship Stadium in Round 32. The stars did not disappoint in either encounter, though it is worth noting that [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), the [EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mike-james-becomes-the-euroleague-all-time-leading-scorer/), did most of his damage as a passer.

James dished a dozen assists in both games against Olympiacos, while scoring 10 in the first encounter and 11 in the second. The Olympiacos defense held James to 40% shooting on two-pointers and 30% on threes. Monaco's best scorer against Olympiacos this season has been [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaron-blossomgame/011231/) with 30 points between the two games, including a career-high 18 in Round 32. [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) scored 21 in Round 13.

[Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) was his rock-solid self against Monaco with averages of 17.5 points, 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2 steals in the two games. In the game at Monaco, [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) and [Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/) combined for 37 points, but they accounted for just 13 in the home leg, in which [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) scored 15.

Olympiacos outrebounded Monaco by an average of 6 rebounds per game, though both teams played without complete frontcourts at times and should be deeper in Abu Dhabi. Foul shooting had an impact on the results in both games. Monaco shot only 4 times from the charity stripe – and made only 2 – in the game that it lost and Olympiacos was an abysmal 19 for 33 (57.6%) when it lost as five players missed multiple free throws.

Could foul shooting be what decided the outcome of this game? Will it be a strong shooting night from Mike James? Or a moment of brilliance from Sasha Vezenkov? Or someone unexpected stepping up? I know you can’t wait to find out!

Let’s see what we can learn from the games the semifinalists played against each other this season

The mid-season signings who helped their teams reach the Final Four

Sometimes adding a player to the roster mid-season can be the difference between a team achieving its goals or falling just short. Ahead of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, all four clubs – [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/), [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/), [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) and [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) – signed at least one player during the regular season, with four of these individuals set to play important roles in Abu Dhabi.

In terms of name and prestige, Monaco beating out competition from both sides of the Atlantic to sign [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) in mid-February has to go down as a master stroke. Overnight, coach Vassilis Spanoulis saw his team go from a side that could maybe reach the Final Four to potential title contenders.

Theis, who is averaging 12.2 points and a team-high 5.4 rebounds entering the Final Four, played the final eight regular-season games before appearing in all five games against FC Barcelona in the playoffs. With 452 NBA games under his belt, the 33-year-old won’t be overawed by playing at the Final Four and will be eager to leave his mark as Monaco goes in search of its first EuroLeague championship.

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Another player who will be feeling confident ahead of his first Final Four is [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/), who joined Fenerbahce in early January. The veteran guard is in his 15th season overseas and, even at 37, remains a source of instant offense for Fenerbahce. He arrived at a time when the team was suffering with plenty of injuries, but he settled in immediately and heads into the Final Four as the team’s second leading scorer (11.5 ppg.).

McCollum was initially brought in to cover for injuries to Wade Baldwin and Scottie Wilbekin, but with Baldwin available since Round 27, Fenerbahce has a 1-2 punch at the guard positions that will cause plenty of headaches for defending champ Panathinaikos in the semifinals. A 2016 BKT EuroCup champion with Galatasaray, McCollum will be determined to add a EuroLeague championship to his résumé in Abu Dhabi.

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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DExrz3joWDW/?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 Errick McCollum (@errickm3)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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Speaking of the Greens, the broken fibula suffered by Mathias Lessort in Round 17 could have thrown their season into disarray. Eventual MVP Kendrick Nunn took his game to another level, but at center Panathinaikos was light – and even more so when Omer Yurtseven (who has now returned) went down. [As he revealed on the EuroLeague & Friends podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7reD5qyjQ34&list=PLXcjy-GNBj1yVF3i2kWIseta5qBjEJSmP&index=2), Nunn quickly spoke with management to recommend his former teammate from the Los Angeles Lakers, [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/), and a few days later – on December 23 – he was at OAKA.

Gabriel blocked 5 shots on his Panathinaikos debut in Round 18 and went on to finish the regular season with averages of 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 17 games. While the South Sudan international struggled to make an impact in the first four games of Panathinaikos’s playoff series with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, he stepped up in the win-or-go-home Game 5 with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block to help book the Greens’ passage to the Final Four.

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJXA8WMJZed/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJXA8WMJZed/?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; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJXA8WMJZed/?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 Wenyen Gabriel (@wenyengabriel)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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Just south of Athens, [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/) landed at Olympiacos minutes before the transfer deadline on February 26. It has been quite the debut season in Europe for Lee. After creating shockwaves with Turkish side Manisa Basket, he got a shot with EuroLeague side Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, where he played eight times and made several highlight reels. He soon returned to Manisa, but a call from Olympiacos – and a contract until 2027 – saw him join the Reds.

Working his way into coach Georgios Bartzokas’s well-oiled machine on the fly has been a difficult task, but there have been reasons for optimism in his 11 appearances, including good minutes in the playoffs against Real Madrid, posting 5.2 PPG, 1.5 RPG and a 7.2 PIR. Even if Lee is more a signing for the future, he has the chance to emerge and make a real name for himself at the Final Four.

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The fight for the EuroLeague title begins with the semifinals on May 23 and will end with the championship game on May 25. Perhaps after the title decider, fans will look back fondly on the impact one of these mid-season signings made in Abu Dhabi.

These four players made a significant impact after joining during the regular season

Ahead of the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, Olympiacos BC star Sasha Vezenkov appeared on the EuroLeague & Friends podcast at the Reds' Media Day. 

Playoffs MVP Sasha Vezenkov joins the pre-Final Four EuroLeague & Friends podcast

Ahead of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) star [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) – the first-ever winner of the Playoffs MVP trophy – appeared on the EuroLeague & Friends podcast at the Reds' Media Day. 

Vezenkov discussed being named the Playoffs MVP, his family and friends who will be coming to Abu Dhabi, the upcoming semifinal matchup with AS Monaco, the possibility of a first all-Greek final, plus much more.