Name: EuroLeague Weekly, Round 29: The Greek derby, big games for Serbian teams...
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Two ex-Hapoel Tel Aviv BC players could get some payback against their former team in the EuroCup Quarterfinals, as Turk Telekom Ankara duo Braian Angola and Kyle Alexander look to cause an upset.

Angola, Alexander are key to Turk Telekom's hopes against Hapoel

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) made no bones about its goals this summer. And every day since. The club is targeting a spot in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the most direct way to do that would be to win the BKT EuroCup.

Renewable energy tycoon Ofer Yannay has spared no expense to turn his club into a winner with shock move after shock move of players from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the NBA. The first big move over the summer was the signing of star center [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Then came [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) (who has since left the club) from the NBA. And [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) from Partizan Mozzzart Bet Belgrade. Two-time EuroLeague champion [Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/itoudis-dimitris/) took over as head coach in November. And then [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/) left FC Bayern Munich shortly after that to return to the club.

Of course, those moves have had ripple effects. The signing of Motley spelled the end of [Kyle Alexander](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-alexander/011973/)'s time in Tel Aviv. He would end up with [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/). [Braian Angola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/braian-angola/010465/), like Alexander, played for Hapoel last season. Unlike Alexander, he had a contract for 2024-25. However, he was never a part of the team's plans and after appearing in just one EuroCup game for 5:30 minutes in the first four rounds of the season, Angola left and signed for Turk Telekom.

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On Wednesday, Turk Telekom will lean heavily on Angola and Alexander as the team tries to upset Hapoel in the quarterfinals.

While the duo may have not been what Hapoel wanted this season, they have been just what the doctor ordered for Turk Telekom. Alexander leads the EuroCup in blocked shots (2.1 bpg.), is third in rebounds (7.0 rpg.) and 10th in PIR (16.8). Angola is 13th in PIR, but his 18.2 average with Turk Telekom would rank sixth if it weren’t dragged down by the sole appearance with Hapoel. Likewise, his 16.2 points per game would be seventh.

Alexander will match up head-to-head with Motley, who has been a force with 16.9 points and 5.0 rebounds for a PIR of 19.8. Angola will likely re-enact his duels with [Ish Wainright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ishmail-carzell-wainright/013284/) from early-season scrimmages in Tel Aviv.

Those players are not the only ones upon whom the fate of this game rests. Turk Telekom shooting guard [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/) is second in the EuroCup in scoring (18.4 ppg.), [Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/) (11.6 ppg., 5.0 rpg.) is second to only Alexander in blocks (1.6 bpg.) and point guard [Speedy Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenneth-smith/010587/) is another mid-season arrival from Israel with him starting the campaign with another EuroCup quarterfinalist, [Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem/jer/).

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Even the head coaches know each other well, with Itoudis having faced off against [Erdem Can](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/can-erdem/?season=U2024) many times when the latter coached Fenerbahce.

Only [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/) and [Bar Timor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bar-timor/004846/) remain among the rotation players on Hapoel’s roster from last season, so the mostly-rebuilt squad will look to carry the team into the semifinals, which is merely one step on the path to glory management has the team set on. Last season, Hapoel stumbled in the quarterfinals, blowing a 21-point lead against another Turkish foe, Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul.

If Hapoel falls at this stage again, it could well be because of some Israeli League cast-offs on the other end of the floor.

Game News

The former Tel Aviv players will look to end Hapoel’s season again in the quarterfinals

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Turk Telekom Ankara (2025-03-12T17:00:00.000Z)

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

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

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

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

### Luka Doncic

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

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

From the archive: Luka Doncic highlights

### Milos Teodosic

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

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

From the archive: Milos Teodosic highlights

### Dejan Bodiroga

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

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

From the archive: Dejan Bodiroga highlights

### Georgios Printezis

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

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

From the archive: Georgios Printezis highlights

### Walter Tavares

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

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

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

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

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips for the quarterfinals of the EuroCup Playoffs.

Javier Gancedo's fantasy tips for the EuroCup Quarterfinals

The 2024-25 BKT EuroCup has reached the quarterfinals – another make-or-break single-game round. After that, it will be best-of-three playoff series in both the semifinals and finals. 

[EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/11) managers will be looking at a lot of the same players, the competition's superstars. I am here to give you the advice you need to complement those stars and get a high score. 

Here are my recommendations this week. 

### DeVante Jones, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (10.2 credits) 

Cedevita is without injured star Jaka Blazic and everybody has to step up to be competitive against Bahcesehir. [DeVante Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devante-jones/013260/) had a fantastic performance in the eighthfinals against Besiktas with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals for a PIR of 21 off the bench. Without Blazic, he should see even more playing time. 

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DG1bgnfsWwz/?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/DG1bgnfsWwz/?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; 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### Tai Odiase, Bahcesehir College Istanbul (14.2 credits) 

There are not too many good center options left and [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/) is one of them. He can use his experience and athleticism against Joan Beringer and Andrija Stipanovic, which makes him very valuable. Odiase has posted a double-digit PIR in each of his team's last eight games and a rock-solid center is what everyone needs now. 

### Chris Jones, Valencia Basket (13.7 credits)  

Jean Montero sat out with an injury this week, which means [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-jones/010568/) and Stefan Jovic may see extended playing time in this game against Cluj. Jones missed his team's first game in Cluj and did not play well in a 109-80 home victory in Round 12. His competitive nature is perfect for games like this and he could be Valencia's X-factor

<center>
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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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### Yovel Zoosman, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (8.7 credits) 

Jerusalem is missing center Gabriel Chachashvili, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Austin Wiley returned to action after a long absence and Derek Ogbeide needs help under the boards. Small ball is a possibility and that's where [Yovel Zoosman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yovel-zoosman/006625/) fits in perfectly this week with his experience, versatility and skill.  

### Kyle Alexander, Turk Telekom Ankara (14.8 credits) 

Turk Telekom will need to get Johnathan Motley into foul trouble, as he is Hapoel's most important player right now. [Kyle Alexander](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-alexander/011973/) is coming off yet another solid performance in the quarterfinals: 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks against Buducnost. If Alexander and Yoan Makoundou stop Motley, their team has a better chance. 

Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo shares some tips for the last eight

Valencia Basket v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2025-03-12T19:30:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-03-11T19:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-03-11T17:00:00.000Z)

The Rivalry Series game this week is the Greek derby featuring Olympiacos BC and Panathinaikos BC at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, while some other mouth-watering clashes include KK Crvena zvezda versus Olimpia Milano, KK Partizan against FC Barcelona, and Zalgiris Kaunas taking on Paris Basketball.

EuroLeague Weekly, Round 29: The Greek derby, big games for Serbian teams...

Just five games remain in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, so we are well and truly at the business end of the campaign. The Rivalry Series game this week is the Greek derby featuring [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) and [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, while some other mouth-watering clashes include [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/) versus [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/), [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) against [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/), and [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) taking on [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/).

EuroLeague Weekly, Round 29: The Greek derby, big games for the Serbian teams...

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

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

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

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

U-BT Cluj-Napoca guard Sasu Salin spoke to Euroleague.net's Javier Gancedo ahead of the team's quarterfinal tie against Valencia Basket in the 2025 EuroCup Playoffs.

Sasu Salin: 'All the pressure is on Valencia'

Despite not playing in the BKT EuroCup for the last six seasons, [U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/clu/) guard [Sasu Salin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sasu-salin/002820/) has a lot of experience in the competition, taking part in 101 games and ranking fifth all-time in three-point shots made (222).

Last week, the Finn helped [Cluj beat Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius 99-100](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cluj-eliminates-wolves-in-2ot-99-100/) in double overtime to make it to the quarterfinals with a third different team after previously doing so with Dreamland Gran Canaria and Unicaja Malaga. Salin had 8 points, 4 assists, 2 steals and a PIR of 13, proving once again that he is way more than a three-point specialist.

Cluj now faces Valencia Basket, a team that Salin has regularly gone up against in the last decade. He believes that if Cluj can focus on doing what they do well, this could be the last-ever EuroCup game played at La Fonteta, as he explained in an interview with [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)'s Javier Gancedo.

Sasu Salin is back in the BKT EuroCup after a six-year stint.

2024-25 EuroCup highlights: Sasu Salin, Cluj

**Hello, Sasu. First things first, what a way to start the playoffs with a double-overtime road win! What allowed you to stay in the game after a slow first half and win it down the stretch?**

"Thanks. Yes, we were behind all the time in the first half and we were missing all the little things on defense. We gave them easy dunks and easy looks, and just looked bad from the beginning. But luckily, we were able to turn it around in the second half. We showed character after the break – it's never easy when you go play one game away and you have to win on their court. I think we showed a lot of character."

**And Zavier Simpson had an extraordinary performance with 26 points and 14 assists. You have played with many great point guards, but what do you like about him?**

"Well, it is just his ability to go to the basket and to beat his own guy. It's extraordinary. I played with great passers and great minds that helped my game, and Zavier can play like the typical point guard, passing the ball and everything. But his ability to score, I think, it is at another level. And that's why he scored 26 \[points against the Wolves\] and we can rely on him in difficult moments, too. He makes our easy game easier."

**Man, he can also hit hooks shots, it's unbelievable...**

"Yeah! That's one of the things that of course I knew before he came here to Cluj. All my teammates said, 'Oh, you have Captain Hook, the hook guy' and I was like, 'yeah, that's his thing'. He said he got tired of the big guys blocking his shots so many times, so he started to do something else, and he is mastering it!"

**Yeah, totally. Moving on, you have been to the quarterfinals with three teams: Gran Canaria (even to the semifinals), Unicaja and now with Cluj. From your experience, what's most important to do in these do-or-die games?**

"Now it is just one game and you just have to think about that. We are the underdogs here. Everybody has been talking about Valencia and how tough they are, and how they are going to probably win the EuroCup, so all the pressure is on them. We just have to think about our stuff, what we can do better comparing to the other games that we played against them and if we can play the 40 minutes as we want, making no mistakes. If we play our best game of the season, we have a chance. We have nothing to lose."

<center>
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**During your career, you have played a good number of times at La Fonteta, with not many good results (3-12 in all competitions). How can Cluj turn that into an advantage, Valencia being the heavy favorites to win the game?**

"First of all, I think it helps that we have experienced guys in our team. We are not new to international competitions, and we know pretty much how to prepare for this. And like I said before, we have to make their game harder and don't let them get into their flow, which they did against us and what I see now in the ACB against Zaragoza (Valencia won 71-115). They run, take open threes and make them, and they can really, really hurt teams. But we just have to keep them to five-on-five offense, limit their ability to run and just make every shot for them harder. On the other side, we have to take good shots, not let them run and get those easy points and take some rebounds. It's going to be a dogfight!"

**In the first of these two games, you built a 16-point lead in the opening 16 minutes. Is that an extra motivation for this game?**

"Yeah, we did play well and, of course, they were kind of struggling with their shots in the first three quarters if I remember right. And in the last quarter, they just did what Valencia has been doing this season. I think we were great on defense from the beginning and were aggressive. We showed them all the time that we were ready and we want to really stop them, and we didn't give them anything easy. We were fighting for the rebounds and through that, everybody in our team got confidence. We were making shots and were up 16, but that told us about Valencia's level; they came back even when they didn't have their best game, they were still able to win. So yes, it's not going to be easy for sure, but we have confidence in our own game and I think we have a chance to win."

**Cluj is one of the fastest-rising clubs in Europe. After a decade in Spain, what do you like about the club, its organization and, of course, the fans?**

"Yes, we have great fans in here and when we play at home in the EuroCup, it is pretty much a full gym. They do a lot of spectacular things, like what they do with fireworks. It's been great. You can see that Cluj has been rising in the European basketball world. They have been doing a good job investing, putting good money and getting better players. And now, people want to come here, but it started from little steps. And then you start winning and right now, we have the chance to take another step. We have a very good chance to do that because last season it was the same; we made it to the quarterfinals and lost against the London Lions. We have a new chance this year and you never know. We never stop believing and I hope it is our turn now."

**Patrick Richard is back with the team. He hit a critical three-pointer in the second overtime period against Wolves. How important is the captain’s presence, on and off the court, for this team?**

"Well, Pat has been here for so long. He is the leader, of course. He is our captain and a guy who likes to talk, and he brings calmness to the team. And there's also his relationship with the coach – he understands him very well. I think it's easier when he is around and we have been much calmer, even though we were losing the last game \[against Wolves\] when Pat was there. He gave us leadership and that really has helped. It's great to have him back on the court and back healthy."

<center>
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<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**You played with DJ Seeley in that Gran Canaria team that made the 2016 semifinals. How cool is it to share a locker room again?**

"He is a funny guy and I have good memories with him in Gran Canaria. Of course, like I said, he is a great dude and is keeping the locker room much more chill. He is a very easy-going guy. It's crazy how the different paths come together again and now we play together in Cluj, so it's been fun."

**Cluj already made history but has a great opportunity to do even better. How exciting is that, and what would it mean for the club to beat Valencia?**

"I think it would be the biggest win in the club's history. I think everybody realizes what's on the table and what we can do. But still, like I said, we don't want to put pressure on us because the pressure is not on us. It's on Valencia. They play at home and were the guys waiting for a quarterfinal opponent. We have to enjoy the moment, enjoy the game that is coming and before that, prepare ourselves and be ready for a fight."

The Cluj guard is excited ahead of his team's quarterfinal matchup with the Spanish side

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

EuroLeague 25 Moments: Fenerbahce becoming champion in 2017

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

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

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

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

More Fenerbahce News

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

A big make-or-break showdown is expected at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, as Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem takes on Dreamland Gran Canaria. Both teams know what it takes to win the competition, with Jerusalem lifting the trophy in 2004 before Gran Canaria went all the way in 2023.

Jerusalem, Gran Canaria ready for major showdown

A big make-or-break showdown is expected at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, as [Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem/jer/) takes on [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/). Both teams know what it takes to win the competition, with Jerusalem lifting the trophy in 2004 before Gran Canaria went all the way in 2023.

This is a rematch of when both teams went to battle in the 2017 EuroCup Quarterfinals, back then played as a best-of-three playoff series. Jerusalem thrashed Gran Canaria 87-67 in Game 1 behind 20 points from Jerome Dyson and swept the series with a 79-85 victory at Gran Canaria Arena. Curtis Jerrells led Jerusalem with 23 points while Amar'e Stoudamire added 15. Their all-time record against one another in the competition is 2-2 as Gran Canaria beat Jerusalem twice in the 2016 Last 32 group stage.

Jerusalem won its last two regular-season games to seal a direct ticket to the quarterfinals. Since then, it lost center [Gabi Chachashvili](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/gabriel-chachashvili/013279/) to a season-ending ACL injury. On the other hand, big man [Austin Wiley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/austin-wiley/013278/) returned to action after missing 12 regular-season games and is ready to help [Derek Ogbeide](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/derek-ogbeide/013263/) under the boards. [Gran Canaria beat Umana Reyer Venice 84-80](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-outlasts-reyer-84-80/) in the eighthfinals to get to this point.

Gran Canaria's main concern should be stopping [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/), who is having a career-best season and threatening the competition's single-season scoring record. So far, Harper scored 386 points in 17 games (22.7 ppg.). Andrew Goudelock holds the record since the 2013-14 season, scoring 451 points while playing for UNICS Kazan. Added to his scoring abilities, Harper is averaging 5.7 assists and 7.7 fouls drawn. His 131 fouls drawn are already an all-time record in the competition.

Harper and [Khadeen Carrington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/khadeen-carrington/008912/) have been Jerusalem's go-to men in the backcourt all season long. Carrington averages 15.7 points this season but boosted his numbers to 18.2 points in his last five regular-season games. Harper will not have it easy against [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/), one of the best defensive point guards in EuroCup history. In fact, Albicy needs just seven steals to rank first in the all-time standings.

Albicy is one of seven Gran Canaria players that have lifted the EuroCup title in the past. The Frenchman and four of his current teammates lifted the trophy with Gran Canaria in 2021; the others were [John Shurna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/john-shurna/006588/), [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/), [Jovan Kljajic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jovan-kljajic/007560/) and [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/). [Mike Tobey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mike-tobey/008966/) became a EuroCup champion with Valencia Basket in 2019, and [Mehdy Ngouama](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mehdy-ngouama/009556/) helped Paris Basketball win the EuroCup championship last season.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The matchup you CANNOT miss 🔥<br><br>Both <a href="https://twitter.com/JerusalemBasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JerusalemBasket</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GranCanariaCB</a> are having a great season, which team will prevail and go the the semifinals? 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/00XKctgq68">pic.twitter.com/00XKctgq68</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1898455949511118894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Gran Canaria has been extremely solid in road games this season, being 6-3 away. This is its first playoff road game since the 2021 semifinal, when it registered an 82-77 loss against AS Monaco. Since then, Gran Canaria has played eight playoff games, all of them at Gran Canaria Arena. It is the club's first single-game elimination showdown on the road in club history, which is remarkable given that Gran Canaria leads the competition in most games played (266).

Jerusalem should try to impose its aggressive playing style. It leads the EuroCup in most free throws attempted per game (28.9), with Gran Canaria ranking last at 16.6 attempts per night. Gran Canaria has been able to limit fouls committed to just 19.5 per contest, so if it is able to prevent Jerusalem from going to the foul line very often, it has much better percentages from almost all distances (Gran Canaria 56.0% 2FG, 33.7% 3FG, 79.4% FT; Jerusalem 50.9% 2FG, 33.4% 3FG, 72.9% FT).

As you see, both teams can impose their respective strengths to win the game and advance to the best-of-three semifinals. As often happens in this kind of games, it will go down to who wants it more, so every 50-50 ball, rebound and small decision should have an impact in its final outcome. Expect nothing but a top-class basketball game played point to point, possession by possession on one of the most iconic basketball courts in Europe!

Both teams meet again in the EuroCup Quarterfinals eight years later

They say that the European basketball community is close-knit, but for Dejan Radonjic and Zvezdan Mitrovic, their bond goes beyond basketball.

Best friends come head to head when Bahcesehir, Cedevita face off in quarterfinal bout

They say that the European basketball community is close-knit, but for coaches [Dejan Radonjic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/radonjic-dejan/?season=U2024) and [Zvezdan Mitrovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/lju/mitrovic-zvezdan/?season=U2024), their bond goes beyond basketball.

For Mitrovic, it provided added motivation as his [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/lju/) team took on Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul in the last 16 of the BKT EuroCup Playoffs, too.

“My goal right now is to move to the next stage and play against my best man Dejan Radonjic in the quarterfinals,” Mitrovic told Eurohoops last week.

Yes, you read that correctly – Radonjic was the best man at Mitrovic’s wedding. So, with [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) set to take on Cedevita in the first game of the quarterfinals on Tuesday (18:00 CET), it adds even more intrigue to an already fascinating fixture.

Both Radonjic and Mitrovic hail from Podgorica, Montenegro, and were born 17 days apart in 1970. That their journeys would cross felt like destiny. They got into basketball as teenagers and were twice at the same club, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, with Mitrovic as an assistant coach and Radonjic as a player.

Since then, they have gone on to become two of the most prominent coaches in European basketball over the last decade. Radonjic is a five-time ABA League champion, all of which came with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, and he has also won domestic championships in Montenegro (seven times), Serbia (five) and Germany (two). Mitrovic’s crowning hour, meanwhile, came in 2021 when he led AS Monaco to the EuroCup title – something he is hoping to replicate this year with Cedevita.

Twice before, Radonjic and Mitrovic faced off as coaches in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. The first saw Radonjic earn bragging rights in some style as [his FC Bayern Munich squad defeated Mitrovic’s LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 104-63](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/eb-2019-20-game-report-bayern-asvel/) in October 2019. But upon Monaco’s promotion to the EuroLeague, Mitrovic avenged that loss to his best friend with [the principality side triumphing 70-62 over Crvena Zvezda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/eb046-diallo-helps-monaco/) in October 2021.

Now, for the first time, they will be on opposite benches in the EuroCup – and a spot in the semifinals is up for grabs. Bahcesehir made light work of the regular season, despite being in tough-looking Group A, by going 14-4 and securing the one seed, which gave the Turkish side a bye in the round of 16. Cedevita, however, had to do it the hard way.

Mitrovic has transformed a club that went 4-32 over the last two seasons – finishing bottom of their group each time – by leading the Slovenian team to a 10-8 record in Group B, good for fourth place. Cedevita then made its home-court advantage account by [defeating Besiktas 96-86](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-olimpija-downs-besiktas-96-86-to-reach-quarterfinals/), with star forward [Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/) leading the way by posting a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double.

Bahcesehir – competing in its first-ever playoff game in the EuroCup – comes into Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup as the favorite, in large part due to the depth and experience of its roster. [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/), [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) and [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/) all have at least three years of EuroLeague experience under their belts, while [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/), [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) and [CJ Massinburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/cj-massinburg/011821/) know what it takes to perform at the EuroCup level.

Bouteille, in particular, showed in his time with Turk Telekom Ankara that he can step up when the lights are the brightest, averaging 18.0 points in four playoff games as his team reached the 2023 EuroCup Final. And then there is [Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/furkan-korkmaz/005763/), Bahcesehir’s trump card. Despite having a slow start to life with Bahcesehir in the EuroCup, having joined mid-season after an injury-hit spell with EuroLeague force Monaco, Korkmaz has started to find his feet in the Turkish League and could be a decisive factor in the postseason.

Cedevita, on the other hand, leans heavily on the play of Robinson, but also [Brynton Lemar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brynton-lemar/013261/) (15.1 PPG). Playing in his first EuroCup season, Lemar provides added offensive punch and is coming off a 20-point night in the eighthfinals. That Cedevita has four other players averaging between 10.2 PPG and 9.5 PPG shows the variety of its offense as [DeVante Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devante-jones/013260/) (10.2 PPG), [Aleksej Nikolic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/aleksej-nikolic/003703/) (9.9 PPG) and [DJ Stewart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dj-stewart/012700/) (9.5 PPG) are all capable of coming up with big plays. [Jaka Blazic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaka-blazic/003452/) (9.5 PPG), however, will miss out due to a wrist injury.

If Korkmaz is Bahcesehir’s trump card, Cedevita’s surprise player could be [Joan Beringer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joan-beringer/012996/). The 18-year-old Frenchman’s season averages of 4.9 points and 5.5 rebounds are impressive given his age, but he showed against Besiktas that his offensive game is evolving at rapid speed by pouring in 12 points. Don’t be surprised if Beringer ends up causing some headaches for Odiase and [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) in the Bahcesehir paint.

Everything is set for a mouth-watering game between these two sides. Will Bahcesehir take another step towards achieving its dream of reaching the EuroLeague for the first time or will Cedevita secure its first appearance in the EuroCup Semifinals since the Cedevita-Olimpija merger? Tune in on Tuesday evening to find out.

The two teams’ head coaches share a special bond

Best friends come head to head when Bahcesehir, Cedevita face off

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

Fantasy tips, Round 29: An array of enticing options

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

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

These are my five recommendations this week. 

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

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

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

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

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_0z26Ns7zE/?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/C_0z26Ns7zE/?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/C_0z26Ns7zE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Melvin Ajinça (@melvinajc)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Juancho Hernangomez, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (14.1 credits) 

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

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

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

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGq3qP0ClrP/?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/DGq3qP0ClrP/?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/DGq3qP0ClrP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Vincent Poirier (@viinze_17p)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Yanni Wetzell, ALBA Berlin (9.9 credits) 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Barca roared back to winning ways last week with a strong fourth quarter at ALBA, where [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) again showed he is the *Blaugrana*'s backcourt leader by dishing a career-high 12 assists. His defense will also be important against Partizan playmaker [Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/), who again shone with 17 points in defeat at Olympiacos last time out. In the paint, former Barcelona big man [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/) has averaged 12.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in the last three games and will attempt to exploit the ongoing absence of [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) to give his team control of the frontcourt. But [Chimezie Metu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chimezie-metu/013379/) is in great form with double-digit scoring in seven consecutive games, and he will also be a major factor in this playoff-flavored battle.

### FC Barcelona

 

**Streaks**

Jabari Parker has made at least 1 three-point shot in nine of his last 10 games.

Kevin Punter has made at least 1 three-point shot in 16 straight and 25 of his last 26 games.

Punter has scored in double figures in 12 of his last 13 games.

Jan Vesely has at least 1 steal in four of his last five games.

Nico Laprovittola has made at least 1 three-point shot in 19 straight games.

Chimezie Metu has scored 10 or more points in 10 of his last 11 games.

Dario Brizuela has made at least 1 three-pointer in 14 of his last 15 games.

Brizuela has scored in double figures in nine consecutive games.

 

**Season rankings**

Kevin Punter ranks ninth in scoring with 16.5 points per game.

Punter ranks fifth in steals with 1.2 per game.

Jan Vesely is tied for seventh in steals with 1.1 per game.

Punter ranks ninth in free-throw shooting at 92.0% per game.

Tomas Satoransky ranks seventh in assists with 5.4 per game.

Youssoupha Fall ranks sixth in two-point shooting at 70.2% per game.

Dario Brizuela ranks seventh in three-point shooting at 46.0% per game.

Barcelona ranks second in assists with 20.5 per game.

Barcelona is the league co-leader in steals with 7.4 per game.

Barcelona ranks second in scoring with 87.6 points per game.

Barcelona ranks third in three-point accuracy at 38.8%.

Barcelona's defense has allowed 33.6% three-point shooting, the second-fewest in the league.

 

**Records/Milestones**

 

Tomas Satoransky ranks second all-time with a 2.9-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

Jan Vesely is the all-time leader in two-pointers made with 1,564.

Vesely ranks third all-time with 5,099 index rating points. Mike James of AS Monaco is second with 5,180. Nando De Colo of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is the all-time leader with 5,385 and counting.

Vesely is sixth all-time with 4,028 points scored. Sergio Llull of Real Madrid is fifth with 4,132 and counting.

Vesely ranks fourth all-time with 365 steals. Rudy Fernandez is third with 367 steals.

Vesely ranks fifth all-time with 1,774 rebounds. Felipe Reyes is fourth with 1,799 and Walter Tavares of Real Madrid is third with 1,814.

Vesely is in fifth place all-time with 656 offensive rebounds. Bryant Dunston of Zalgiris Kaunas is fourth with 662 and counting.

Vesely ranks eighth all-time with 216 blocks. Tibor Pleiss of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens is seventh with 228 and counting.

Vesely ranks eighth all-time with 789 free throws made. Juan Carlos Navarro is seventh with 853.

Kevin Punter ranks 11th all-time in free-throw accuracy at 89.9%.

Youssoupha Fall ranks 13th all-time in two-point accuracy at 65.0%.

Nico Laprovittola needs 3 three-point shots made to reach 300 for his career.

Game Videos

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

 

**Streaks**

Sterling Brown has made at least 1 three-point shot in 15 of his last 16 games.

Tyrique Jones has had at least 1 steal in nine of his last 10 games.

Tyrique Jones has pulled down at least 5 rebounds in six of his last seven games.

Tyrique Jones has PIRs of 10 or more in seven of his last eight games.

Tyrique Jones has at least 1 block in seven of his last eight games.

Carlik Jones has PIRs of 13 or more in seven of his last eight games.

Isaac Bonga has made at least 1 three-pointer and a PIR of 10 or more in four straight games.

Brandon Davies has made at least 1 three-point shot in nine of his last 10 games.

Davies has PIRs of 12 or more in five of his last six games.

Iffe Lundberg has made at least 1 three-point shot in 10 of his last 11 games.

 

**Season rankings**

Tyrique Jones ranks 10th in rebounding with 6.1 per game.

Tyrique Jones is tied for fifth in offensive rebounding with 2.6 per game.

Tyrique Jones is tied for seventh in steals with 1.1 per game.

Carlik Jones ranks ninth in assists with 5.0 per game.

Aleksej Pokusevski ranks sixth in blocks with 1.1 per game.

Sterling Brown ranks eighth in free-throw shooting at 92.7% per game.

Brandon Davies ranks fourth in three-point shooting at 50.0% per game.

Brown ranks sixth in three-point shooting at 47.2% per game.

Vanja Marinkovic ranks 10th in three-point shooting at 45.1% per game.

Partizan has committed the third-fewest turnovers with 10.9 per game.

Partizan is the league co-leader in steals with 7.4 per game.

Partizan ranks second in blocks with 3.0 per game.

Partizan's defense has allowed 79.3 points per game, the second-fewest in the league.

Partizan has forced 13.2 turnovers, the second-most in the league.

 

**Records/Milestones**

Iffe Lundberg needs 1 steal to reach 100 for his career.

Isaac Bonga's next assist will be the 100th of his career.

Brandon Davies needs 20 more two-point baskets to reach 1,000 for his career.

The round concludes with another crunch clash between direct rivals as Barcelona (15-13) welcomes Partizan (15-13) to break their current tie for eighth place. 

Game Facts: Barcelona vs. Partizan

\- Barcelona has won 10 straight games against Partizan. Partizan last beat Barcelona in February 2010.

\- This is a rivalry that dates back to 1982 and the only win for Partizan in Barcelona came in 1987.

\- Barcelona guard Kevin Punter spent the last three seasons with Partizan and became only the second foreign team captain in club history. While there, he was voted to the 2021-22 All-EuroCup team and the 2022-23 All-EuroLeague team. He led Partizan to the 2023 EuroLeague Playoffs and the 2023 ABA League championship. In all three seasons, he played under Coach Zeljko Obraovic and was a teammate of center Balsa Koprivica.

\- Barcelona center Jan Vesely made his EuroLeague debut with Partizan, spent three seasons there and helped the team reach the 2010 EuroLeague Final Four.

\- Barcelona's Vesely played under Zeljko Obradovic at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul for six seasons, from 2014 to 2020. They won the 2017 EuroLeague together.

\- Partizan center Brandon Davies spent three seasons with Barcelona, from 2019 to 2022. He helped Barcelona reach a pair of EuroLeague Final Fours.

\- Davies and Barcelona's Justin Anderson were teammates at Valencia Basket last season.

\- Partizan guard Vanja Marinkovic played under Barcelona head coach Joan Penarroya at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz during the 2022-23 season and the start of the 2023-24 campaign.

\- Aleksej Pokusevski posted his career high in PIR with 15 in a Round 9 home loss against Barcelona.

\- Partizan guard Iffe Lundberg had a career-high 5 steals playing for Virtus Segafredo Bologna against Barcelona in January 2023.

Game Notes: Barcelona vs. Partizan

The home team is still very much fighting for a top four finish and will be led by the red-hot [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/), who remains a leading candidate for the Top Scorer Trophy after blazing 29 and 30 points in the last two games. Efes showed its offensive capacity by blitzing 50 second-half points to overcome Virtus last week, as [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) demonstrated his power in the paint with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Efes has not won on the road since November, and will need [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) to unleash his full scoring power to keep track with a Bayern team boasting the joint best home record (12-2) in the competition.

### FC Bayern Munich

 

**Streaks**

Devin Booker has scored in double figures in seven of his last eight games.

Carsen Edwards has made at least 1 three-pointer in eight straight games.

Edwards has scored 12 or more points in seven of his last eight games.

Nick Weiler-Babb has at least 1 steal in six straight and 12 of his last 13 games.

Vladimir Lucic has PIRs of 12 or more in seven of his last eight games.

Shabazz Napier has made 26 consecutive free throws.

Andreas Obst has made at least 1 three-point shot in 20 of his last 21 games; Obst has made multiple triples in seven straight games.

Johannes Voigtmann has made at least 1 three-pointer in nine of his last 10 games.

 

**Season rankings**

Carsen Edwards ranks third in scoring with 19.9 points per game.

Nick Weiler-Babb leads the league in steals with 1.7 per game.

Shabazz Napier ranks fourth in steals with 1.2 per game.

Weiler-Babb ranks sixth in assists with 5.4 per game.

Napier leads the league in free-throw shooting at 96.5% per game.

Andreas Obst is the league co-leader in three-pointers made with 3.0 per game.

Carsen Edwards ranks fourth in three-pointers made with 2.6 per game.

Niels Giffey leads the league in three-point shooting at 55.9% per game.

Bayern ranks first in free-throw shooting at 83.1%.

 

**Records/Milestones**

Carsen Edwards ranks ninth all-time in free-throw accuracy at 90.2%.

Johannes Voigtmann is ranked 14th all-time with 1,401 rebounds. Kostas Papanikolaou of Olympiacos is 13th with 1,404 and counting.

Voigtmann is in 10th place all-time in defensive rebounds with 1,043. Georgios Printezis is ninth with 1,065 defensive rebounds.

Nick Weiler-Babb ranks 12th all-time with a 2.6-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul

 

**Streaks**

Shane Larkin has PIRs of 12 or more in seven of his last eight games.

Larkin has made at least 1 three-point shot in 10 straight games.

Elijah Bryant has scored 12 or more points in 10 of his last 11 games.

Vincent Poirier has PIRs of 10 or more in 10 of his last 11 games.

Darius Thompson has made at least 1 three-pointer in eight of his last nine games.

Rolands Smits has made 15 straight free throws.

 

**Season rankings**

Vincent Poirier ranks fourth in blocks with 1.1 per game.

Dan Oturu ranks fifth in two-point shooting at 71.1% per game.

Oturu ranks eighth in offensive rebounding with 2.0 per game.

Ercan Osmani ranks sixth in free-throw shooting at 93.5% per game.

Rodrigue Beaubois ranks eighth in three-point shooting at 45.4% per game.

Efes leads the league in blocks with 3.7 per game.

Efes is third in the league in two-point accuracy at 58.3%.

 

**Records/Milestones**

Shane Larkin is ranked 11th all-time in scoring with 3,486 points. Georgios Printezis is 10th with 3,599 points.

Larkin is in eighth place all-time in three-pointers made with 537. Monaco's Mike James is seventh with 583 and counting.

Larkin is tied with Tornike Shengelia of Virtus Segafredo Bologna for ninth place all-time with 767 free throws made. Jan Vesely of FC Barcelona is eighth with 789 and counting.

Rodrigue Beaubois is in 11th place all-time in three-pointers made with 501. Nando De Colo of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is 10th with 502 three-pointers made and counting.

Beaubois is in 19th place in career scoring with 3,056 points. Scottie Wilbekin of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is 18th with 3,179 points.

Vincent Poirier ranks ninth all-time in blocks with 205. Jan Vesely of FC Barcelona is eighth all-time with 216 and counting.

Poirier is tied with James Gist in 11th place all-time with 452 offensive rebounds. Tibor Pleiss of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens is 10th with 470 offensive rebounds and counting.

Offensive fireworks are guaranteed as Bayern (17-11) host Efes (14-14) for a showdown loaded with significance in the playoffs race. 

Game Facts: Bayern vs. Efes

\- In Efes's 109-86 home win last March, Shane Larkin scored 28 points and had a PIR of 33 PIR to earn his record 17th MVP of the Round honor.

\- Efes set a club record with 10 blocks in a road loss against Bayern in December of last season.

\- The Round 11 game in 2019 between these two teams will be marked in the EuroLeague history books for the performance of Shane Larkin who set a club record with a career-high 49 points and tied the club and his personal mark for three-pointers by making 10. He also set a club record and a career-high with a PIR of 53 in that game, earning MVP of the Round honors.

\- Bayern forward Onuralp Bitim grew up with Efes and spent three seasons there, making his professional and EuroLeague debut with the club.

\- Efes center Vincent Poirier was a teammate of Bayern's Johannes Voigtmann at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz for two seasons, from 2017 to 2019.

\- Voigtmann was a teammate at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz of Efes's Rodrigue Beaubois, from 2016 to 2018, and of Shane Larkin, during the 2016-17 season.

\- Bayern's Andreas Obst and Efes forward Derek Willis were teammates at ratiopharm Ulm during the 2019-20 season.

\- Efes guard Elijah Bryant collected a career-high 4 steals in Efes's 101-90 win over Bayern in Round 13.

\- Bayern big man Devin Booker posted career highs in points (27) and two-pointers (12) and tied his career-best in assists (5) in Round 13 against Efes.

\- Bayern guard Nick Weiler-Babb tied his career high with 5 three-pointers in Round 13 against Efes.

\- Efes center Dan Oturu had career highs in blocks (5) and PIR (30) in a road loss in Munich last season.

\- Efes center Vincent Poirier posted his career-high with 24 points playing for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz against Bayern in October 2018.

\- Bayern's Vladimir Lucic made a career-high 5 three-pointers at Efes last season.

Game Notes: Bayern vs. Efes

As another exciting BKT EuroCup season enters the final stretch, it is time to consider which stars are most deserving of end-of-season honors. And the fans will of course have their voices heard!

Vote for your 2024-25 All-EuroCup Team!

As another exciting BKT EuroCup season enters the final stretch, it is time to consider which stars are most deserving of end-of-season honors. And the fans will of course have their voices heard!

The voting for the All-EuroCup Team will be open from Monday, March 10 and will run through Thursday, April 3, the day after the semifinals conclude.

This season the votes of head coaches and team captains will each account for 35 percent of the total, while media members will make up another 20% and the fan vote will be worth 10%. Upon completion of all voting, the player with the most votes will become this season's BKT EuroCup MVP. He and the next four top vote-getters will comprise the All-EuroCup First Team and the next five will make up the All-EuroCup Second Team.

To make sure your vote is counted, go to <https://alleurocupteam.eurocupbasketball.com> to register your vote for the most deserving players from the 2024-25 season! Please base your selections on each player's performances for the entirety of the EuroCup Regular Season and knock-out phases.

The player with the most votes will become this season's EuroCup MVP

Two of the leading season MVP candidates are sure to play a key role as Reds ace [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) attempts to outperform visiting shooting star [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/). The paint will be a key battleground as Olympiacos big man [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) looks to continue his hot streak against an injury-hit Greens frontline, which would welcome a big performance from recent signing [Tibor Pleiss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tibor-pleiss/lhk/). On the wings, a three-point shootout will be staged between in-form [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) and [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/), who is aiming to repeat the heroics which saw him score 22 points in the Reds' road win in Athens in Round 8.

### Olympiacos Piraeus

**Streaks**

 

Sasha Vezenkov has scored in double figures and posted double-digit PIRs in 29 straight games.

Vezenkov has made at least 1 three-pointer in 14 straight and 23 of his last 24 games.

Vezenkov has posted a PIR of 14 or more in 25 straight games.

Vezenkov has made 15 consecutive free throws.

Evan Fournier has made multiple three-point shots in 11 of his last 12 games.

Fournier has made at least 1 three-point shot in 21 of his last 22 games.

Fournier has scored in double figures in 11 of his last 12 games.

Luca Vildoza has made at least 1 three-point shot in eight of his last nine games.

Keenan Evans has scored at least 10 points in 10 straight and 21 of his last 22 games.

Evans has posted a double-digit PIR in nine of his last 10 games.

Evans has made at least 1 three-pointer in 17 straight games.

Evans has made 21 consecutive free throws.

 

**Season rankings**

Sasha Vezenkov leads the league in average index rating with 24.5 per game.

Vezenkov ranks second in scoring with 20.1 points per game.

Evan Fournier ranks 10th in scoring with 16.3 points per game.

Vezenkov ranks seventh in rebounding with 6.3 per game.

Nikola Milutinov ranks ninth in rebounding with 6.1 per game.

Fournier ranks third in three-pointers made with 2.7 per game.

Milutinov ranks third in offensive rebounding with 2.8 per game.

Moustapha Fall leads the league in two-point shooting at 78.4% per game.

Peters ranks second in three-point shooting at 52.3% per game.

Alec Peters ranks 10th in free-throw shooting at 91.9% per game.

Olympiacos leads the league in scoring with 87.8 points per game.

Olympiacos leads the league in assists with 21.1 per game.

Olympiacos leads the league in team PIR with 104.2 per game.

 

**Records/Milestones**

Kostas Papanikolaou is the all-time leader in games started with 328.

Papanikolaou is in seventh place all-time in steals with 323. Theo Papaloukas is sixth with 335.

Moustapha Fall ranks second all-time in two-point accuracy at 73.4%.

Thomas Walkup ranks 18th all-time with a 2.5-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

Walkup is ranked 14th all-time in assists with 996. Facundo Campazzo of Real Madrid is 13th with 1,071 assists and counting.

Alec Peters ranks 12th all-time in free-throw shooting accuracy at 89.7%.

Peters ranks fourth all-time in three-point accuracy at 46.2%.

Nikola Milutinov is ranked sixth all-time in offensive rebounds with 638. Jan Vesely of FC Barcelona is fifth with 656, and Bryant Dunston of Zalgiris Kaunas is fourth with 662 and counting.

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

 

**Streaks**

Kendrick Nunn has made at least 1 three-point shot in 33 straight games.

Nunn has scored 17 or more points in six straight games.

Juancho Hernangomez has PIRs of 12 or more in 10 straight games.

Hernangomez has pulled down 6 or more rebounds in 10 straight games.

Kostas Sloukas has scored in double figures in each of his last six games.

Sloukas has at least 1 steal in seven of his last eight games.

Sloukas has made multiple three-point shots in five of his last six games.

Sloukas has posted PIRs in double figures in seven straight games.

Mathias Lessort has pulled down at least 5 rebounds in 11 straight and 23 of his last 24 games.

Lessort has PIRs of 10 or more in 25 of his last 26 games.

Omer Yurtseven has scored in double figures in four straight games.

 

**Season rankings**

Kendrick Nunn leads the league in scoring with 20.6 points per game.

Nunn is the league co-leader in three-pointers made with 3.0 per game.

Mathias Lessort ranks fourth in average index rating with 20.5 per game.

Nunn ranks ninth in average index rating with 18.8 per game.

Lessort ranks third in rebounding with 7.1 per game.

Juancho Hernangomez ranks sixth in rebounding with 6.4 per game.

Lessort ranks fourth in offensive rebounding with 2.8 per game.

Mathias Lessort ranks third in two-point shooting at 74.1% per game.

Nunn ranks 10th in steals with 1.1 per game.

Hernangomez ranks ninth in three-point shooting at 45.2% per game.

Kostas Sloukas ranks eighth in assists with 5.1 per game.

Sloukas ranks seventh in free-throw shooting at 93.0% per game.

Wenyen Gabriel ranks seventh in blocks with 1.1 per game.

Panathinaikos ranks second in the league in average PIR with 103.6 per game.

Panathinaikos ranks third in scoring with 87.3 points per game.

Panathinaikos ranks second in two-point shooting at 58.6%.

Panathinaikos ranks second in three-point shooting at 39.1%.

Panathinaikos ranks second in defensive rebounding with 24.3 per game.

Panathinaikos has made a league-low 72.9% of its free throws.

Panathinaikos has allowed 9.5 offensive rebounds per game, the third-lowest this season.

 

**Records/Milestones**

Kostas Sloukas is in third place all-time with 414 games played.

Sloukas ranks third all-time with 1,837 assists. Sergio Rodriguez is second with 1,874.

Sloukas is in fourth place all-time with 974 free throws made. Mike James of AS Monaco is third with 1,106.

Sloukas is eighth all-time with 3,950 career points. Nikola Mirotic of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan is seventh with 3,973 and counting.

Sloukas is ranked fourth all-time with 4,940 index rating points. Jan Vesely of FC Barcelona is third with 5,099 and counting.

Sloukas is 12th all-time with 500 three-point shots made. Rodrigue Beaubois of Anadolu Efes Istanbul is 11th with 501 and Nando De Colo of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is 10th with 502 three-pointers made.

Marius Grigonis ranks seventh all-time in free-throw accuracy at 90.6%.

Sloukas ranks 16th all-time in free-throw accuracy at 88.9%.

Sloukas is in 20th place on the all-time charts with 260 career steals. Gianluca Basile is 19th with 261 steals and Daniel Hackett is 18th with 262 steals and counting.

Tibor Pleiss is ranked seventh all-time with 228 career blocks. Alex Tyus is sixth with 238.

Pleiss is tied with Nick Calathes of AS Monaco for 10th place with 1,008 two-pointers made. Paulius Jankunas is ninth with 1,011.

Pleiss is ranked 15th all-time with 1,397 rebounds. Johannes Voigtmann of FC Bayern Munich is 14th with 1,401, and Kostas Papanikolaou of Olympiacos is 13th with 1,404 and counting.

Grigonis needs 4 steals to reach 100 for his career.

Jerian Grant is the all-time leader with a 3.1-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

One of the highlights of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season will see first placed Olympiacos (21-7) host in-form reigning champ Panathinaikos (18-10) in the always-electric Greek derby. 

Game Facts: Olympiacos vs. Panathinaikos

\- Olympiacos held off Panathinaikos 89-94 in Round 8 for its seventh straight win in EuroLeague games against the Greens.

\- So far this season, these two archrivals have met four times outside the EuroLeague. Panathinaikos beat Olympiacos in the Greek Cup finals in February and the Greens swept Olympiacos in the two Greek League games. Meanwhile, Olympiacos beat Panathinaikos in the Greek SuperCup in September.

\- In Olympiacos's 78-88 overtime road win over Panathinaikos in Round 1 last season, Alec Peters earned MVP of the Round honors with a career-high PIR of 31. He also had a career-best 4 steals in that game.

\- In Olympiacos's 81-73 home win over Panathinaikos in March 2023, Thomas Walkup had career-highs in PIR (32) and assists (13), along with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Walkup earned MVP of the Round honors for that performance.

\- Olympiacos has won the last five times it visited Panathinaikos in EuroLeague games. Meanwhile, the last time Panathinaikos won in Piraeus was in February 2021.

\- Panathinaikos and Olympiacos met in the 1994 EuroLeague semifinals in Tel Aviv, Israel, which was their first showdown in European competition. The Reds won 77-72 behind Zarko Paspalj's 22 points.

\- Panathinaikos and Olympiacos returned to the Final Four in 1995 and squared off in the semifinals in Zaragoza, Spain. Olympiacos prevailed again, defeating Panathinaikos 52-58 behind 27 points from Eddie Johnson.

\- Olympiacos swept Panathinaikos in the 1997 EuroLeague Playoffs best-of-three series and went on to win the EuroLeague title.

\- Panathinaikos and Olympiacos played each other in the 2009 EuroLeague semifinal in Berlin, Germany. In a game that came down to the final shot, Panathinaikos edged Olympiacos 82-84 behind 20 points from Nikola Pekovic.

\- Tyrese Rice set a Panathinaikos record with 41 points when the Greens beat Olympiacos in overtime 99-93 at home in December 2019.

\- Panathinaikos guard Kostas Sloukas arrived from archrival Olympiacos in the summer of 2023 after spending three years with the Reds, during which he helped the team to back-to-back Final Four appearances, including the 2023 championship game. That was his second stint with Olympiacos. During the first, Sloukas helped Olympiacos win EuroLeague crowns in 2012 and 2013. Sloukas spent five seasons in Piraeus during his first stint with the club, with which he made his debut as a teenager in 2009. He won those titles with one current Olympiacos player: Kostas Papanikolaou.

\- Panathinaikos forward Ioannis Papapetrou spent five seasons with Olympiacos, his first professional team, from 2013 to 2018. He played in 114 EuroLeague games for the Reds and reached the EuroLeague championship game in 2015 and 2017. He was a teammate of Kostas Papanikolaou and also played under Olympiacos head coach Georgios Bartzokas for one season.

\- Olympiacos's Kostas Papanikolaou, Thomas Walkup and Giannoulis Larentzakis have been teammates of the Panathinaikos trio of Ioannis Papapetrou, Konstantinos Mitoglou and Dimitris Moraitis on the Greek national team.

\- Sloukas and Panagiotis Kalaitzakis have also been teammates on the Greek national team of Papanikolaou and Larentzakis.

\- Walkup and Panathinaikos guard Marius Grigonis were backcourt mates at Zalgiris Kaunas for three seasons, from 2018 to 2021.

\- Olympiacos center Nikola Milutinov and Grigonis were teammates at CSKA Moscow during the 2021- 2022 season.

\- Olympiacos forward Sasha Vezenkov was a teammate of Panathinaikos big man Konstantinos Mitoglou at Aris Thessaloniki during the 2013-14 season.

\- Olympiacos forward Alec Peters played under current Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman at Anadolu Efes Istanbul during the 2019-20 season.

\- Luca Vildoza played for Panathinaikos last season and helped it win the 2024 EuroLeague crown.

\- Vildoza made a career-high 5 three-pointers while playing for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz against Panathinaikos in November 2020.

\- Olympiacos guard Evan Fournier and Panathinaikos center Mathias Lessort have been teammates on the French national team; they won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics together.

\- Olympiacos center Moustapha Fall has also been a teammate of Panathinaikos center Mathias Lessort on the French national team.

\- Panathinaikos center Kostas Antetokounmpo and Olympiacos guard Tyler Dorsey were teammates at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul during the 2022-23 season.

\- Sloukas had a career-high 4 steals playing for Fenerbahce against Olympiacos in January 2020.

\- Panathinaikos forward Konstantinos Mitoglou tied his career-high with 16 rebounds and set his career-high with 14 defensive rebounds in a loss against Olympiacos last season in Piraeus.

\- Olympiacos guard Thomas Walkup made a career-best 5 three-pointers in a 78-88 overtime win over Panathinaikos last season in Athens.

\- Panathinaikos forward Juancho Hernangomez posted a career-high PIR of 25 in his EuroLeague debut against Olympiacos last season.

\- Olympiacos guard Keenan Evans earned MVP of the Round honors playing for Zalgiris Kaunas against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens last February.  He finished the game with 24 points on 5-of-6 two-pointers, 4-of-5 three-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws. Evans added 3 rebounds, 5 assists, a career-high 5 steals to amass a PIR of 35.

\- Panathinaikos point guard Lorenzo Brown made a career-high 11 two-pointers for Crvena Zvezda Belgrade against Olympiacos in December 2019.

\- Panathinaikos forward Cedi Osman had his career-highs in PIR (24) and points (22), playing for Anadolu Efes Istanbul against Olympiacos in October 2016.

\- Nikola Milutinov had 18 points, 18 rebounds and a career-high PIR of 41 to earn weekly MVP honors in a 79-65 win over Panathinaikos in January 2019.

\- Olympiacos guard Tyler Dorsey posted his career-highs in assists (7) and steals (4) playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv against Panathinaikos in December 2019.

\- Olympiacos guard Shaquielle McKissic had a career-best 6 assists in a win over Panathinaikos in March 2022.

Game Notes: Olympiacos vs. Panathinaikos

The Italian team is in freefall with six consecutive losses, while Chus Mateo's men have dropped four straight on the road. Real will hope playmaker [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) can recover his form after being held to a season-low 4 points in last week's loss at Panathinaikos, which also saw [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) make it seven straight games with at least 15 points. Virtus is struggling defensively, allowing an average of 87.7 points during its losing streak, but can still rely on evergreen power forward [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) who has averaged 26.3 PIR over the last three games.

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna

 

**Streaks**

Matt Morgan has made 15 consecutive free throws.

Isaia Cordinier has scored 12 or more points and accumulated PIRs of 14 or more in four of his last five games.

Toko Shengelia has pulled down 5 or more rebounds in 14 of his last 15 games.

Shengelia has scored 12 points or more in nine straight games.

Shengelia has PIRs of 12 or more in nine straight games.

Will Clyburn has posted a PIR of at least 10 in 11 of his last 12 games.

Clyburn has made at least 1 three-point shot in seven of his last eight games.

Clyburn has at least 1 steal in seven of his last eight games.

 

**Season rankings**

Tornike Shengelia ranks seventh in scoring with 16.5 points per game.

Shengelia ranks 10th in average index rating with 18.1 per game.

Virtus pulls down a league-low 31.8 rebounds.

 

**Records/Milestones**

 

Ante Zizic ranks 16th all-time in two-point accuracy at 64.4%.

Toko Shengelia ranks 12th all-time in scoring with 3,433 points. Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul is 11th with 3,486 and counting.

Will Clyburn is in 16th place all-time in scoring with 3,279 points. Nick Calathes of AS Monaco is 15th with 3,280 points and counting and Kyle Hines is 14th with 3,339.

Shengelia is tied with Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul in ninth place all-time with 767 free throws made. Jan Vesely of FC Barcelona is eighth with 789 and counting.

Daniel Hackett ranks 16th all-time in assists with 952. Theo Papaloukas ranks 15th with 977 assists.

Hackett is in 18th place on the all-time charts with 262 career steals. Larkin is 17th with 271 steals and counting.

Achille Polonara needs 4 blocks to reach 100 for his career.

Alessandro Pajola ranks fourth all-time with a 2.9-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

### Real Madrid

 

**Streaks**

Mario Hezonja has made at least 1 triple in 36 of his last 37 games.

Hezonja has scored more than 10 points in 13 straight and 21 of his last 22 games.

Hezonja has PIRs of 13 or more in 13 straight games.

Walter Tavares has at least 1 block in five of his last six games.

Tavares had PIRs of 11 or more in six of his last seven games.

 

**Season rankings**

Facundo Campazzo ranks eighth in average index rating with 19.5 per game.

Campazzo ranks third in assists with 6.7 per game.

Walter Tavares leads the league in blocks with 1.4 per game.

Tavares ranks second in rebounding with 7.1 per game.

Tavares ranks sixth in offensive rebounding with 2.6 per game.

Tavares ranks second in two-point shooting at 74.6%.

Serge Ibaka ranks seventh in two-point shooting at 70.2%.

Real leads the league in rebounding with 36.6 per game.

Real leads the league in defensive rebounding with 26.4 per game.

Real leads the league in two-point accuracy at 59.9%.

Real has held opponents to a league-low 51.6% two-point shooting.

 

**Records/Milestones**

Walter Tavares blocked 88 shots in the 2022-23 season to set the all-time single-season record.

Tavares is the competition's all-time leader in blocks with 463.

Tavares is in fourth place all-time in two-point accuracy at 68.5%.

Tavares ranks third all-time with 1,814 rebounds. Kyle Hines is second with 1,855 rebounds.

Tavares ranks third all-time with 682 offensive rebounds. Felipe Reyes is second with 705.

Tavares needs 8 more two-point baskets to reach 1,000 for his career.

Sergio Llull is the all-time leader with 435 EuroLeague appearances.

Llull is the all-time leader in three-point shots made with 671.

Llull ranks fifth all-time in scoring with 4,132 points. Juan Carlos Navarro is fourth with 4,152.

Llull is sixth all-time with 1,447 assists. Milos Teodosic of Crvena Zvezda is fifth with 1,477 and counting.

Facundo Campazzo is in 13th place all-time with 1,071 assists. Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul is 12th with 1,088 and counting.

Llull ranks 12th all-time with 727 free throws made. Paulius Jankunas is 11th with 748.

Llull ranks fifth all-time with a 2.7-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

Facundo Campazzo ranks 11th all-time with a 2.6-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.

Dzanan Musa made 178 free throws during the 2022-23 season to set the single-season EuroLeague record.

Road strugglers Real (14-14) will look to climb back into the all-important top ten by handing another loss to Virtus (7-21). 

Game Facts: Virtus vs. Madrid

\- These two clubs first met in 1979.

\- In Real's 98-86 win over Virtus in Round 9, Xavier Rathan-Mayes posted his personal bests in PIR (17) and points (17).

\- When Real beat Virtus 100-74 last season in Madrid, Facundo Campazzo tallied 18 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 39 to earn MVP of the Round honors.

\- When Real beat Virtus 79-96 in Bologna in March 2023, Mario Hezonja set a Real club record with a career-high 8 three-point shots made.

\- Virtus beat Real 79-74 to win the Cup Winners Cup in 1990. It was Virtus's first title in pan-European competitions.

\- Real's Mario Hezonja and Virtus center Ante Zizic have been teammates on the Croatian national team.

\- Last season Real center Serge Ibaka had a career game playing for FC Bayern Munich in a 90-76 win over Virtus, as he set personal bests with 24 points, 9 two-pointers made, 13 rebounds – including 6 offensive rebounds – and a PIR of 34. He earned MVP of the Round honors for that performance.

\- Ibaka had a career-high 13 rebounds, including a career-best 11 defensive rebounds, when Bayern and Virtus met in Bologna last season, too.

\- Virtus big man Ante Zizic tied his career best with 3 blocks playing for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv against Real in December 2021.

\- Real forward Gabriel Deck posted career highs in scoring (28) and PIR (33) in a 91-95 home loss against Virtus in October 2022.

\- Virtus sharpshooter Marco Belinelli set his career high in PIR with 28 in a 79-96 home loss against Real in March 2023.

\- Virtus forward Will Clyburn posted his career high with 13 rebounds playing for CSKA Moscow against Real in December 2021.