Name: Harper to Chachashvili alley-oop! Magic Moment
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Harper tosses it up and ChaChashvili comes down with a big alley-oop dunk.

Harper to Chachashvili alley-oop! Magic Moment

Harper tosses it up and ChaChashvili comes down with a big alley-oop dunk. 

Turk Telekom Ankara v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2024-11-28T18:30:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul-Joventut Badalona| Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup   

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Joventut Badalona (2024-11-28T16:00:00.000Z)

Jordan Usher gets the steal and finds Jean-Marc Pansa for a huge dunk!

Pansa throws it down! Magic Moment

 Jordan Usher gets the steal and finds Jean-Marc Pansa for a huge dunk!

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v Valencia Basket (2024-11-28T18:30:00.000Z)

Karel Guzman begins the fourth quarter with a wicked throwdown

Karel Guzman throws it down! Magic Moment

 Karel Guzman begins the fourth quarter with a wicked throwdown

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2024-11-28T17:00:00.000Z)

Landers Nolley leaves the pass for James Banks who rocks the rim with both hands

 Banks bangs one home! Magic Moment 

Landers Nolley leaves the pass for James Banks who rocks the rim with both hands 

Bahcesehir College Istanbul defeated Joventut Badalona 89-78 to notch its sixth straight win in the EuroCup.

Bahcesehir downs Joventut, 89-78, for sixth straight victory 

Bahcesehir College Istanbul confirmed its spot atop Group A at the halfway point of the regular season after beating Joventut Badalona 89-78 at home for a sixth straight victory. Coming off the national team break, the Turkish side did not look rusty at all in improving to 8-1. 

Jaleen Smith scored 17 points to pace four Bahcesehir players in double figures including Sehmus Hazer with 15, Axel Bouteille 13 and Marko Simonovic had 11 points. Four more players had at least seven points. Joventut has now lost five of its last six games for a 3-6 record. Sam Dekker led the Spanish side with 22 points, Ante Tomic scored 18 points, Artem Pustovyi chipped in 17 points. Devon Dotson was held to 5 points, 10.1 below his average of 15.1. 

Game Videos

Bahcesehir opened the game hot from long range, with Smith and CJ Massinburg both hitting two three-pointers apiece for a 16-6 lead. A second basket from Tai Odiase had the cushion up to 19-8. Joventut went inside to Pustovyi, who had 9 points in cutting the deficit to 23-19. The score was 26-21 after 10 minutes. 

Dekker stepped up in the second quarter with a three-pointer among 7 points as Joventut evened the game 31-31. Hazer countered with a three-point play and Bouteille and Smith both drained three-pointers as the gap grew to 44-35. And the hosts scored the final seven points of the first half to lead 51-38 at the break.

Game News

A Tyler Cavanaugh free throw increased the cushion to 52-38 to start the second half. Yannick Kraag tried to get Joventut back into the game with 5 straight points to make it 52-45. Bouteille answered with 4 points at the other end while Dekker had Joventut within 61-54, but it was 66-56 after 30 minutes. 

Simonovic started the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to re-establish a 13-point lead and every time Joventut tried to get close Bahcesehir would answer. That was until back-to-back three-pointers by Dekker to finish a 4-12 surge to get the gap down to 75-70 with 5 minutes to go. Mateusz Ponitka punched back with a triple of his own and the hosts were back to scoring with consistency again as two Simonovic scores making it 84-73 with just more than a minute to go.

The Turkish side just had too many weapons, while the visitors' struggles continue

Devin Robinson has eyes in the back of his head as he finds Andrija Stipanovic for the layup.

Robinson with the amazing pass! Magic Moment

 Devin Robinson has eyes in the back of his head as he finds Andrija Stipanovic for the layup.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2024-11-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Zavier Simpson sends a fantastic pass to De'Shawn Stephens for a wild dunk in traffic!

Simpson finds Stephens! Magic Moment

 Zavier Simpson sends a fantastic pass to De'Shawn Stephens for a wild dunk in traffic!

James Banks stops Zach Hankins twice with consecutive blocks!

Banks' double block! Magic Moment

 James Banks stops Zach Hankins twice with consecutive blocks!

Jaleen Smith feeds Tai Odiase who takes off for the big dunk.

Odiase flies in for the dunk! Magic Moment

 Jaleen Smith feeds Tai Odiase who takes off for the big dunk.

Leaving a piece of his heart in both cities and teams, Gigi Datome looked back at his eight years between Fenerbahce Beko and Olimpia Milano.

Istanbul and Milan, Fenerbahce and Olimpia in Gigi Datome's words

In 2015, [Gigi Datome](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luigi-datome/ccd/) was eager to find himself more playing time in the NBA. He had crossed the Atlantic two years before to sign with the Detroit Pistons, but in late February 2015 – just before the trade deadline – he moved to the Boston Celtics. In Boston, Brad Stevens praised him as the team’s "best shooter" and it looked like he had found his rhythm with the Celtics.

His career in Europe hadn't seen him to go further than the Italian border, planting his roots from Sardinia all the way to the "Continent", as people from the island call the Peninsula. From then on, he gained experience between Siena and Scafati before bursting onto the scene in Rome.

He had never thought about playing in Turkiye, nor he had ever been in the country that lies in both Asia and Europe. While immersed in his endless thoughts about how to catch more attention in Boston, he thought about organizing a much-needed vacation there.

Four of his best friends and a marvelous city like Istanbul made for what should have been an unforgettable adventure, but something didn't go according to plan and the trip got canceled. However, fate had a way of intervening later in the most intricate and inexplicable ways. "You really wanted to go," they told him.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1748187/gigi-datome-fenerbahce-istanbul-milano-euroleague-interview/).

Leaving a piece of his heart in both cities and teams, the Italian legend looked back at his eight years between Fenerbahce and Milan

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-11-29T17:45:00.000Z)

Right after his first practice with AS Monaco, Vassilis Spanoulis sat down to talk with Javier Gancedo of the Euroleague.net about a number of topics: his return to the EuroLeague, how important it was for him to get back to the EuroLeague in his own terms, and what led him to accept Monaco's offer in the middle of the season.

Vassilis Spanoulis exclusive interview: 'I missed the EuroLeague'

In the biggest news around the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this week, [Vassilis Spanoulis is back in the competition](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-basket-names-vassilis-spanoulis-as-head-coach/) – this time as a head coach – after signing a multi-year deal with [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/). 

Right after his first practice with the team, Spanoulis sat down to talk with Javier Gancedo of the [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) about a number of topics: his return to the EuroLeague, how important it was for him to get back to the EuroLeague in his own terms, and what led him to accept Monaco's offer in the middle of the season.

Spanoulis also talked about [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) and his relationship with him, his coaching mentors and the tricky nature of the EuroLeague calendar. His first game will be against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in the Greek capital, and his first home game will be against Olympiacos Piraeus, [the club that retired his jersey over a year ago](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/teammates-opponents-remembered-vassilis-spanoulis-on-olympiacos-bc-night-of-the-legend/). 

Don't miss the chance to hear Spanoulis's first thoughts as he opens a new chapter in his career.

Vassilis Spanoulis is back in the EuroLeague | Exclusive interview on coaching and Identity

The EuroLeague Basketball Legend will coach for the first time in Europe's premier club basketball competition

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v AS Monaco (2024-11-29T19:15:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-12-04T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv has further strengthened by signing Yam Madar on a deal until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Yam Madar seals his return to Hapoel Tel Aviv

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) continues to make noise in European basketball, with the club announcing the signing of [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/) on a deal until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Madar (1.90 meters, 23 years old) returns to Hapoel after coming through the club's academy and playing in the first team between 2018 and 2021. 

The Israeli guard spent the first part of this season with [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/) in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, averaging 4.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in five games off the bench.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">עיר נשימתה עוצרת <a href="https://t.co/Vxd2zQZJ9B">pic.twitter.com/Vxd2zQZJ9B</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1862061120162296272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Madar has spent the last three seasons playing among the best of the best in the EuroLeague, having featured in the league for [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) (2022-23), [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) (2023-24) and most recently Bayern (2024-25).

During his rookie EuroLeague season with Partizan, Madar helped the team reach the playoffs and was [later rewarded with the EuroLeague's Rising Star award](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/yam-madar-is-the-2022-23-euroleague-rising-star-winner/) for his efforts throughout the campaign.

2023 RISING STAR I Yam Madar EuroLeague highlights

With Hapoel competing in the BKT EuroCup, this will be the 23-year-old's second year in the competition with Partizan in 2021-22. That season, he averaged 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists as Partizan made it to the eighthfinals.

The addition of Madar should strengthen Hapoel's odds of going far in this season's EuroCup, with the team having gone 5-3 so far in Group A, good for third place in the standings.

What's more, Madar reunites with [Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-tel-aviv-appoints-dimitris-itoudis-two-time-euroleague-champ/), his former head coach at Fenerbahce, which should further help his integration into the team.

More Hapoel Tel Aviv News

The talented guard has rejoined the Israeli club after more than three years away

Yam Madar leaves Bayern, seals return to Hapoel Tel Aviv

FC Barcelona (7-4) and Real Madrid (5-6) go head to head in El Clásico on Thursday night, but which team do the Euroleague.net experts – Geoff Gillingham, Javier Gancedo, Igor Petrinovic and Frankie Sachs – think will come out with the win?

Rivalry Series: Predicting the winner of Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Everybody knows about the significance of *El Clásico*, but the 37th edition of this legendary fixture between FC Barcelona (7-4) and Real Madrid (5-6) in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this century should bring plenty of intrigue. On the morning of game day, which team do the [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) experts think will come out on top?

[Geoff Gillingham](https://bsky.app/profile/geoffgillingham.bsky.social), [Javier Gancedo](https://x.com/ganchetto), [Igor Petrinovic](https://x.com/IgorPetrinovic) and [Frankie Sachs](https://x.com/MrEuroleague) have all predicted their winner in this Rivalry Series matchup.

**Geoff:** Over the last five years, Barcelona has dominated in regular-season matchups against Real Madrid (7-3 since 2019), but *Los Blancos* have twice come out on top against their archrivals at the Final Four in that time (2022, 2023). More recently, Chus Mateo's men are yet to win on the road this season and Barcelona has given up 100+ points in back-to-back games for the first time in EuroLeague history. Making a prediction in that context certainly makes things complicated, but I think Real Madrid will get back on track and stun the Palau Blaugrana crowd by coming away with the win, one day before Barcelona turns 125 years old.

Geoff’s prediction: **Real Madrid by 3-6 points.**

Rivalries | Ep.5 Spain | FC Barcelona - Real Madrid

**Igor:** In general, Barcelona has looked better than Real Madrid so far this season, but not last week when it got blown out in Munich. Meanwhile, *Los Blancos* struggled defensively in the first half against ALBA Berlin in Round 11 before pulling away to a double-digit win. However, I think Barcelona will bounce back this week and I feel this game means more to Barcelona than it does to Real. That might sound a bit strange. After all, Barcelona has a 7-4 record, which is two wins more than Real. But simply looking at their recent history, and *Los Blancos* winning the majority of important games between the two sides, I think this one is a must-win for Barcelona. I think they pull it out, getting the Real Madrid monkey off their back.

Igor's prediction: **Barcelona wins by 7.**

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏀 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘!<br>🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> <br>📆 20.45h<br>🏆 Round 12<br>📺 Movistar<br>📍 Palau Blaugrana<br>🔵🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/For%C3%A7aBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForçaBarça</a> <a href="https://t.co/HbFRLcD3VU">pic.twitter.com/HbFRLcD3VU</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1862043759447601422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**Javi:** In general, *El Clásico* is one of the hardest games to predict in world sports, as Real and Barca know everything about each other and more often than not, small details can make a huge difference. In particular, this game has not come at the best time for either of the teams: Real is looking for its first road win in this EuroLeague season, while Barcelona lost its last two showdowns. This past summer saw the *Azulgrana* sign Youssoupha Fall and Justin Anderson, two players to use against Real Madrid stars Walter Tavares and Facu Campazzo, respectively. It also plays at home and the atmosphere at Palau Blaugrana will be electric. On the other hand, Real has a core of players that have been together in many games like this, plus Dzanan Musa is back and *Los Blancos* have not won a EuroLeague Clásico at Palau since 2018. That's why I am going for the unexpected: Real breaks its road losing streak with a stunning performance against its archrival.

Javi's prediction: **Real wins by 7.**

Barcelona - Real Madrid Tactical Breakdown by ‪@HeatCheck‬

**Frankie:** If the playoffs began today, two things are true. First, it would be pretty odd because it’s still November. Second, it would be pretty odd because both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid would be in the Play-In Showdown. Which is another way to say, both teams really need this win. Barcelona is coming off back-to-back blowout losses, including at home to Paris Basketball. Real is winless on the road this season. That detail alone should be enough to feel confident in Barcelona, which is also welcoming Raul Neto into the rotation this week. If you asked me to pick this game in September, I would have said Real hands down as the team with more talent and chemistry. If you had asked me two weeks ago, I would have said Barcelona hands down as the team getting the most of its talent. Today? This game could go either way. My gut says stick with Barcelona. We have not seen the best of real yet this season and I don’t think it will happen in *El Clásico*.

Frankie's prediction: **Barcelona bangs out a comfortable victory.**

The latest instalment of sport's most famous matchup takes place this Thursday night (20:45 CET)

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid (2024-11-28T19:45:00.000Z)

Jean Montero is turning heads in the EuroCup with his excellent performances for Valencia Basket, but this is his story to date.

Valencia's Jean Montero piling up honors, but concentrating on limiting mistakes 

There are many things that [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/montero-jean/010042/) can be proud of, including being one of the front-runners for the BKT EuroCup Rising Star Award, as well as two achievements he shares in common with the great [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/). But the thing the [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) guard is possibly most proud of is the statistic 1.5. 

That was the average number of turnovers per game that Montero committed last season at MoraBanc Andorra, despite playing more than 26 minutes per contest as the club’s main ball-handler. 

"That was one of the things my dad used to tell me - take care of the ball," said Montero, who was playing his second season in the Spanish League. "I was very proud of myself because I used to have the ball a lot in my hands and being able to control it and not just throw the ball away and make the right play every time. That’s what I am still learning.

“I'm a young age. I think it's very, very important. I think I am still developing that, and also in the future, it could help me.”

Jean Montero highlights Sept-Nov 2024

Montero mentioned he was young and it needs to be stated that the Dominican Republic playmaker played the entire 2023-24 season at age 20. He averaged 15.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.0 steals and the aforementioned 1.5 turnovers. And that in the strongest domestic league in Europe.

“The biggest thing I was trying to do last season as the leader of the team was to get my teammates involved every time, just trying to help them. They helped me too,” he said. “I think the most unique thing that we had last year was the friendship among everybody on the team, even the staff, the fans, everybody. You feel family. You feel love. So that was the most unique thing.”

Montero played the 2022-23 season in Spain for Real Betis and averaged 17.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.4 turnovers in 27 minutes per game - as a 19-year-old.

Both of the last two seasons ended with Montero winning the Best Young Player award for the Spanish League. Only two players had repeated as the top youngster in Spanish basketball: Luka Doncic with Real Madrid and [Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/carlos-alocen/010623/), who did it with Zaragoza. 

“I don't really put too much focus on individual achievements," he stated. "I just try to show the people that I'm a competitor and always give 100 percent on the court. I always want to improve. That's the most important thing for me. And as things go, those achievements are very welcome. But I don't put a lot of focus on that."

And what if he wins it again this season? 

“I will be the first one to ever win it three times in a row." 

That would be kind of fun, no? 

“Yeah,” he says with a smile. 

Montero has another thing in common with Doncic. In May 2023, he scored 25 points and dished out 10 assists against Girona, becoming just the third player under the age of 20 to achieve that in the Spanish League – Doncic and [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) being the others.

“I remember that game. It was an important game for us," he recalled. "I mean, they're great players. Luka is still young and still has a long way to go. Sergio Rodriguez, I used to watch a lot of EuroLeague games of him in Madrid, and he was a very impressive player. I try to take one thing from everybody who came before me to improve my game. It was a very impressive game."

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpKsrgxOsjt/?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/CpKsrgxOsjt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpKsrgxOsjt/?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 Jean Montero (@jeanmont3ro)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

One of the things that is impressive is the maturity in Montero’s game despite his tender age. But that comes from quite a striking past. 

Montero is the fifth oldest of a group of 10 children, who range in age by 27 years and are a total five boys and five girls. He started taking basketball seriously at age 10 in the capital of Santo Domingo. 

At age 13 he left his homeland alone for Mexico and the NBA Academy, and after one year there he left for the United States to play at the DME Academy in Florida. After just one season, he came to Europe and spent two seasons with Gran Canaria – during which he won the MVP of the ANGE Valencia in 2019-20 and appeared in four EuroCup games in 2020-21. 

In 2021, Montero became the first international player to sign with Overtime Elite and was the OTE scoring champion in its inaugural season after averaging 22.5 points and 6.2 assists. 

Again, after just one year, it was back to Spain – where he joined Betis. 

Fast-forward to this season and Montero is back in the EuroCup and now is dealing with having a target on his back with the rest of the Valencia team.

“We just have to keep the same mindset, just live in the present and try to do things and control things that you can control," he said. "Just have the same mentality, day by day, game by game. That's how we can accomplish our best."

Montero has been a major reason for Valencia’s perfect start to the season with 10.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.3 steals. Oh, and a very respectable 1.8 turnovers per game.

More Valencia News

The 21-year-old playmaker is turning heads in the EuroCup

The 37th edition of El Clásico this century in the EuroLeague will see Kevin Punter come up against Real Madrid for the first time in an FC Barcelona jersey, but he certainly has experience of playing in high-pressure derbies.

Kevin Punter gears up for his first Clásico: ‘I understand what’s at stake’

The 37th edition of *El Clásico* this century in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague will see [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) come up against [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) for the first time in an [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) jersey, but he certainly has experience of playing in high-pressure derbies.

Punter, who got to experience the Belgrade derby during his three years as a [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) player, is looking forward to what awaits Barcelona on Thursday night (20:45 CET), one day before the *Azulgrana* celebrate their 125th anniversary.

“It’s a lot of pride, it’s a lot of bragging rights,” Punter said in a feature interview. “Those derby games are not just regular games, everybody knows that. But the most important thing is obviously to win.”

Joan Penarroya’s men come into *El Clásico* after suffering back-to-back defeats to Paris Basketball and FC Bayern Munich, which resulted in Barcelona giving up 100 or more points in consecutive games for the first time in EuroLeague history. The good thing for Barcelona is that in Punter, it has a player who knows what to expect in a game the magnitude of *El Clásico*.

“I played in real, real crazy derbies, so I understand exactly what’s at stake,” he added. “Understanding who you’re playing against and how those games work. It takes experience to play in those games. I pretty much did the same thing last year when I was with Partizan, so I understand how those games go.”

Ahead of his first Clásico as an FC Barcelona player, Kevin Punter spoke about what he expects heading into this game against Real Madrid.

He is averaging team highs of 15.8 points and a 16.2 PIR this season

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague’s 2024-25 season has arrived, with the first of this season's four qualifying events taking place in Istanbul this weekend. Here are some names to watch out for from each of the eight teams in Istanbul.

NextGen Istanbul players to watch

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague’s 2024-25 season has arrived, with the first of this season's four qualifying events taking place in Istanbul this weekend.

The event will feature host [U18 Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/jbc/), fellow Turkish sides [U18 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/jul/) and [U18 Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/jef/), as well as [U18 Mega MIS Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-mega-mis-belgrade/roster/jmv/), [U18 Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-gran-canaria/roster/jgc/), [U18 Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-panathinaikos-athens/roster/upa/), [U18 Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/teams/u18-umana-reyer-venice/roster/jur/) and the [U18 NextGen Team Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-next-gen-team-istanbul/roster/ngi/).

They will all meet at the newly renovated Basketball Development Center over three days between November 29 and December 1 with one goal: to advance to the NextGen EuroLeague Finals, which will be held in May alongside the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. Here are some names to watch out for from each of the eight teams in Istanbul.

### Francesco Corato, U18 Umana Reyer Venice

[Francesco Corato](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/francesco-corato/012871/) will be appearing in the NextGen for a second time after he averaged 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds at the NextGen Podgorica. The 2.02-meter forward has yet to play for any Italian youth national teams. This season he is averaging 14.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in Italy's U19 league. Corato is a dynamic power forward with good athletic tools that allow him to play above the rim. He is still working on his shot in order to be able to stretch his game. Corato can be dangerous facing the basket where he shows the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim to finish. Corato’s low-post game is not so skilled, but he can use his body to get advantages. On defense, he's a rim protector who can also stay with guards thanks to his quickness and long arms.

### Yavuz Kara, U18 Bahcesehir College Istanbul

This will be [Yavuz Kara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/yavuz-kara/013468/)’s first NextGen event. The small forward has come up through the Bahcesehir system and been a regular with the country’s national team, playing at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 and then helping Turkiye finish third at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024. He averaged 3.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in the tournament in Istanbul. Kara is spending his second season predominantly in the Turkish U19 league, where he has been worth 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. He is a strong spot-up and pick-and-pop shooter. Kara does a good job on the offensive glass. He plays well off his left shoulder with the fadeaway and prefers to go left to the rim.

### Mert Kocagozoglu, U18 Anadolu Efes Istanbul

[Mert Kocagozoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/mert-kocagozoglu/013426/) will be playing at the NextGen for the first time as he spends his second season in Efes’s youth system. He has been a leader for the Turkish youth national team for the past two summers, playing at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 and then averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals for the Türkiye team that finished third as hosts at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024. This season the forward is collecting 8.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in the Turkish U19 league as well as 2.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in the Turkish second division. Kocagozoglu is a good shooter and a good defender. He has a decent pull-up shot and can lock up the opponent’s best offensive player.

### Ognjen Srzentic, U18 Mega MIS Belgrade

[Ognjen Srzentic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/ognjen-srzentic/012436/) will be making his third appearance in the NextGen, having already played in 10 games over the past two seasons - at both the NextGen Belgrade and NextGen Finals both years. The 2.02-meter guard averaged 9.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals at the ANGE Belgrade and then 6.0 points and 2.0 rebounds at the NextGen Finals last season. Srzentic played at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 and then helped Serbia to second place at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024, where he collected 6.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting a tournament-best 72% on three-pointers. Srzentic helped Mega win both the U19 ABA League and the U19 Serbian League, being named MVP of the latter. He is playing this season in the Serbian League with OKK Beograd and contributing 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Srzentic’s biggest strength is his size and he excels with the ball in his hands. He can slash to the rim at a high level while also being a very good shooter. With his long wingspan, Srzentic can cover multiple positions on defense. His game doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses and he is on the verge of becoming a real star in the future.

### Aleksandr Panasiuk, U18 Gran Canaria

[Aleksandr Panasiuk](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/aleksandr-panasiuk/013102/) will be competing in the NextGen for a second season after he compiled 6.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists at the NextGen Paris last year. The 2008-born Russian has not yet played for a youth national team. At 1.98 meters, the point guard is averaging 4.5 points in 12 minutes with Gran Canaria’s team in the Spanish third division. Despite his height, Panasiuk is comfortable bringing the ball up and having it in his hands. He has a lot of offensive talent, with a good touch for finishing off the dribble or in catch-and-shoot situations from long distance. He needs to be more consistent with his shooting. Panasiuk is an intelligent player with a clear understanding of the game and he thrives in challenging situations and close games. He is effective in the open court, finding both perimeter and interior teammates. Due to his height, Panasiuk needs to improve in dribbling situations, keeping the ball lower.

### Jahel Trefle, U18 NextGen Team Istanbul

[Jahel Trefle](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/jahel-trefle/013121/) will be playing for a select team for the second season after he was a member of the NGT side that won the NextGen Paris last year. The center averaged 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. He also played for France at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024, collecting 4.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Trefle is a strong and very athletic big man. He is very explosive and quick off of his feet and definitely has a flair for the dramatic.

### Georgios Tsakiris, U18 Panathinaikos Athens

[Georgios Tsakiris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/georgios-angelos-tsakiris/013072/) is playing in the NextGen for a second time after he tallied 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds at the Paris event last season. The 1.89-meter guard has not played for Greece at the national team level. He shows a lot of hustle and is a good shooter and defender. He still needs to work on his ball handling and is not overly athletic.

### Omer Ziyaettin, U18 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

[Omer Ziyaettin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/omer-ziyaettin/013414/) will be playing in his first NextGen event and will be a year younger than much of the competition. The 1.88-guard debuted in the Turkish League last season at just 15, appearing in eight games and tallying 2.6 points in 4 minutes per game. The combo guard this season has averaged 15.5 points while shooting 61 percent on three-pointers to go with 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.0 steals in the Turkish U19 league. The lefty guard is an outstanding shooter, both off the dribble and in spot-up situations. He has a very high basketball IQ and is considered to be a great leader. Ziyaettin has a strong drive to his left which is helped because of his shooting threat - also with the pull-up. The youngster still needs to work on over-dribbling at times and a lack of athleticism.

Here are eight top talents to keep an eye on at the NextGen EuroLeague Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul

LDLC ASVEL has announced that Admiral Schofield has mutually agreed to terminate his contract at the club.

Admiral Schofield, ASVEL mutually part ways

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) has announced that [Admiral Schofield](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/admiral-schofield/013372/) has mutually agreed to terminate his contract at the club.

Schofield played in six Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games for ASVEL this season, which came between Rounds 2 and 7. In those appearances, the 27-year-old averaged 6.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">LDLC ASVEL et l’intérieur américain Admiral Schofield (27 ans, 1m97) ont décidé, d’un commun accord, de mettre un terme au contrat qui les liait. <br><br>L’ensemble du club remercie Admiral pour son professionnalisme et lui souhaite le meilleur pour la suite de sa carrière.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/EN4w8NstYs">pic.twitter.com/EN4w8NstYs</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1861741774101692476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"LDLC ASVEL and American forward Admiral Schofield have mutually agreed to terminate the contract between them," ASVEL said in a statement.

"The entire club would like to thank Admiral for his professionalism and wish him all the best for the rest of his career."

This season was Schofield's rookie campaign in the EuroLeague.

More ASVEL News

He played six times for the team this season