Name: Top 10 Dunks | 2023-24 Season | Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Lessort led Panathinaikos to the championship as its main frontcourt reference

Tribute to the Champs: Mathias Lessort

Even though he had proved his value repeatedly, [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) faced a critical season in a new environment where the goal was to turn things around and make Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens great again. Far from being intimidated by this challenge, Lessort delivered from the moment he arrived in the Greek capital, posting solid numbers throughout the season and remaining strong in the most critical moments.

His road to becoming a EuroLeague superstar has not been an easy one. Born in Martinique, Lessort started his professional career with French side Chalon-Sur-Saone. He made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Crvena Zvezda Belgrade and went to play for Unicaja Malaga of Spain, FC Bayern Munich of Germany and AS Monaco, which he led to the 2020-21 EuroCup championship. Lessort earned All-EuroCup First Team honors that season. After a brief time with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Lessort joined Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and took the chance to grow as a player under legendary Coach Zeljko Obradovic. Less than two years later, Lessort earned 2022-23 All-EuroLeague First Team honors and was soon on his way to leading Panathinaikos.

Mathias Lessort earned All-EuroLeague First Team honors in consecutive seasons with different teams!

2023-24 EuroLeague highlights; Mathias Lessort, Panathinaikos

Lessort did not disappoint. He had a strong regular season, averaging 13.6 points on 62.3% two-point shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 6.2 fouls drawn for a PIR of 19.1. He improved all those numbers in the playoffs, up to 14.6 points on 65.0% two-pointers, 7.6 rebounds and 9.4 fouls drawn for a PIR of 23.0. Lessort struggled from the free throw line during the playoffs (41.2% FT) but improved at the Final Four (60.0% FT). He led Panathinaikos past Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the semifinals with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Once in the Championship Game against Real Madrid, Lessort had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 10 fouls drawn for a PIR of 22. Lessort became the first player in over 20 years to get back-to-back All-EuroLeague First Team honors with different teams.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pao fans, enjoy your night ☘️🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@paobcgr</a> <a href="https://t.co/LEBR4GFLDT">pic.twitter.com/LEBR4GFLDT</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1794861555164815561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Lessort's great basketball IQ helped him find ways to remain effective against all sorts of opponents, using his post skills and strength down low, but also his athleticism and great speed for a player his size to get easy baskets in transition. At the end of the championship game, Lessort delivered an iconic moment, bursting into tears while holding his child. He also proved once again that when it comes to celebrating and connecting with his fans, Lessort is one of the best, going to the stands to grab a megaphone and sing Panathinaikos songs with the team's fans. Mathias Lessort, one of a kind! 

Tribute to the Champs

Lessort led Panathinaikos to the championship as its main frontcourt reference


Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul has reached an agreement with forward Egehan Arna to remain together for another season, the club announced Tuesday. 

Bahcesehir keeps forward Egehan Arna

Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul has reached an agreement with forward [Egehan Arna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/egehan-arna/profile/005348/) to remain together for another season, the club announced Tuesday. Arna (2.02 meters, 27 years old) joined the team in January and averaged 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12 Turkish League games last season. He started the 2023-24 campaign with Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, with which he averaged 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9 BKT EuroCup game before joining Bahcesehir.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">🙌 Egehan Arna ile yola devam!<br><br>🤝 Takımımıza geçtiğimiz sezon ortasında katılan değerli oyuncumuz, 2024-2025 sezonunda da Bahçeşehir Koleji için parkelerde yer alacak.<br><br>💪 Birlikte nice başarılara! <br><br>❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyHighTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyHighTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/jp2sdYgcky">pic.twitter.com/jp2sdYgcky</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1803384688767058237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Arna grew up with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and also played for Anadolu Efes Istanbul before starting a second stint with Besiktas. He helped Fenerbahce win three Turkish League and two Turkish Cup crowns and lifted the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague trophy in 2017. He added a fourth Turkish League title with Efes in 2023. Arna has also been a member of the Turkish national team.

Egehan Arna Top Plays of the 2023-24 Regular Season

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: Egehan Arna, Besiktas

The former EuroLeague champ arrived midway through last season

'El Chacho' officially finishes a legendary basketball career

Three-time EuroLeague champ Sergio Rodriguez retires

[Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) has announced that he will no longer play professional basketball, putting an end to a legendary career that allowed him to be one of the greatest winners in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history. The 38-year-old, nicknamed "El Chacho", announced his retirement days after winning the Spanish League with Real Madrid, the club for which he played the longest in his career.

"After 20 years as a basketball player, I would like to share with you a decision that will change my life. It is time for me to put an end to my career. I feel like this season, in which we won the Spanish League, Cup and Supercup titles, is the perfect time to say goodbye. I always dreamed of retiring being in good shape and winning my last game and now life gave me that gift," Rodriguez said. "The time has come. I gave everything I had and enjoyed the sport I love like I could never imagine. Thank you for this incredible 20-year journey."

El Chacho retires: his top 10 plays in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Rodriguez grew up with Siglo XXI and made his EuroLeague debut with Spanish side Estudiantes Madrid in the 2004-05 season. After winning the World Cup with the Spanish national team in 2006, Rodriguez went on to play in the NBA for the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks. He joined Real Madrid in 2010 for a first stint that lasted six seasons. In those years, Rodriguez helped Real reach four Final Fours and three EuroLeague Championship Games, including lifting the trophy in 2015 for the club's first continental crown in 20 years. Rodriguez was also chosen as the 2013-14 EuroLeague MVP. After a year with the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, Rodriguez joined CSKA Moscow, where he spent two years and won his second EuroLeague crown in 2019. His next stop was EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, which Rodriguez helped to the 2021 Final Four, the club's first appearance in nearly two decades. He returned to *Los Blancos* in 2022 and won a third EuroLeague crown in 2023.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Tengo algo que compartir. <a href="https://t.co/6uW5MUU6FQ">pic.twitter.com/6uW5MUU6FQ</a></p>&mdash; Sergio Rodriguez (@SergioRodriguez) <a href="https://twitter.com/SergioRodriguez/status/1803377935035863381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Added to his three EuroLeague championships, Rodriguez won four Spanish League and five Spanish Cup titles with *Los Blancos* and won the Intercontinental Cup in 2015. He also won VTB United League championships with CSKA in 2018 and 2019, an Italian League and Cup double in 2022, and another Italian Cup in 2021.

Rodriguez won a gold medal with the Spanish national team at EuroBasket 2015, two Olympic medals (silver in London 2012 and bronze in Rio 2016) and three more EuroBasket medals: silver in 2007 and bronze in 2013 and 2017. He finishes his career ranked second all-time on the EuroLeague's assists list (1,874), seventh in scoring (3,772 points), third in three-point shots made (609), eighth in steals (309) and ninth in PIR (4,095). Worldwide famous for his flashy playing style, no-look passes, clutch three-pointers and trademark beard, Rodriguez had one of the most beautiful careers in basketball.

More on Sergio Rodriguez

Armoni Brooks has switched the NBA for the EuroLeague by joining Olimpia Milano.

Olimpia Milano secures move for Armoni Brooks

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has completed the signing of guard Armoni Brooks on a deal until the end of the 2025-26 season, the club confirmed Wednesday. 

Brooks (1.91 meters, 26 years old) most recently played for the Ontario Clippers in the G League, averaging 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game across 30 appearances in 2023-24.

During the 2023-24 campaign, he also spent time with the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, posting 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10 games. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">&quot;Super entusiasta, darò tutto&quot;: Armoni Brooks all&#39;Olimpia<br><br>La Pallacanestro Olimpia ha raggiunto un accordo fino alla stagione 2025/26 con la guardia Armoni Brooks, 1,91, nato a Waco, Texas, il 5 giugno 1998, proveniente dagli Ontario Clippers della G-League.<br><br>🇮🇹 Comunicato… <a href="https://t.co/UO7L0JdyQp">pic.twitter.com/UO7L0JdyQp</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1803363188416586053?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I am super excited to join the Olimpia Miano family," Brooks told Milan's official club media. "Playing for a historic club like this is such a great honor. I can’t wait to come to Italy and compete in one of the best leagues in the world and play against some of the best competition there is in this sport. I feel blessed to have been given this great opportunity and I will give my best each and every day to make sure we win as many games as possible.”

To date, Brooks has hopped between the NBA and the G League since turning professional in 2019. His best season in the NBA was his first in the league, which came with the Houston Rockets in 2020-21. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.4	rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20 games for Houston. Brooks then split the 2021-22 season between Houston and the Toronto Raptors, before returning to the NBA with Brooklyn in 2023-24. His NBA averages stand at: 6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 84 appearances.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome Armoni Brooks 🔥 🙌🏻 🤍❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/0Ax27J9E4I">pic.twitter.com/0Ax27J9E4I</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1803366668124504355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Milan News

Armoni Brooks in action for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2023-24 NBA season.

He will get his first taste of EuroLeague basketball next season

Milan secures move for Armoni Brooks

KK Crvena zvezda has announced the signing of Isaiah Canaan, who reached back-to-back EuroLeague Final Fours while playing for Olympiacos BC.

Isaiah Canaan joins KK Crvena zvezda

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has secured itself the services of [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) on a two-year deal, the club confirmed Wednesday. Canaan (1.83 meters, 33 years old) has spent the last two years at Olympiacos Piraeus and averaged 11.1 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 41 games as the Reds reached the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, finishing third. The 2024-25 campaign will be Canaan’s fifth in the EuroLeague.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Američki Bek Ajzea Kenan novi je košarkaš Crvene zvezde Meridianbet! 🔴⚪️<br><br>Kenan je sa našim klubom potpisao dvogodišnji ugovor i predstavljaće veliko pojačanje za tim i bekovsku liniju u sezoni 2024/25!<br><br>U Crvenu zvezdu nekadašnji igrač Hjustona, Filadelfije, Čikaga, Finiksa,… <a href="https://t.co/ezEtKkKHG6">pic.twitter.com/ezEtKkKHG6</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1803356237217570888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Canaan’s EuroLeague journey began in 2021-22, when he suited up for UNICS Kazan. That season, he played 24 games and posted 11.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists. The year before, he helped lead UNICS to the BKT EuroCup Finals, averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

His first campaign at Olympiacos in 2022-23 almost led to Canaan getting his hands on the EuroLeague championship, with the guard averaging 6.3 points across 39 games. In the championship game, Canaan came close to becoming the hero for the Reds by netting 21 points, yet instead it was Real Madrid’s Sergio Llull as he scored the game-winning shot.

Last season, Canaan increased his scoring average to 11.1 points per game across 41 appearances and once again got to taste Final Four basketball. However, Olympiacos came up short against Real for the second year in a row before managing to beat Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the third-place game.

The top plays of new Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade signing Isaiah Canaan while playing for Olympiacos Piraeus in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Canaan's best plays in 2023-24

Canaan started his professional career with the Houston Rockets in the NBA before going on to fellow NBA teams the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Rockets again, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Milwaukee Bucks. He’s also played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and the Stockton Kings in the G League. Between leaving UNICS and joining Olympiacos, Canaan represented Galatasaray on a short-term deal.

More Crvena Zvezda News

New Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade signing Isaiah Canaan in action for Olympiacos Piraeus at the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

The American guard brings his talents to Serbia for the first time

Isaiah Canaan joins Crvena Zvezda

Barça Basket has confirmed the arrival of Kevin Punter, who has signed a one-year deal after leaving KK Partizan.

Barcelona adds scoring threat Kevin Punter

FC Barcelona completed its first off-season reinforcement by signing guard [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) on a one-year deal, the club announced Wednesday. Punter (1.93 meters, 31 years old) spent the last three seasons with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, where he was only the second non-Serbian team captain in club history, and is one of the most dangerous scorers in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Aquest any sí, culers 😏 <a href="https://t.co/HHU4nSYHpF">pic.twitter.com/HHU4nSYHpF</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1803355980047986777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The veteran guard is coming off a campaign in which he ranked eighth in scoring in the EuroLeague with 15.0 points per game, while also collecting 2.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds. He also posted 9.4 points, 2.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds in ABA League action.

For Punter, who made the All-EuroLeague Second Team in the 2022-23 season after leading Partizan within one game of the EuroLeague Final Four, this was his fifth season in the competition. He made his debut in the 2019-20 campaign when he split the season between Olympiacos Piraeus and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. Punter went on to spend the next season with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, helping it reach the 2021 Final Four, before joining Partizan.

2023-24 EuroLeague highlights: Kevin Punter, Partizan

Punter has made 124 career EuroLeague appearances and over the last two seasons he has posted 15.6 points, making 1.9 triples per game on 40.7% shooting. He also holds the longest streak of free throws made in the competition, with 69 consecutive made free throws.

A college basketball star at the University of Tennessee, Punter began his professional career in Greece with GC Lavrio. He has also played for AEK Athens in Greece, Antwerp in Belgium, Rosa Radom in Poland and Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Italy.

In his first season with Partizan, Punter was named to the All-EuroCup Team after leading the club to the EuroCup Playoffs, and also won the ABA League title in 2023. Punter’s trophy case includes winning respective national cups with AEK in Greece in 2018 and with Milan in Italy in 2021. He also captured the Basketball Champions League championship in back-to-back seasons with AEK in 2018 and Virtus in 2019.

More Barcelona News

Kevin Punter in action for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade against FC Barcelona, his new club, in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

This will mark the American's sixth different EuroLeague club

There are some guys in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague who can simply fly! Check out some of their high-flying heroics with the 10 best dunks from the 2023-24 season! 

 Top 10 Dunks | 2023-24 Season | Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 

There are some guys in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague who can simply fly! Check out some of their high-flying heroics with the 10 best dunks from the 2023-24 season!

Top 10 Dunks | 2023-24 Season | Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Umana Reyer Venice strengthened its backcourt by inking point guard Tyler Ennis to a two-year deal, the club announced Tuesday. 

Tyler Ennis returns to Italy by signing for Reyer

Umana Reyer Venice strengthened its backcourt by inking point guard [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/) to a two-year deal, the club announced Tuesday. Ennis (1.88 meters, 29 years old) arrives from Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, where he averaged 13.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 12 Israeli League games last season, helping his team reach the final. He started the 2023-24 season with Gevi Napoli Basket and averaged 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 30 Italian League games. Ennis helped Napoli win the Italian Cup. He had 21 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists to lead Napoli to a 72-77 win against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the final and was named MVP.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">L&#39;Umana Reyer Venezia comunica con soddisfazione di aver sottoscritto un accordo pluriennale con Tyler Cameron Ennis McIntyre, miglior assist-man della LBA 2023/24 🤝<br><br>Il comunicato 👇<a href="https://t.co/nck0bBXVzj">https://t.co/nck0bBXVzj</a></p>&mdash; Reyer Venezia (@REYER1872) <a href="https://twitter.com/REYER1872/status/1803149768073622006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After playing college basketball for Syracuse University, Ennis started his professional career with the Phoenix Suns, who selected him with the 18th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He also played for Bakersfield and Raptors 905 of the G League as well as for the Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Ennis first came to Europe in 2018 to play for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, but his season was cut short by injury. He later suited up for Turk Telekom Ankara and Tofas Bursa in Turkiye. Ennis has also been a member of the Canadian national team.

Ennis took part in 4 EuroCup games with Turk Telekom in the 2021-22 season. His older brother Dylan Ennis played three EuroCup seasons and was named to the 2018-19 All-EuroCup Second Team with Morabanc Andorra.

Tyler Ennis played for Turk Telekom Ankara in the 2021-22 campaign.

2021-22 EuroCup highlights: Tyler Ennis, Turk Telekom Ankara

The playmaker helped Napoli with the Italian Cup last season 

Dreamland Gran Canaria announce the signing of point guard Carlos Alocen to a two-year contract on Tuesday. 

Gran Canaria inks Carlos Alocen to 2-year deal

Dreamland Gran Canaria announce the signing of point guard [Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlos-alocen/010623/) to a two-year contract on Tuesday. Alocen (1.94 meters, 23 years old) has spent the past four seasons with Real Madrid. He averaged 1.5 points and 1.4 assists in 12 games last season.

Alocen’s best season with Los Blancos was his first; despite starting the 2020-21 season as a teenager, he averaged 3.9 points and 2.2 assists over 13:24 minutes in 28 games. Alocen suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in February 2022 and missed the entire 2022-23 season,  although he was credited as becoming a EuroLeague champion with Real that season.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">📝 Carlos Alocén refuerza la dirección de juego del Dreamland Gran Canaria.<br><br>▪ El base maño, procedente del Real Madrid, se suma al proyecto del próximo curso.<br><br>👀 <a href="https://t.co/D1HLFfF1bu">https://t.co/D1HLFfF1bu</a> <a href="https://t.co/RPEJZ6iAuS">pic.twitter.com/RPEJZ6iAuS</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1803124951244775871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The son of former pro Alberto Alocen, Carlos played in Zaragoza’s youth system and began his professional career with that club before joining Real. He has played for Spain at the junior and senior levels. Alocen helped Spain win the gold medal at the 2016 European U16 Championship and the silver at the U20 Euros three years later.

Best of Carlos Alocen: 2023-24

Alocen has spent the past four seasons with Real Madrid

In a season rich with magical moments and historic feats, who better to highlight them than the people who covered the league closest? We have asked the reporters from EuroLeague.net to reflect on their favorite moments from the 2023-34 campaign. 

Codi Miller-McIntyre's magical night

### Miller-McIntyre's magical night

Of all the great feats this season, I think it’s only natural to feel most attached to those that you saw unfold in real-time. I imagine fans and reporters alike, when they see a player start a game hot, do some quick math and make statements like “this player is on pace to score 50 points” or “this guy could set a record,” etc. And on February 8, I was counting those stats in real-time.

[Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) started red hot for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in [Round 26 against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/230/). When he went to the bench late in the first quarter with 5 rebounds and 7 assists, it seemed like anything was possible. A triple-double? Maybe. A record for assists? Possible. Both? Unlikely I thought to myself. And then I watched Miller-McIntyre continue to shred the ASVEL defense with 5 more assists in the second quarter.

Codi Miller-McIntyre and the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history

With Baskonia up 13 at halftime and his stat line showing 2 points, 7 boards and 12 dimes, the second half was bound to be a stat watch. The assists kept flowing, but hope of a triple-double started to fade when Miller-McIntyre – still on 2 points – had his first attempt in the fourth quarter rejected. But then came a triple and the count was on. With 3:48 left, he tied the EuroLeague single-game record with 19 assists. With 2:17 on the clock, Chima Moneke flushed an alley-oop pass from Miller-McIntyre for the record-setting 20th assist. And then, with 1:19 to go, he made free throws to give him 11 points and the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history. As someone sitting in the press box when Nikola Vujcic had the first two in competition history, it was pretty exciting watching this majestic and historic performance from Codi Miller-McIntyre for my personal favorite memory from the season.  

In a season rich with magical moments and historic feats, who better to highlight them than the people who covered the league closest? We have asked the reporters from EuroLeague.net to reflect on their favorite moments from the 2023-24 campaign. 

My favorite moment from 2023-24: Frankie Sachs

Aris Midea Thessaloniki has secured the future of star player Vassilis Toliopoulos, who has penned a new contract at the club.

Aris re-signs star playmaker Vassilis Toliopoulos

Aris Midea Thessaloniki has secured the future of star player [Vassilis Toliopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/vassilis-toliopoulos/004292/), who has penned a new contract at the club. Toliopoulos (1.86 meters, 28 years old) averaged 14.4 points and 3.6 assists in 17 BKT EuroCup games last season, ranking sixth overall in free-throw percentage (91.9% FT). He is currently in his second stint with Aris and is set to play his third consecutive season with his current club. 

He started his career with Panionios Athens, and also played for Ikaros Kallitheas, VAP Kolossos Rhodes and Olympiacos Piraeus before joining Aris for the first time in January 2019. Toliopoulos went on to play for AEK Athens, Ionikos and PAOK Thessaloniki before re-joining Aris ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He Stays!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/arisbc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#arisbc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/toliopoulos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#toliopoulos</a><a href="https://t.co/Vx0NbUe9Ip">https://t.co/Vx0NbUe9Ip</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1803046821700272390?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Toliopoulos helped AEK win the Greek Cup title in 2020, while he previously claimed the Greek League crown with Olympiacos in 2016. He has also been a member of the Greek national team. He was part of the Greece squad that won a bronze medal at the 2016 U20 European Championship, too.

Vassilis Toliopoulos of Aris averaged 14.4 points and 3.6 assists in 17 BKT EuroCup games last season, ranking sixth overall in free throw percentage (91.9% FT).

2023-24 EuroCup highlighs: Vassilis Toliopoulos, Aris

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana added versatile guard Brynton Lemar on a one-year deal, the club announced Tuesday. 

Cedevita Olimpija brings in Brynton Lemar

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana added versatile guard Brynton Lemar on a one-year deal, the club announced Tuesday. Lemar (1.91 meters, 29 years old) arrives from Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, where he averaged 11.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13 Israeli League games last season.

He started his professional career with SLUC Nancy of France, and has also played for Caen Basket Calvados and Le Mans Sarthe Basket in France, Sopron of Hungary, MKS Start Lublin of Poland, Gaziantep Basketbol of Turkiye, Reggio Emilia of Italy, Enisey Krasnoyarsk of Russia and AEK Athens of Greece. Lemar is set to make his BKT EuroCup debut with Cedevita. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We have a new member of the Dragons family!<br><br>Welcome to Ljubljana, <a href="https://twitter.com/brynton_lemar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brynton_lemar</a>! 💚🧡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> <a href="https://t.co/82jPjKv4oU">pic.twitter.com/82jPjKv4oU</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1803036348665696661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I am very excited to join the team and this organization, and at the same time very happy to be here. I am looking forward to playing in the ABA League and the EuroCup, and I will do my best to help the team and help win as many games as possible," Lemar said after the agreement. "Our goal is to be very competitive in all the competitions we enter and win as many games as possible. I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity that Cedevita Olimpija gave me. I believe that we have a great season ahead of us."

The guard will make his EuroCup debut next season 

Cedevita Olimpija brings in Brynton Lemar 

The basketball career of Ioannis Papapetrou got a fairytale touch to it when Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens won the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown in Berlin to end the season. 

Tribute to the Champs: Ioannis Papapetrou

It is not often that a player wins the EuroLeague with his favorite club, and makes a significant contribution while doing so. That's exactly what happened with [Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/). But his story did not always look like it would develop this way.

The 30-year-old forward, a former team captain who grew up a Panathinaikos fand as the son of a former club legend, returned to the Greens last summer for his second stint with the club. This season, however, things were far from ideal for Papapetrou who fought injuries for the better part of the season, made only one appearance in the first 22 rounds, and played in only three games before Round 27.

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7g3DYDNXVm/?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/C7g3DYDNXVm/?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;">Ver esta publicación en 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/C7g3DYDNXVm/?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">Una publicación compartida de Ioannis Papapetrou (@pap_33)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

But with injuries and doubts finally behind him, and after getting some playing time during the final stretch of the regular season, Papapetrou started to display some of the best basketball we have seen from him in recent years in what appeared to be the club's most important games in more than a decade.

After a brief appearance in the playoff series opener against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Papapetrou played more than 28 minutes per game in the last four games of the series and in those averaged 12.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

In Berlin, Papapetrou was team's fourth best scorer with 9 points, and also collected 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the semis against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Then two days later, Papapetrou contributed with 4 points in 18 minutes of action in a championship game win against Real Madrid.

Suddenly Papapaterou became an instrumental part of what Panathinaikos does on both ends of the floor and that continued at the Final Four. In Berlin, he was the team's fourth-best scorer with 9 points and also collected 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the semis against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Then two days later, Papapetrou contributed 4 points in 18 minutes of action in the championship game win against Real Madrid.

It was the third championship game appearance of his career in his 11th season in the competition - and fifth with Panathinaikos. And now, Papapetrou can finally call himself a EuroLeague champion.

Valencia Basket has confirmed the signing of Nate Sestina, who has joined from Fenerbahçe Beko.

Valencia signs forward Nate Sestina

Valencia Basket has confirmed the arrival of Nate Sestina, who has penned a two-year contract at the club. Sestina (2.05 meters, 27 years old) joins the club from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and comes off a rookie Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season in which he averaged 3.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and a 2.9 PIR as the Turkish side made the Final Four.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🧡🎨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TaquillaSestina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TaquillaSestina</a> <br><br>Cas 👉 Valencia Basket incorpora al ala-pívot <a href="https://twitter.com/NateSestina23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natesestina23</a> para las dos próximas temporadas<a href="https://t.co/qCDE0iwviN">https://t.co/qCDE0iwviN</a><br><br>Val 👉 Valencia Basket incorpora a l&#39;ala-pivot Nate Sestina per a les dues pròximes temporades<a href="https://t.co/ZhFXb1uHNp">https://t.co/ZhFXb1uHNp</a><br><br>Eng 👉 Nate… <a href="https://t.co/cPyVwrGLKc">pic.twitter.com/cPyVwrGLKc</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1803012284018516404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Curiously, Sestina's performances got better as the season went on in the EuroLeague. In 28 regular-season games, Sestina averaged 2.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and a 2.2 PIR in 10 minutes. Then, as Fenerbahce beat AS Monaco 3-2 in the EuroLeague Playoffs, Sestina boosted his numbers to 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and a 5.0 PIR in 17 minutes on the floor. At the Final Four, Sestina played almost 18 minutes per game and posted 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and a 7.0 PIR.

The top plays of new Valencia Basket signing Nate Sestina while playing for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Sestina's best plays in 2023-24

The American earned his move to Fenerbahce last summer after a standout season at Turk Telekom Ankara, where he averaged 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist and a 9.0 PIR as his team reached the BKT EuroCup Final in 2022-23. Sestina's professional career began with the G League's Long Island Nets in 2020-21, then saw out the remainder of that campaign in Israel with Hapoel Holon. He then spent the 2021-22 season with Merkezefendi before continuing his Turkish adventure with Turk Telekom and Fenerbahce. Sestina will now play in Spain for the first time in his career.

More Valencia News

New Valencia Basket signing Nate Sestina in action for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

He heads to Spain after three years in Turkiye

Buducnost VOLI has confirmed that guard McKinley Wright has renewed his contract at the club.

McKinley Wright renews at Buducnost

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica has confirmed that guard [McKinley Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mckinley-wright-iv/012606/) has renewed his contract at the club for the coming season. Wright (1.80 meters, 25 years old) joined Buducnost last summer and went on to average 11.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and an 11.9 PIR in 18 games in his debut BKT EuroCup campaign.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Year two ✌️<a href="https://t.co/dfjOquTXTi">https://t.co/dfjOquTXTi</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkb</a> <a href="https://t.co/YzkmO5kcYm">pic.twitter.com/YzkmO5kcYm</a></p>&mdash; KK Budućnost VOLI (@KKBuducnostVOLI) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKBuducnostVOLI/status/1802765103156121638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wright hit the ground running in his first EuroCup season, scoring at least 13 points in his first four games and netting as many as 21 points in Round 4. Then, in Round 8, the American guard set a new personal high with 22 points before netting a season-high 23 points in Round 11.

Buducnost just missed out on the EuroCup Playoffs after posting an 8-10 record and finishing seventh in Group B. Domestically, the team won the Montenegrin championship after beating SC Derby 3-1 in the finals.

More Buducnost News

McKinley Wright in action for Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup season.

The American guard is staying put at the Montenegrin side

Final Four One Team in photos

Zalgiris Kaunas made the top scorer in the EuroCup last season, Deividas Sirvydis, its first signing ahead of the 2024-25 season. 

Zalgiris tabs EuroCup’s top scorer, Deividas Sirvydis

Zalgiris Kaunas made the top scorer in the EuroCup last season, [Deividas Sirvydis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/deividas-sirvydis/007029/), its first signing ahead of the 2024-25 season. On Tuesday the club announced the deal, which is for two seasons with an option for a third. Sirvydis (2.04 meters, 24 years old) shined with 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys last season and averaged 18.9 points on 42.3% three-point shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He led the EuroCup in scoring and was second with 2.8 three-pointers made per game. Sirvydis was chosen to the 2023-24 All-EuroCup Second Team. He also helped Lietkabelis finish third in the Lithuanian League.   

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Please welcome, #91 Deividas Sirvydis! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/wgD2D0a0bO">pic.twitter.com/wgD2D0a0bO</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1802949855205060646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### A splendid youth career with Zalgiris’s rival

Sirvydis came up through the youth system at Rytas Vilnius. He made waves at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament when he led U18 Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius to the 2018 crown with a victory over Stellazzurra Rome in the championship game. [Sirvydis was named tournament MVP](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/news/rytas-guard-sirvydis-named-angt-mvp/) after he averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals in the finals. Before that, he was the MVP at the ANGT Kaunas qualifying event, too.

Already that season, Sirvydis broke into Rytas's senior team and made a pair of appearances in the EuroCup. The following season, he was already a rotation player and started in 11 of his 17 games played. Over 35 games in three EuroCup seasons with Rytas, Sirvydis made 40 of his 96 three-point attempts (41.7%) while averaging 5.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in 14:07 minutes. He also helped Rytas win the 2019 Lithuanian Cup.

Best of Deividas Sirvydis: 2023-24

### Moving abroad

Sirvydis first went abroad to play in Israel for Hapoel Jerusalem in 2020 when the Israeli League season resumed following the COVID-19 pandemic. He also played for the club in the Basketball Champions League. Then, the Detroit Pistons, who had selected Sirvydis in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft, signed him to a multi-year deal. Sirvydis played in 20 games for Detroit in the 2020-21 campaign and 3 the following season. He also played 21 games for Detroit's G-League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.

After splitting the 2022-23 season between the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and the Wisconsin Herd in the G-League, Sirvydis decided to return home to Lithuania and proved his scoring skills with Lietkabelis in the EuroCup. He is now set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Zalgiris.

More Zalgiris news

The sharpshooter averaged 18.9 points in 16 EuroCup games last season

Zalgiris tabs EuroCup top scorer Deividas Sirvydis

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv outlasted crosstown rival Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 82-74 on Monday night to win the Israeli League championship for the 57th time. 

Maccabi claims its 57th Israeli championship

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv outlasted crosstown rival Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 82-74 on Monday night to win the Israeli League championship for the 57th time. After trailing by 1 at the start of the fourth quarter, Maccabi outscored Hapoel 28-19 in the final stanza to lock up the title.

The winners were led by their big men as Roman Sorkin posted 19 points and 9 rebounds, Jasiel Rivero added 16 and 8 and Josh Nebo contributed 12 points. Lorenzo Brown added 12 points and 5 assists for Maccabi. Tyler Ennis led Hapoel with 17 points, Tomer Ginat and Xavier Munford scored 15 each and Jaylen Hoard had 11 in defeat.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">יש אליפות למכבי! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D7%99%D7%97%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%9A?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#יחדכלהדרך</a> <a href="https://t.co/LsFlRGtZJh">pic.twitter.com/LsFlRGtZJh</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1802806151412945136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hapoel jumped out to a 2-7 start and when Hoard heated up the margin grew to 14-21. John DiBartolomeo and Sorkin combined on a 7-0 run to tie things before Munford’s triples gave the visitors a 21-24 lead after 10 minutes. Three-pointers by Rafi Menco, Tamir Blatt and Sorkin fueled an 11-0 Maccabi run. Ginat and Hoard answered to bring Hapoel within 34-29. Hapoel’s frontline continued to shine and a triple by Ennis brought the visitors within 39-38 at the break.

Braian Angola’s steal and three-point play gave Hapoel the lead at the start of the second half. Kyle Alexander and Ginat kept Hapoel ahead, with the lead reaching 48-54. Sorkin and Brown drew Maccabi within 54-55 at the end of the third quarter. Maccabi regained the lead on a three by Blatt to begin the final stanza of the season. Brown and Sorkin scored in a 7-0 run to give Maccabi breathing room. Rivero extended the margin to 68-59 with 3 and a half minutes to go as the home fans started to celebrate. Hapoel never gave in, but Maccabi was too strong down the stretch.

A strong fourth quarter made the difference as Maccabi won for the sixth time in seven years