Name: Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Making picks with Arale
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

**Community Partner:** AMPANS

**Social Issue:** Physical and intellectual disabilities

**Ambassadors:** [Retin Obasohan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/retin-obasohan/011938/)

**Main Life Skills:** Confidence, Leadership, Perseverance, Respect, and Teamwork

**About the Program:**

Through its partnership with AMPANS, BAXI Manresa will use basketball as a tool for inclusion and social change. Together, they have built a strong relationship over more than fifteen years, united by shared values of respect, community, and empowerment.

The 2025–2026 One Team program focuses on promoting inclusion for adults with physical and intellectual disabilities through adapted basketball sessions. The aim is to foster personal growth, social connection, and self-confidence among participants while strengthening the club’s ties with its local community. Each session develops essential life skills such as teamwork, respect, confidence, leadership, and perseverance — all core values that reflect the spirit of both BAXI Manresa and AMPANS.

Participants are also invited to attend BAXI Manresa games, meet players, and celebrate their achievements during the season. These experiences create lasting memories and a genuine sense of belonging, demonstrating how basketball can help build bridges, reduce barriers, and promote equality for all.

Through this initiative, BAXI Manresa reaffirms its commitment to being more than a sports club — a catalyst for inclusion, community engagement, and positive social impact in the region.

Our programs - BAXI Manresa

**Community Partner:** Primary schools and kindergartens of Chemnitz´s Sonnenberg district

**Social Issue:** Social Inclusion: Poverty

**Ambassadors:** [Kostja Mushidi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kostja-mushidi/006634/)

**Main Life Skills:** Teamwork, Fairness, Discipline, Motivation and Resilience.

**About the Program:**

NINERS Chemnitz’s One Team project leverages the club's role as a social actor in Chemnitz's diverse Sonnenberg district to deliver a low-threshold basketball program targeting youth from multicultural and socially challenged communities.

Partnering with one primary school and three kindergartens, the collaboration benefits the club by fostering connections with local social development leaders for sustained community impact. The program’s core goals are to ensure all children, irrespective of background or finances, access sports and physical activity; enhance social inclusion by uniting kids from varied cultural and socioeconomic groups; link schools, clubs, youth centers, and local entities for coordinated, long-term initiatives; and instill values like teamwork, fairness, discipline, and resilience to support personal development. Fun drives participation, with retention ensured through engaging sessions, an autograph event with One Team Ambassador Kostja Mushidi, and incentives like diplomas or game tickets for consistent attendance. Promotion includes recording content during a dedicated One Team Media Day, featuring basketball stations, an All-Star Game with Mushidi, and an autograph session and shared via press officers and local media.

Our programs - NINERS Chemnitz

**Community Partner:** Pestalozzi School

**Social Issue:** Intellectual disabilities

**Ambassador**: [Len Schoormann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/len-schoormann/009180/)

**Main Life Skills:** Inclusiveness, Social engagement, Teamwork

**About the program:**

ratiopharm ulm’s One Team program, in its third year partnering with the Pestalozzi School, will foster community cohesion for boys and girls aged 10–12 with learning disabilities. The programs´ objectives include developing life skills through basketball, teaching teamwork, promoting personal growth, and ensuring fun. Each of the on-court sessions will emphasize team building through pair or group drills (e.g., dribbling, passing, or command-based activities like forming a square on a whistle or shooting on a clap), encouraging students to collaborate, problem-solve independently, and consider others, regardless of differences.

These activities, tailored to individual challenges, help students build basketball skills, confidence, and social awareness, making them feel safe, included, and active within the community. A One Team Ambassador will visit sessions, and the program may be promoted at the club’s “OrangeDinner” charity event alongside other CSR initiatives. With the fun-focused sessions ensure all participants feel included, learn new skills, and grow in confidence and social awareness within a supportive community.

The program also encourages participants to solve problems independently or as a team, fostering critical thinking and adaptability. Practices are tailored to meet the specific needs of each player, ensuring a supportive environment that empowers young individuals through the sport of basketball. Through this initiative, Ulm and Lebenshilfe Senden are making a meaningful impact in the lives of these athletes.

Our programs - ratiopharm Ulm 

**Community Partner:** Father Martin Luther’s Evangelical Center of Diakonia and Education

**Social Issue:** Physical and Intellectual Disabilities

**Ambassadors:** [Błażej Kulikowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/blazej-kulikowski/013918/)

**Main Life Skills:** Self-confidence, Teamwork, Respect, Ambition, Decision-making

**About the Program:**

Father Martin Luther’s Evangelical Center of Diakonia and Education, established in 1999 by the Wrocław Diocese of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church, focuses on educating children and youth, particularly those with physical and intellectual disabilities, to support their development. Serving individuals aged 7 to 24 from across Poland, the center offers free special education through its Primary School, General Secondary School, Technical Secondary School of Economics, First Level Industry School, and School Preparing for Work. The primary goal of ECDiE is to foster students’ self-confidence by nurturing their individual abilities.

Śląsk Wrocław’s One Team program designed to promote disability equality and enhance social skills among boys and girls aged 10–18 with physical and intellectual disabilities. The program aims to improve participants’ self-confidence, teamwork, respect, and ambition, demonstrating that limitations can be transformed into strengths through basketball. Each week focuses on a specific life skill, such as teamwork, communication, decision-making, empathy and many others. Ambassador Błażej Kulikowski will be attending sessions to inspire participants, fostering an inclusive environment where young people are empowered to overcome social barriers and feel confident in their abilities. To make the experience fun and engaging, the program includes varied drills beyond basketball, for example, meetings with Śląsk Wrocław players, and visits to a Śląsk Wrocław BKT EuroCup home game.

Our programs - Slask Wroclaw

**Community Partner:** Youth care centre ¨Malči Belič Ljubljana¨

**Social Issue:** Community Cohesion: Youth At Risk

**Ambassadors:** [Ziga Daneu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ziga-daneu/009431/)

**Main Life Skills:** Communication, Empathy, Adaptivity, Teamwork, Courtesy

**About the Program:**

Youth care centre Malči Belič Ljubljana is a Slovenian non-profit Centre in the domain of the Ministry of School, Science and Sport. The Centre educates children and youngsters with emotional and behavioral problems, as well as those with learning disabilities (children with special needs). The institution offers and assures complete care, 24 hours per day, throughout the year, for its inhabitants. The Centre provides shelter for both sexes, aged between 6-17, which are included in primary (or secondary) schools. The Centre is a composition of a three-winged building, there are two educational groups (families) in each wing. They have six groups with 10 inhabitants altogether. Capacity of the Centre is 60 inhabitants maximum.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubjana’s One Team program for this season is titled ‘PERSONAL GROWTH’. The program aims to provide additional sports activities, for children aged 7-17, both male and female, with a focus on helping young people with certain disabilities develop essential social skills for everyday life and active community participation. Conducted in collaboration with the Youth Care Centre Malči Belič Ljubljana, One Team Coaches, One Team ambassador and basketball players, it offers a “safe space” for 8-15 children per session to overcome their challenges. Additional activities, such as trips, special days, and business skills' development, are also planned. Besides the social life, basketball and business skills' development, club will also expand their One Team program through personal growth as healthy diet, how to cook, potential trips to other countries to expend participants understanding on foreign cultures.

Our programs - Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

**Community Partner:**  Münchner Waisenhaus (Munich orphanage) and Just M (The Young Refugee Center)

**Social Issue:** Community Cohesion and Refugees

**Ambassadors:** [Niels Giffey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/niels-giffey/001557/) and [Oscar da Silva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/oscar-da-silva/011244/)

**Main Life Skills:** Social integration, Self-belief, Respect, Communication, Empathy, Teamwork

**About the Program:**

Münchner Waisenhaus (Munich orphanage) is a contemporary child and youth welfare organization with services for children and young people aged 0-20 years old. It offers a wide range of educational support in a stationary and day-care setting with differentiated social and curative education as well as psychological treatment options. FC Bayern Munich’s One Team program is completed by youths from the Young Refugee Centre (YRC), which is part of the Just M youth welfare association. The YRC is the first point of contact for underage refugees who come to Germany unaccompanied. From there on, they are prepared for the move to a permanent residential home.

FC Bayern Munich’s One Team project, in its second season of partnership with the Münchner Waisenhaus and the YRC, is aimed at fostering community cohesion for of all genders aged 8–18, including refugees. Held at BMW Park, SAP Garden, and Pineapple Park in Munich, the program allows participants to train at professional venues and attend FC Bayern games, offering a break from their everyday lives, often spent in accommodation. The main objectives are to strengthen participants’ self-esteem, enhance their sense of inclusion in society, and teach vital values such as respect, empathy, and teamwork. By leveraging the established partnership with the Münchner Waisenhaus, a long-standing collaborator of the Regine Sixt Children's Aid Foundation, and the YRC, the program not only builds on a trusted network but also creates meaningful opportunities for young people to connect and grow through basketball.

This partnership underscores FC Bayern’s dedication to leveraging sports to drive positive change, nurture community ties, and support the integration of vulnerable youth in Germany.

Our programs - FC Bayern Munich 

**Community Partner:** Street Fathers CIC

**Social Issue:** Social cohesion - working with at-risk youth to prevent knife crime and gang involvement

**Ambassadors:** [Ovie Soko](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ovie-soko/007133/) and [Amin Adamu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/amin-adamu/014096/)

**Main Life Skills:** Improve participants’ confidence, discipline, communication, trust, teamwork, positive peer relationships and resilience through basketball drills and structured life lessons.

**About The Program:**

Street Fathers CIC is a grassroots organisation working to reduce violence and strengthen communities across London. Their mission is summed up in three pillars- Presence, Protection, Prevention. They provide detached outreach in local “hot spot” areas where violence is most prevalent, aiming to avert incidents, mediate tensions, and prevent escalation. From the community, for the community, Street Fathers connect parent and guardian figures to create a proactive, positive presence on the streets. They focus on empowering fathers to take visible roles in their neighborhoods, supporting single mothers, and guiding young people at risk of gangs and knife crime. Their work helps young people transition into adulthood with role models, counsel, and positive examples that may otherwise be missing in their lives.

The London Lions’ One Team project is designed to foster social cohesion and prevent knife crime and gang involvement among at-risk youth, primarily males aged 11–19. Through weekly two-hour sessions led by two trained basketball coaches and supported by Street Fathers’ community staff and volunteers, the program combines on-court basketball drills with life skills workshops to achieve its core objectives. By connecting young people with inspiring role models, including London Lions ambassadors and mentors, the program offers credible alternatives to negative influences. Each week focuses on a specific life skill, from trust and communication to resilience and goal setting, culminating in a showcase game and celebration event with diplomas and game tickets. Through these efforts, the London Lions’ project empowers participants to make safer, positive choices and equips them with practical strategies to navigate challenges and avoid the dangers of knife crime and gang involvement.

Our programs - London Lions

**Community Partner:** Special School of Kallithea, with the support of the organization "Tzampol Agapis"

**Social Issue:** Disabilities - Intellectual disabilities

**Ambassador:** [Nikos Gkikas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nikos-gkikas/011080/)

**Main Life Skills:** Equality, Inclusion, Integration, and Personal Growth

**About the Program:**

Through the One Team program, Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens reaffirms its belief in basketball as a force for inclusion and community building, using the sport to empower young people with special needs and strengthen ties across the community.

The program will focus on disability equality, promoting inclusion, integration, and personal growth for young people with special needs. Across eight sessions, participants will develop life skills week by week: building trust and communication, fostering teamwork and problem-solving, developing leadership and resilience, and culminating with a final celebration event. The program will also include a reflection session where participants can share their experiences, and two sessions featuring One Team Ambassador Nickos Gkikas, who will actively engage with the group and support their progress. The season will close with a celebration event featuring a final adapted game, social activities, and recognition of achievements.

Communication will play a key role in highlighting the program’s impact. Weekly updates will be shared on Panionios B.C.’s digital platforms. Local media will be invited to cover key milestones, while a dedicated One Team Media Day with Nick Gkikas will showcase the partnership and participants’ progress. Articles will also be published on the club’s official website to give visibility to participant stories and program outcomes.

Our programs - Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens

**Community partner:** Special Olympics Monaco

**Social issues:** Disabilities – Intellectual disabilities

**Ambassadors:** [Yoan Makoundou ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/)and [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/)

**Main Life Skills:** Communication, Confidence, Equality, Integration, Respect and Team Building

**About the Program:**

By maintaining a long-standing collaboration with Special Olympics Monaco (SOM), AS Monaco Basket is helping to lay the foundation for a sustainable social program that will endure for many years to come. The expertise of SOM offers valuable guidance for the club in addressing social issues within the community, while also ensuring that basketball remains a tool for inclusion and positive change. It is a clear demonstration of how basketball can create impact well beyond the court.

This season’s program objectives include developing social and interpersonal skills to foster mutual respect and acceptance of diversity, promoting active listening and clear communication to enhance teamwork, building self-confidence and trust in oneself and in teammates, encouraging positive leadership based on guidance through encouragement, and, of course, using basketball as a fun and safe platform to practice cooperation, creativity, and social values.

Throughout the season, several AS Monaco players will join sessions to further strengthen the bond with participants.

For AS Monaco Basket, One Team is not only about the sessions themselves, but about creating lasting relationships, celebrating diversity, and showing the true power of basketball to unite people and drive social change.

Our Programs - AS Monaco

Anthony Brown is more than a familiar name to European basketball. A former member of the Los Angeles Lakers, he has been playing in Europe since 2018, already has three seasons under his belt in Turkiye, and with Besiktas GAIN Istanbul he is hoping to lift his first continental title by winning the BKT EuroCup.

Anthony Brown on his game-winning shot against Ulm: ‘It was an out-of-body experience’

[Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/) is more than a familiar name to European basketball. A former member of the Los Angeles Lakers, he has been playing in Europe since 2018, already has three seasons under his belt in Turkiye, and with [Besiktas GAIN Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-gain-istanbul/bes/) he is hoping to lift his first continental title by winning the BKT EuroCup.

As the 33-year-old said in an interview with Eurohoops, he is completely convinced that his team can achieve this goal, and he already contributed to that by making a memorable game-winning shot on the road against ratiopharm ulm last week.

He admitted that he didn't say "Kobe" when the ball left his hand; however, he knew that the ball was going in.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1886455/anthony-brown-on-his-game-winning-shot-against-ulm-it-was-an-out-of-body-experience/).

More Besiktas News

The former Laker, who played with the late, great Kobe Bryant in his last season with the storied franchise, channeled his inner Mamba in Germany and talked about the high goals he has with Besiktas

A growing number of players have pursued their options in the EuroLeague, further growing the competition in Europe’s top-tier basketball league. This ongoing trend has attracted several former NBA players, including several who were well-established in North America.

Top 10 NBA signings of this decade in the EuroLeague

A growing number of players have pursued their options in the EuroLeague, further growing the competition in Europe’s top-tier basketball league. This ongoing trend has attracted several former NBA players, including several who were well-established in North America.

Scanning an extensive list of players who made the leap directly from the NBA to the EuroLeague over the past decade, and factoring in their international market value, Eurohoops presents the Top 10 NBA-to-EuroLeague signings of the decade.

We’ve excluded players like Pau Gasol, Ricky Rubio, and Marco Belinelli. While they returned to their former teams after long and successful NBA careers, their situations were different from those on our list.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1886402/top-10-nba-signings-of-this-decade-in-the-euroleague/).

A challenging task of narrowing down a long list of impressive NBA-to-EuroLeague moves is complete

It's time for Episode 5! There is little time to set your EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge lineups for Round 6 this week with eight games on Tuesday night! So tune in now to hear from Frankie Sachs of EuroLeague.net, Sport 24's Vasiliki Karamouza and special guard and expert Arela Weisberg for a special Eastern Mediterranean Episode.

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Making picks with Arale

It's time for Episode 5! There is little time to set your EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge lineups for Round 6 this week with eight games on Tuesday night! So tune in now to hear from [Frankie Sachs](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FMrEuroleague&data=05%7C02%7Cgeoff.gillingham%40euroleague.net%7C8f23c17ba6e24a938a4c08ddff3a0ce8%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638947346960894891%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qhPt96t3ngeIaZ%2FSU%2FA67vi5euxZ5OVn9QfMhhj343M%3D&reserved=0) of [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net), Sport 24's [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fkaramouza_vas&data=05%7C02%7Cgeoff.gillingham%40euroleague.net%7C8f23c17ba6e24a938a4c08ddff3a0ce8%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638947346960937569%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=RuVg%2FRj%2BbH%2FiJbU%2BYkpXVo6vX%2B39lXvvomI9gNtMJLs%3D&reserved=0) and special guard and expert Arale Weisberg for a special Eastern Mediterranean Episode.

The three of them take you through the latest injury news, from the questions surrounding Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, to how to handle Nigel Williams-Goss absence for Zalgiris Kaunas and what to make of Kendrick Nunn and Juancho Hernangomez sitting out Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens’s Greek league win on Sunday.

They also discuss strategy tips for both ends of the two-round week. Additional topics covered were how old Nando De Colo really is, the first-half scoring ability of Lonnie Walker, whether Donatas Motiejunas is the best-priced center in fantasy and if Vasiliki can be trusted to choose head coaches. As a bonus topic, Frankie is asked if Nadir Hifi iffy!

As always, Frankie, Vasiliki and Arale, reveal their teams for Round 7 and react to questions sent in by Fantasy Podcast viewers. Enjoy this episode and best of luck to our fantasy friends in this week's games.

More EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge News

Frankie and Vasiliki are joined by fantasy expert Arale Weisberg for a special Eastern Mediterranean Episode 

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v FC Barcelona (2025-10-31T19:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (2025-10-31T19:15:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-10-31T19:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-10-31T18:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-10-30T20:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Dubai Basketball (2025-10-30T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Virtus Bologna (2025-10-30T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Paris Basketball (2025-10-30T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2025-10-30T19:05:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2025-10-30T18:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v AS Monaco (2025-10-29T19:15:00.000Z)

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2025-10-29T18:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-10-28T20:00:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-10-28T19:45:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (2025-10-28T19:00:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2025-10-28T19:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Dubai Basketball (2025-10-28T19:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv (2025-10-28T19:15:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Virtus Bologna (2025-10-28T18:00:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2025-10-28T18:00:00.000Z)

There aren't really that many secrets to success in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge this season. It's all about the guards. Fatts Russell leads the competition in PIR. Malachi Flynn is third, followed by Arnas Velicka. Last season's MVP Jared Harper, Darius McGhee and Skyler Mays have all been outstanding. How many of these guards can you afford? Well no matter how you build your team, you can’t have them all. So here are some outstanding options for your backcourt at bargain prices, plus one forward to consider, too.

Fantasy tips, Round 5: It's all about the guards

There aren't really that many secrets to success in the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/11) this season. It's all about the guards. Fatts Russell leads the competition in PIR. Malachi Flynn is third, followed by Arnas Velicka. Last season's MVP Jared Harper, Darius McGhee and Skyler Mays have all been outstanding. How many of these guards can you afford? Well no matter how you build your team, you can’t have them all. So here are some outstanding options for your backcourt at bargain prices, plus one forward to consider, too.

Something to keep in mind for Round 5: Only three games are on Tuesday, so that should boost some of those players in value. Best to let them play and see what you can get, knowing there are so many players you can replace them with on Wednesday. With that said, happy shopping!

### Nike Sibande, NINERS Chemnitz (8.5 credits)

Perhaps not the most explosive player on this list, [Nike Sibande](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nike-sibande/013889/) is someone who knows how to contribute whenever he takes the floor. Sibande has scored in double figures in three of his games this far and in the fourth, he collected 11 rebounds – as a guard! If you invest in stars, you need players like Sibande to balance the lineup.

### Umoja Gibson, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (8.1 credits)

The point guard is in his third professional season and after a slow debut in Round 1, [Umoja Gibson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/umoja-gibson/013855/) has been dynamite the last few weeks. He has averaged 17.7 points and 5.7 assists for a PIR of 18.7 in the last three games. Gibson has a big role on a good team and is still at a desirable price.

### Berk Ugurlu, Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (7.9 credits)

This is [Berk Ugurlu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/berk-ugurlu/003783/)'s fourth EuroCup campaign and third in a row with Besiktas. And so far, it’s his best by far. Ugurlu has heated up recently to the tune of 9.0 points and 7.3 assists for a PIR of 18.3 over the last three games. Even if he can’t keep it up, it's still outstanding value for his price.

### Augustin Ubal, BAXI Manresa (7.2 credits)

It’s always risky to take a reserve player, especially one who only recently turned 22. But [Augustin Ubal](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/agustin-ubal/010062/) has been outstanding off the Manresa bench. Over his last three games, Ubal has posted 11.3 points on 70.6% shooting and 4.0 rebounds for a PIR of 14.7. He's been nearly as good in the Spanish League, so it's no fluke!

### Jakub Urbaniak, Slask Wroclaw (5.3 credits)

It always helps to have a lottery ticket at the end of the bench. [Jakub Urbaniak](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jakub-urbaniak/012777/) is a player on the rise. His PIR has risen in every game this season and over the lats three, he's been worth 9.0 points on 57.9% shooting, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals for a PIR of 9.0. Only 22 years old, Urbaniak has a bright future ahead of him.

More EuroCup Fantasy Challenge News

Frankie Sachs offers fantasy managers some recommendations for this week's games

London Lions v Turk Telekom Ankara (2025-10-29T19:30:00.000Z)

BAXI Manresa v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2025-10-29T19:45:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Neptunas Klaipeda (2025-10-29T18:30:00.000Z)

NINERS Chemnitz v ratiopharm ulm (2025-10-29T18:00:00.000Z)

Slask Wroclaw v Umana Reyer Venice (2025-10-29T18:00:00.000Z)

Besiktas GAIN Istanbul v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2025-10-29T16:00:00.000Z)

Lietkabelis Panevezys v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2025-10-29T17:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (2025-10-28T19:00:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2025-10-28T18:30:00.000Z)

Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2025-10-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Welcome to this season's second edition of the EuroLeague Power Rankings. The following list is the brainchild of EuroLeague.net's team of experts, which is made up of Geoff Gillingham, Javier Gancedo, Frankie Sachs and Igor Petrinovic. 

Power rankings: Red teams on the rise

Welcome to this season's second edition of the EuroLeague Power Rankings. The following list is the brainchild of [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net)'s team of experts, which is made up of Geoff Gillingham, Javier Gancedo, Frankie Sachs and Igor Petrinovic. The rankings are not a prediction of what the final standings will look like, but rather where all 20 teams stand – in their humble opinions – today, entering Round 7.

### 1. Olympiacos Piraeus (4-2)

The top team on all four ballots, Olympiacos has remained within striking distance of the top of the standings despite only six players appearing in all six games thus far. When fully healthy, the Reds are a force to be reckoned with.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Tyler Dorsey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyler-dorsey/009849/) is killing it with 17.2 points per game after averaging 3.3 points in 20 appearances last season.

### 2. Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (5-1)

Coach Dimitris Itoudis still has it. With an effective nine-man rotation, Hapoel is playing crisp and exciting offensive basketball with the right mix of blue-collar defenders to get under opponents’ skin. Its record speaks for itself.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/) is making the EuroLeague look easier than the EuroCup. Having made 17-of-31 three-pointers (54.8%) and scored in double figures in every game, he is averaging more points (15.2 PPG) than he did as a EuroCup champ last season (13.4 PPG).

### 3. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (4-2)

The alarm bells have been rung with a home loss to Barca, a 17-point defeat at Virtus, and some inconsistent play. But the bottom line is Panathinaikos is stacked and it’s hard to believe the Greens won't catch fire soon.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/) was a big-time contributor in his first season with Panathinaikos and now in his second, he has taken a huge step forward increasing his scoring (9.6 to 16.4 PPG), three-point shooting (37.7% to 50%), assists (0.7 to 1.4 APG), and PIR (8.5 to 16.0). Even though he is playing more, his production has been beyond expectations.

### 4. AS Monaco (3-3)

Despite a stop-start beginning to this season, there’s no denying the quality Monaco possesses. Able to lean on a core of [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/), [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jaron-blossomgame/011231/), [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) and [Matthew Strazel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matthew-strazel/008099/), who are now in their fourth season together, the bumps should soon iron themselves out. The best of [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) is still to come, too.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) is back to his best. The center, who was playing catch-up last season after returning to Europe in mid-February, had a strong showing at EuroBasket 2025 and has carried that form into the new campaign. With Theis fully established in coach Vassilis Spanoulis’s system, he has become an even more important player for a Monaco side hoping to go all the way this year.

### 5. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (3-3)

The reigning champs are not playing good basketball, and that’s according to head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. But after brutal back-to-back home losses, Fenerbahce put its championship experience on display, showed its teeth and proved it knows how to win.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) was still recovering from last season’s ACL tear when this campaign opened, but he has returned to the floor and over the last three games has made 9-of-17 three-point attempts. Seeing Wilbekin finding his feet post-injury is great news for any basketball fan.

### 6. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (4-2)

Sporting a four-game winning streak, Zvezda is playing its brand of high-energy basketball. The team certainly benefited from a prolonged homestand, but winning each of the last three games by 9 points or more, including a 15-point beating of Real Madrid, cannot be overlooked.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Jordan Nwora](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-nwora/013363/) came to the EuroLeague last season with Efes with a pedigree of a lethal scorer and he certainly looks the part so far this season, averaging 19.7 points and 5.7 rebounds through six games.

### 7. Zalgiris Kaunas (4-2)

It’s been a fantastic start for the Lithuanian giants, even though they have only played at home twice so far! The only team to win its first three games of the season, Zalgiris then dropped two before striking in Barcelona. There seems to be something special about coach Tomas Masulius's side.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) is not just putting up fantastic numbers, he is doing so after a health scare cost him much of last season. The athletic big man seems as strong and hungry as ever, which has been a big boost for Zalgiris so far.

### 8. Paris Basketball (4-2)

Since Round 2, Paris is 4-1 – and its only loss came by one point. First-year coach Francesco Tabellini has already instilled his methods at the capital club, while [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) has done an incredible job of filling the TJ Shorts-sized hole on offense. It’s hard to believe that Paris is playing maybe even faster than it did last season.

**Pleasant surprise:** It has to be Hifi. We already knew how talented he was last season as a sidekick to Shorts, but he is now *the* man. Leading the EuroLeague in scoring (22.8 PPG) and steals (2.3 SPG), as well as being third in PIR (21.5), says it all. Forget the Prince of Paris nickname; he’s the King of Paris.

### 9. Real Madrid (3-3)

Saying that Real Madrid has been like Jekyll and Hyde might be an understatement, but its perfect 3-0 record at home and 0-3 record on the road says it all. Once coach Sergio Scariolo finds the consistency that he has been demanding, *Los Blancos* could be a problem.

**Pleasant surprise:** How well the NBA guys – [Trey Lyles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/trey-lyles/014117/) and [Chuma Okeke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chuma-okeke/014006/) – have adjusted to the EuroLeague. They are the team’s two leaders in both PIR and rebounding, while they are second and fourth respectively in scoring. Lyles and Okeke seem to be going from strength to strength.

### 10. Virtus Bologna (4-2)

Home wins over Real Madrid, Monaco and Panathinaikos – three of the last four EuroLeague finalists – to start the season have brought a renewed energy into the PalaDozza. [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) has already become an icon among the Virtus fans and is second in the EuroLeague in scoring (20.3 PPG). If he can keep scoring 20-plus points like he has in the last three rounds, Virtus’s three-game winning streak should continue.

**Pleasant surprise:** Making the jump from the EuroCup to the EuroLeague is always a challenge, but 21-year-old forward [Saliou Niang](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/saliou-niang/012687/) has made it look easy. His non-stop energy on both ends of the floor – particularly on the boards (he averages a team-high 5.5 RPG) – has already made him an important part of Virtus’s rotation.

### 11. FC Barcelona (3-3)

Inconsistency has plagued Barcelona for the last few years, and that shows no sign of changing. Capable of beating the best teams in the league on one night and losing unexpectedly the next, Barcelona needs to get more out of its veteran-heavy roster if it is to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2023.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) adapting quickly to Barcelona isn’t much of a surprise, so let's go with [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-parra/007464/). The forward is on pace for a career year across the board – in points, rebounds, assists and steals – and is coming off two impressive performances in Rounds 5 and 6, albeit in defeats.

### 12. Valencia Basket (3-3)

One of the most enjoyable teams to watch this season, and with a brand-new arena to boot, Valencia has looked right at home at the EuroLeague level. The return of [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jean-montero/010042/) from injury has given Valencia an even greater threat on offense in particular, as shown with his game-winning three-pointer in a shootout at Milan in Round 6.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Omari Moore](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omari-moore/014115/) didn’t take long to catch people’s attention. In his just second season in Europe, the EuroLeague rookie has shown remarkable consistency through his first six games, Round 5 aside. Being two rebounds away from a triple-double on his EuroLeague debut (12-8-10) says everything you need to know about Moore’s play.

### 13. Dubai Basketball (3-3)

The EuroLeague debutants have had some major highs, but also as many big lows in this early going. Dubai could not avoid its share of injuries and faces a travel challenge greater than any other team in competition history. It also has to prove that those flashes of brilliant play can become more than just flashes.

**Pleasant surprise:** It is great to see [Dwayne Bacon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dwayne-bacon/011286/) continue where he left off. After two years away from the competition, Bacon is back and averaging 15.7 points, just above his career average, and also delivering 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals.

### 14. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2-4)

Efes showed how high its ceiling is by beating Olympiacos in Piraeus, but since then entered frontcourt troubles with injuries to its big men, including losing Georgios Papagiannis for the season. And the offense is clearly not clicking as only one team averages fewer than Efes’s 80.8 points per game.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Ercan Osmani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ercan-osmani/012710/) showed out for Turkiye at EuroBasket 2025 in September and carried the momentum into this season. Despite playing only 2:30 in Round 5 before sustaining a shoulder injury, which significantly lowered his averages, he is still posting 12.2 points and 3.5 rebounds, and playing 23 minutes per game.

### 15. Partizan Mozzartbet Belgrade (3-3)

This position is not just a recency bias, due to its 18-point home loss against hot-shooting Paris, but that game served as a reality-check of what Partizan is facing with playmaker Carlik Jones sidelined with a foot injury until at least mid-January. None of the team's next four opponents have a losing record.

**Pleasant surprise:** Scoring guard [Duane Washington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/duane-washington/013370/) caught fire late in Round 4 and cleared any doubts that he can be a go-to option when Partizan needs points. His next step, in the absence of Carlik Jones, is also successfully creating for his teammates.

### 16. Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv (2-4)

Maccabi is a work in progress and when it has flashed its best self, it has been very impressive. Of course, when it has struggled, things have looked bad. That said, there is plenty of room for optimism as the newcomers seem to fit better from week to week and home games are set to return to Tel Aviv in December.

**Pleasant surprise:** Of all the new additions, [Oshae Brissett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/o-shae-j-brissett/014127/) has posted the best numbers and coach Oded Kattash left him on the floor for all but 108 seconds of the Round 6 win over Real Madrid. He may not be the go-to scorer, but Brissett has been a great find for Maccabi.

### 17. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2-4)

It’s the same old problem for Milan: injuries. [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/), [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) and [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) have all missed time so far this season and it’s unclear when they’ll be back, with the timetables shifting. Still, Milan has shown incredible fight in its last two games to come back from sizeable deficits, even if it ended up on the losing side in Round 6. There’s talent on this team, Milan just needs to get more luck from the injury gods.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Quinn Ellis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/quinn-ellis/012593/) entered this season with the goal of trying to force his way into the rotation, but the injury to Brown has seen him handed the keys far earlier than he would have expected. The 22-year-old English guard took his game to another level in Rounds 5 and 6, which can only spell good news for coach Ettore Messina.

### 18. FC Bayern Munich (2-4)

This was not how Bayern management saw things going this season, but injuries have kept the team from playing with the envisioned lineups. Bayern is last in the league in scoring (75.7 PPG) with a league-average defense. That is not a good recipe for success.

**Pleasant surprise:** [Andreas Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/) has shown that he is no longer a role player. Over the last five games, he has been worth 17.6 points on 21-for-45 three-point shooting (46.7%), while drawing fouls and getting to the line at the best rate in his career.

### 19. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2-4)

There have been good signs by ASVEL through the first six games, but it has already dropped two games at home and is winless on the road. [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) is still capable of moments of brilliance at 38 years old, while first-year players [Zac Seljaas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zachary-seljaas/014088/) and [Glynn Watson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/glynn-watson/014013/) have impressed together with third-year big man [Mbaye Ndiaye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mbaye-ndiaye/012731/), yet it looks like it's going to be a long season for the French side.

**Pleasant surprise:** Watson is in his seventh season in Europe, but only this year did he get an opportunity to play in the EuroLeague. It’s safe to say he has seized the opportunity with both hands, showing that he belongs at this level and ranking second at ASVEL in scoring (14.8 PPG) and PIR (12.7).

### 20. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (0-6)

Injuries, inconsistency, players coming and going… There are no shortage of problems for Baskonia, which is not only the only winless team in the league, but has now lost three straight by double figures. Would things be different if they hadn’t lost to Panathinaikos on Kendrick Nunn's buzzer-beater in Round 3?

**Pleasant surprise:** Whether this is a hot stretch or a remarkable shooting improvement, [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot/012080/) is simply scoring like never before. After only averaging 10.0 points per game last season because of rounding up, he is third in the league with 20.0 points per game now and more accurate than ever before.

Check out where your team ranks as we head into Round 7

The EuroLeague Round 11 matchup between Anadolu Efes Istanbul and FC Bayern Munich will be played in Antalya, at Antalya Sports Hall, on Friday, November 14, with tipoff scheduled for 20:00 local time.

Anadolu Efes to host Round 11 EuroLeague game vs. FC Bayern Munich in Antalya

The EuroLeague Round 11 matchup between [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) and [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/) will be played in Antalya, at Antalya Sports Hall, on Friday, November 14, with tipoff scheduled for 20:00 local time.

This game, featuring the two-time EuroLeague champion Anadolu Efes and German powerhouse FC Bayern Munich, will be played at Antalya as part of Anadolu Efes’ wider strategic initiative to expand the club’s reach beyond Istanbul. By bringing elite-level EuroLeague basketball to Antalya, Anadolu Efes aims to strengthen the League’s national footprint, enhance fan accessibility, and create new touchpoints for supporters across Turkey.

The initiative reflects the club’s commitment to:

- Increasing the visibility of both the EuroLeague and Anadolu Efes in regions that do not host regular-season games,
- Enabling local fans to experience a EuroLeague game live,
- Fostering fan engagement and community connection,
- Unlocking new commercial opportunities.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v FC Bayern Munich (2025-11-14T17:30:00.000Z)

**Community Partner:** Special Olympics Romania

**Social Issue:** Intellectual disability: Down Syndrome

**Ambassadors:** 

**Main Life Skills:** Teamwork, Communication, Decision-making, Autonomy

**About the Program:**

The U-BT Cluj-Napoca One Team program, in partnership with Special Olympics Romania, is dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual disabilities, primarily those with Down syndrome, through the transformative power of basketball. This initiative fosters an inclusive environment where participants aged 18-40 can develop physical skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of basketball. By focusing on what participants can achieve, the program shifts attention from disabilities to abilities, promoting personal growth, teamwork, and community cohesion. With 15-20 participants, the program offers weekly 90 minutes sessions over eight weeks, led by a coach from the club’s junior academy and supported by 3-8 junior volunteers, who assist with logistics and engage directly with participants to create a supportive and motivating atmosphere.

The program is structured to teach life skills alongside basketball, with each week targeting specific objectives like teamwork, communication, and decision-making to enhance participants’ daily lives and self-discovery. On-court sessions focus on basketball skills, while special sessions emphasize positive values and friendship. Incentives such as diplomas for 80% attendance, free game tickets, and post-session meals keep participants engaged, while close connections are maintained year-round. The program’s impact is amplified through a robust communication plan, including social media posts, website updates, and media outreach during key sessions, such as the first Christmas session, to promote messages of inclusion and unity.

Our programs - U-BT Cluj-Napoca

Filling out your fantasy rosters in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge can be rewarding. This week, Igor Petrinovic helps you find those cheap players.

Fantasy tips, Rounds 7-8: No-risk, high-reward gems

When putting together our EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge rosters, we often zero in on picking players like Sasha Vezenkov, Kendrick Nunn, or Jordan Nwora – your likely captain selection, the one you’re counting on to carry the team.

Often, to make room for the stars, we all have to select a few of the cheap options, those players often worth minimum of credits that we use to fill out our roster and plan to keep on the bench. And more often than not, those guys are not even included on the 12-man game-day roster.

However, for me personally, there is nothing as rewarding as unearthing those hidden gems, and getting double-digit fantasy points from cheap players.

Strategically, a good performance from a player below 6 or 7 credits might not be as important as making a good choice of a team captain, however cheap players can be true life-savers. Especially when your choice of an expensive player flops, or if you are forced to put those guys in your lineup on the final night of the round and they unexpectedly deliver.

The good thing about these, there is very low risk and potentially a big reward. These guys playing well are just a bonus. However, finding those who are in better position to succeed is not an easy task.

So, with another double-round week upon us, here are a few choices for you to consider when it comes to players who might get your money's worth this week.

### Arijan Lakic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, 4.0 credits

Losing Carlik Jones and having Shake Milton injured has once again put guard [Arijan Lakic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/arijan-lakic/007736/) in a position to get significant minutes. Lakic already played more than 20 minutes last week against Paris, and he is probably set to get the same workload this week. Likely getting 15-20 minutes on the floor from a player worth 4 credits is a great start. Another Partizan player to consider is forward [Aleksej Pokusevski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksej-pokusevski/008232/) (5.3 credits).

### Stefan Miljenovic, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, 4.1 credits

Zvezda is playing well, but is still heavily depleted by injury. Which could mean an opportunity for guard [Stefan Miljenovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/stefan-miljenovic/014094/), who is averaging 26 minutes in domestic league action and this past Saturday dropped 18 points and 5 assists. The team, and the coach, love what the 24-year-old brings. Another Zvezda player to keep in mind is its team captain, forward [Ognjen Dobric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-dobric/004007/) (4.3 credits), who has returned from injury and will certainly have a role in the rotation.

### Sebastian Herrera, Paris Basketball, 4.9 credits

Speaking of life-savers, enter Paris team captain [Sebastian Herrera](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sebastian-herrera/012611/) who exploded for a career-high 17.6 fps last week. And that was on the road in Belgrade, in one of the toughest EuroLeague environments to play. The Paris guard is averaging 18 minutes and 5.5 three-point attempts per game. So, the volume is there. This week, Paris faces Efes and Milan.

### Giampaolo Ricci, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, 5.2 credits

There seems to be a theme here, because sweet-shooting forward [Giampaolo Ricci](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/giampaolo-ricci/001518/) is also a team captain. He is arguably the hottest cheap player because with Zack LeDay out, in the last two games he averaged north of 25 minutes, delivering 13.2 and 12.0 fps, respectively, while shooting 8-of-9 from three-point range. Given that LeDay is out for Round 7 at least, I think Ricci will keep rolling.

### Kosta Kondic, Dubai Basketball, 5.8 credits

This is one of the most expensive players in this group, and another one who got his chance due to injuries on the team. But that’s how things work every season in any sport. [Kosta Kondic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kosta-kondic/014031/) seized the opportunity last week with 12 fps, and he led the team in minutes played this past weekend in the Adriatic League. Playing two road games in a double-round week, Kondic should get his minutes, and he is cheap enough for him to be a risk-free shot.

Filling out your fantasy rosters can be rewarding. This week, Igor Petrinovic helps you find those cheap players

Round 5 of the BKT EuroCup arrives with two teams striving to maintain their 100% records while others look to add more momentum. Here’s your guide to this week’s games.

At a glance: Two new coaches in place as Round 5 arrives

Round 5 of the BKT EuroCup arrives with two teams striving to maintain their 100% records while others look to add more momentum. Here’s your guide to this week’s games.

## Tuesday, October 28

### Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento (18:30 CET)

Two teams struggling at the foot of Group B will look for a boost as Panionios (1-3) – [now led by Ilias Zouros](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ilias-zouros-returns-to-panionios-as-head-coach-36-years-later/), who returns to the club 36 years later – welcomes Trento (1-3). Both are coming off heavy defeats due to poor offense, with Panionios scoring just 63 points in its loss at Buducnost while Trento fared worse with 60 points at home to Turk Telekom. The Italian team particularly needs to improve its long-range shooting after converting just 23.5% of its three-point attempts, with guard Cheickh Niang among those needing more accuracy after going 1-of-9 in the last two games. Panionios, which relies on the leadership of Michalis Lountzis (10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game) needs to take better care of the basketball after committing 18 turnovers last week.

### Hamburg Veolia Towers vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (19:30 CET)

Winless Hamburg (0-4) will attempt to change that statistic with a visit from a Cluj team (2-2) aiming to climb the Group A standings. After surviving an overtime thriller against Reyer last week, Cluj will hope that Iverson Molinar – who scored 22 points in that win including game-clinching free throws – can stay hot to provide a more comfortable evening. The Romanian team boasts the competition’s top two individual performers, with Daron Russell (25.5 average PIR) leading the backcourt and Dusan Miletic (23.8 PIR) powering the paint, but they will be tested by Hamburg leaders Leonard Thorpe (15 points per game) and Zacharie Perrin (10.8 rebounds per night, best in the league).

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (20:00 CET)

In the middle of Group A, Hapoel (2-2) is aiming to build more momentum with a visit from an Aris team (2-2) looking for a change in fortunes. The Greek club will have new leadership following the dismissal of coach Bogdan Karaicic after two straight losses, [with Igor Milicic handed the reins](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/aris-hands-igor-milicic-the-reins-as-head-coach/). His first priority is to boost a misfiring offense which scored 79 and 59 points in those defeats. Naz Mitrou-Long (12 points per game) will play a key role as he goes head-to-head in a key backcourt battle with Hapoel leader Jared Harper, who is coming off his best game of the season after dropping 20 points to mastermind last week’s comfortable home win over Slask.

## Wednesday, October 29

### Besiktas GAIN Istanbul vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (17:00 CET)

A heavyweight battle at the top of Group B will see second-placed Besiktas (3-1) attempt to end Bourg’s (4-0) unbeaten start to the season. The Turkish team did exactly that last week, handing Ulm its first loss in a thriller thanks to Anthony Brown’s last-gasp game-winning triple. Brown will feature prominently in what promises to be a long-range shoot-out between the third (37.7%) and second-best (39.6%) most accurate teams from three-point territory. Among Bourg’s deep threats is Antony Labanca, who recovered from a slow start to the season by blasting 6-of-8 triples in last week’s easy win over Lietkabelis and now will look to stay hot in Istanbul.

### Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (18:00 CET)

Struggling Lietkabelis (1-3) will look for a return to winning ways with a visit from dangerous Buducnost (2-2). The teams experienced precisely mirroring fortunes last week, with Lietkabelis – which has lost three in a row – suffering a 28-point thrashing at Bourg while Buducnost cruised to the same winning margin over Panionis. Forward Paulius Danusevicius is performing at a high level for the Lithuanian team with 11 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, but the host must improve a defense which has allowed 89 points per game if it wants to slow down the likes of sharpshooting Axel Bouteille, who scored 16 points without a miss last time out.

### NINERS Chemnitz vs. ratiopharm ulm (19:00 CET)

A German derby between two teams aiming to bounce back into winning ways will see Chemnitz (1-3) host Ulm (3-1) for the first time on the continental stage. Chemnitz is licking its wounds from last week’s last-gasp home loss to London, when 17 points and 9 rebounds from the consistent Kevin Yebo wasn’t enough to lift an otherwise below-par offense. Chemnitz does possess the EuroCup’s best two-point conversion rate (65.9%), so Ulm will need improved defense after allowing 101 points against Besiktas to suffer its first loss last week. The visitor will again be powered by dynamic forward Chistopher Ledlum, who has netted 20, 26 and 25 points in the last three games.

### Slask Wroclaw vs. Umana Reyer Venice (19:00 CET)

Climbing into the top six is the target as Slask (2-2) welcomes Reyer (1-3). The Italian team is aiming to achieve its first road win after suffering heartache last week with an overtime loss at Cluj, where center Chris Horton confirmed his power in the paint by recording a second consecutive double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds). This week he will be confronted by Stefan Dordevic, who has averaged 7 rebounds over the last three games for a Slask team which is unbeaten so far at home. The Polish team is the second best rebounding unit in the EuroCup (39.3 boards per night), so Reyer will have to be ready for a physical battle.

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Neptunas Kleipeda (19:30 CET)

Cedevita (3-1) will aim to overcome the disappointment of its first defeat by stopping the rise of Neptunas (1-3). The visiting team gained its first win of the season last week by downing Hamburg, and will again put its offense in the hands of Arnas Velicka, who leads the EuroCup with 8.2 assists per game. Cedevita, in contrast, is coming off its first loss after a setback at Bahcesehir, and will hope for another strong contribution from Aleksej Nikolic (17 points per game). Neptunas will take encouragement from the fact that it leads the competition in rebounding (40.3 per night), while Cedevita ranks last (31.5), so the Lithuanian team will attempt to dominate through physicality.

### London Lions vs. Turk Telekom Ankara (20:30 CET)

Two rapidly improving teams go head to head as London (2-2) welcomes Turk Telekom (2-2). Both have recovered from 0-2 starts to win their last two games, with London triumphing on the road last week behind 20 points from the consistent Kameron McGusty, whose strong inside presence will threaten the Turk Telekom defense. But the visiting team was very strong defensively in Round 4’s comfortable road win at Trento, where Jordan Usher led the team with his all-round game (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals). Turk Telekom forces more turnovers than any other team (17 per game), so London’s key guard Tarik Phillip will have to take more care after committing 7 turnovers last week.

### BAXI Manresa vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (20:45 CET)

The week concludes with a titanic tussle between two of Group A’s pacesetters as Manresa (3-1) welcomes unbeaten Bahcesehir (4-0). The Spanish team has won three straight behind the consistent scoring of Alfonso Plummer (17 points per game during the winning run) and a rock-solid defense which has allowed just 77.8 points per game and restricts its opponents to an average of 13.8 assists (second-best in the EuroCup). That toughness will be tested by a Bahcesehir team which has scored at least 92 points in every game and leads the competition in assists (23.3 per game), powered by multi-skilled big man Trevion Williams (13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per night).

With three games on Tuesday and seven on Wednesday, the action is heating up in the EuroCup

Panionios Athens v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2025-10-28T17:30:00.000Z)