The EuroLeague is back, and the opening week sustained the league’s most prominent trend on the floor: unmatched offensive efficiency.

Stats review: Offensive efficiency in the EuroLeague continues to rise

The EuroLeague is back, and the early returns are, frankly, spectacular.  While a lot of things changed coming into this season, with three teams added to fill the expanded 20-team field, a few coaching changes, and several marquee signings, the opening week sustained the league’s most prominent trend on the floor: unmatched efficiency.

The graph above shows the number of points per-possession scored since the EuroLeague's inception in the 2000-01 season. 

While there was a ramp-up in the seasons following the pandemic, the EuroLeague has hovered around record levels of efficiency for the last three years, finally breaking the record set during the 2017-18 season last year.  Usually, there are some expected bumps in the road early in the regular season as teams build their chemistry and find a rhythm, but Rounds 1 and 2 set a different tone last week as most teams came sprinting out of the gates executing, shooting the three, and taking care of the ball at high levels.  Given the league’s inclination for parity, the roster quality of the clubs joining this season, and the way the league has steadily raised the bar on offensive efficiency in recent years, it is fair to wonder if last season’s record was more of a stepping stone than the boundary the league’s last two major spikes proved to be.

History can only tell us so much beyond the last decade about the next step in the EuroLeague's offensive progression, as the brand of basketball in the first decade of the competition was very different in a few key facets — notably three-point rate and playcalling.  Early on, the league’s numbers usually ebbed and flowed with how effectively teams translated their group phase efficiency into the Top 16. The teams during the 2003-04 season were so good offensively in the second phase that the 47.6% field goal percentage from that year still stands as the EuroLeague record, with the resulting overall efficiency record holding until the 2017-18 campaign. 

That season’s offensive fireworks came on the heels of the EuroLeague's first season of double round-robin play in 2016-17.  The stabilizing effect the league’s current format has had on offensive performance is obvious, but that season saw positive swings in three-point shooting and turnover rate that have continued into the offensive renaissance that has gotten back on track after being derailed for a time by the pandemic.

While its obviously still very early, it is hard to look at the starts of Zalgiris Kaunas under new head coach Tomas Masiulis, Valencia Basket in their return to the league with a new arena, Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv on neutral courts with a former MVP leading the charge, and Dubai Basketball with their stellar shooting performance in Round 1 and not wonder just how high the league can fly offensively this year.  There is no guarantee that the explosive offensive play of the first week will carry on at such a high level all year, but the early returns of the 2025-26 season have done little to suggest that we are not, at least probably, watching a historic standard of professional basketball.

Sportradar shines a light on the great scoring efficiency in the opening rounds of the 2025-26 season

Barcelona’s Nico Laprovittola sidelined with a thigh injury

FC Barcelona came out victorious from Athens, beating Panathinaikos [96-103](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-fc-barcelona/E2025/18/#boxscore) with a help of [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) who had 15 points and 9 assists in 22:30 minutes on the floor. However, it came with a cost.

Veteran point guard felt discomfort in his leg during the game, and then came an announcement from the club on Saturday that Laprovittola will miss three weeks of action due to a thigh injury.

It is an unfortunate setback for a 35-year old guard who missed most of last season with an ACL tear.

This is eighth EuroLeague season for Laprovittola who has appeared in 187 games, all with Spanish clubs – Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">[𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐄̀𝐃𝐈𝐂]<br><br>El jugador Nico Laprovittola no jugarà el partit davant el València Basket. <br><br>L’escorta argentí va notar molèsties a l’adductor de la cuixa esquerra en una acció del tram final del partit davant Panathinaikos.<br><br>Les proves realitzades a Barcelona… <a href="https://t.co/3kZwGzPets">pic.twitter.com/3kZwGzPets</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1974491160312737833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He averaged 10.5 points and 6.0 assists in the opening week of the season

After winning two EuroLeague titles together, Shane Larkin and Vasilije Micic faced off for the first time as opponents in the competition – and it was Micic who came away with the win.

Larkin outscored Micic, but former MVP led Hapoel to win over ex-team

After winning two EuroLeague titles together, [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) and [Vasilije Micic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vasilije-micic/002580/) faced off for the first time as opponents in the competition – and it was Micic who came away with the win.

For five seasons, Larkin and Micic formed one of the most dominant backcourts in EuroLeague history, guiding [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) to back-to-back continental championships in 2021 and 2022. On Friday night, the former teammates met again – this time on opposite sides – as Micic’s new club, EuroLeague debutant [Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/hta/), defeated Larkin’s Efes [87–81 in Round 2 action](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/hapoel-finishes-perfect-double-round-with-81-87-road-win-at-efes/).

Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv | Round 1 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Though Larkin outscored Micic – finishing with 13 points, 3 assists and 2 steals to Micic’s 9 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds – it was the Serbian star who left the court with the bragging rights and the win.

This marked the first club-level matchup between the two since Micic left Efes for the NBA in 2023. He returned to Europe this season to join Hapoel and he arrived with plenty of pedigree, having been named EuroLeague MVP in 2021 and Final Four MVP in both 2021 and 2022.

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuR2YTJOyvj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Vasilije Micic B.B.I.I.M.H. 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The two did clash earlier this summer at the national team level during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 group stage. In that encounter, Larkin shined with 23 points and 9 assists in Turkiye’s 95–90 win over Serbia while Micic struggled, finishing with just 5 points and no assists in 12 minutes.

But on Friday in Podgorica, Montenegro, the narrative flipped.

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPYmf50jBI_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Vasilije Micic B.B.I.I.M.H. 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Despite the personal histories, the two rarely guarded each other directly. Early in the game, Micic sped past Larkin to assist [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/) – another former Efes player – on a three-point play. For much of the contest, Micic was defended by Larkin’s new backcourt partner Nick Weiler-Babb, the reigning EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year.

Still, there were several moments when their paths crossed. Midway through the second quarter, Larkin deflected a cross-court pass from Micic out of bounds. In the third quarter, Micic capitalized on a lapse by Larkin, who lost track of Elijah Bryant in the corner; Micic drove and kicked for a key three-pointer to put Hapoel ahead 52–50. Later, inside the final three minutes, Larkin picked off a pass from Micic in the paint, keeping Efes within striking distance.

Larkin actually faced three of his former teammates on the night. In addition to Micic and Oturu, Hapoel also signed [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/) this offseason. Bryant played four seasons with Efes (2021–2025), winning the EuroLeague title in 2022 alongside Larkin and Micic.

Hapoel's Elijah Bryant gets away from Efes's Shane Larkin in the teams' Round 2 matchup.

Bryant had a strong game with 15 points, including a first-quarter drive past Larkin and a steal that led to a Micic basket. The two guards also spent significant time defending each other. In one light-hearted moment early in the second half, Larkin was whistled for a foul trying to strip the ball from Bryant and responded with a smile to his old teammate.

Oturu added 12 points and 9 rebounds, rounding out a solid performance from Hapoel’s ex-Efes trio. In the end, it was the former Istanbul stars who had the last laugh, celebrating a hard-earned win over their old teammate and club.

Game News

The former backcourt mates faced off for the first time in the EuroLeague


Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (2025-10-03T17:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco forward Nikola Mirotic has been named MVP of Round 2 in the 2025–26 EuroLeague season after delivering a highly efficient all-around performance in his team’s 103–81 home win over Dubai Basketball.

Round 2 MVP: Nikola Mirotic, AS Monaco

AS Monaco forward [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vasilije-micic/002580/) has been named MVP of Round 2 in the 2025–26 EuroLeague season after delivering a highly efficient all-around performance in his team’s 103–81 home win over Dubai Basketball.

Mirotic needed just 20 minutes and 16 seconds on the court to register a performance index rating (PIR) of 32, the highest among players on winning teams this round. He finished with 19 points, shooting 5 of 7 on two-pointers, 1 of 2 from three-point range and 6 of 8 at the free-throw line. In addition, he collected 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and drew 9 fouls. This marks the 11th MVP of the Round honor in Mirotic’s EuroLeague career, tying him for fifth-most all-time in league history. 

The highest PIR of Round 2, however, belongs to Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens’s [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/), who amassed a PIR of 39 in a 96–103 home loss to FC Barcelona. Hernangomez had 27 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and drew 8 fouls. Another standout in defeat was [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/baldwin-iv-wade/009863/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. In an 84–81 road loss to Zalgiris Kaunas, Baldwin scored 36 points, adding 4 assists and 2 rebounds for a PIR of 34. Rounding out the top performers of Round 2 were FC Bayern Munich’s [Andreas Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/) and Panathinaikos’s [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/), who each recorded a PIR of 30. Obst scored 31 points on 9-of-16 three-point shooting, along with 3 rebounds and 1 steal. Sloukas contributed 18 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals in the loss to Barcelona.

### Individual highs: Wade Baldwin, Fenerbahce, 36 points

Wade Baldwin (Fenerbahce) led all scorers in Round 2 with 36 points. After two rounds, Baldwin, [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) (FC Barcelona) and [Jordan Nwora](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-nwora/013363/) (Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade) are tied for the league lead, each averaging 23.0 points per game.

[Allan Dokossi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/allan-dokossi/014010/) (Paris Basketball) pulled down 13 rebounds, the most in Round 2. Dokossi and [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) (Olympiacos Piraeus) are the league’s co-leaders in this category, each averaging 11.5 rebounds per game.

Kostas Sloukas (Panathinaikos) dished a round-high 11 assists. After two rounds, [Omari Moore](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/omari-moore/014115/) (Valencia Basket) and [Trent Forrest](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/trent-forrest/013367/) (Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz) share the overall lead with 8.0 assists per game.

[Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) (Paris) and [Jimmy Clark](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jimmy-clark-iii/013699/) (Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv) each recorded 5 steals in their head-to-head matchup, the most in Round 2. Clark leads the league with an average of 4.0 steals per game.

Five players finished with 2 blocks in Round 2: [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) (Zalgiris), [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) (Zalgiris), [Mikael Jantunen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mikael-jantunen/012613/) (Fenerbahce), [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) (Monaco) and [Bastien Vautier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bastien-vautier/014014/) (LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne). Francisco and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (Real Madrid) currently lead the league in blocks, each averaging 2.0 per game.

Sloukas was the only player to register a double-double in Round 2, finishing with 18 points and 11 assists.

We have our second winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 2 winner

EuroLeague fans, we have our second winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Igor Cebic beat everyone else in Round 2 with his team Cvetko Utd, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 239.75.

Igor had the following lineup: team captain Nikola Mirotic of AS Monaco, then Wade Baldwin of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Filip Petrusev of Dubai Basketball, Andreas Obst of FC Bayern Munich and Nikola Milutinov of Olympiacos Piraeus as his starters. Jordan Loyd of Anadolu Efes Istanbul was his sixth man. Igor's bench players were Edwin Jackson of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Sergio Llull of Real Madrid and Bryant Dunston of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. Monaco's Vassilis Spanoulis was the head coach.

The prize for finishing first in Round 2 is a VIP EuroLeague TV Subscription for the 2026-27 Season, and an automatic entry to a lottery to win 2x Tickets to the 2027 Final Four.

Trades are now open for Round 3 of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/). Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season. You can either trade up to four players, or a head coach and three players.

The first game of Round 3, Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv vs. Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, is scheduled to tip off on Wednesday, October 8 at 20:05 CEST, and thus marks next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner! To help with that, watch the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge podcast weekly on the [EuroLeague's YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@euroleague) and on all audio platforms.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager. 

Valencia Basket made a flying start in its shining new palace, Roig Arena, romping to a 103-94 win over Virtus Bologna in the EuroLeague on a night the Spanish club’s fans will savor for a long time.

Roig Arena inspired Valencia to impressive victory over Virtus 

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) made a flying start in its shining new palace, Roig Arena, romping to [a 103-94 win over Virtus Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/rampant-valencia-throws-house-warming-party-to-beat-virtus-103-94/) in the EuroLeague on a night the Spanish club’s fans will savor for a long time.

Having bid farewell to their iconic La Fonteta with Valencia competing in the BKT EuroCup last season while the glittering new palace was being built, joyous fans gave club president Juan Roig a standing ovation after he made his way into the gym.

Valencia, whose season is going from strength to strength as it won the Spanish Super Cup and beat LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in the EuroLeague’s opening round, was clearly inspired by a festive atmosphere to dismantle battling Virtus.

Valencia Basket-Virtus Bologna | Round 1 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Having carved out a 49-46 first-half lead despite shooting a mere 3 of 15 from downtown in the opening 20 minutes, Valencia made 9-of-15 long-range efforts in the second as 19-year-old [Sergio De Larrea](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-de-larrea/010750/) showcased his immense talent.

The teenager, tipped to become the next big thing in Spanish basketball with the national team going through a painful transition, drained 23 points in just 21 minutes on the court as he nailed 5-of-7 shots from beyond the three-point arc.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">1️⃣4️⃣.6️⃣0️⃣6️⃣🧡<br><br>GRÀCIES 🧡<br>GRACIAS 🧡<br>THANK YOU 🧡<br><br>📷 <a href="https://twitter.com/miguelangelpo67?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@miguelangelpo67</a> <a href="https://t.co/PfQltabUTZ">pic.twitter.com/PfQltabUTZ</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1974224411747045428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With a near capacity crowd of 14,606 setting a new club record for attendance, De Larrea served up the energy of a youngster coupled with the maturity of a stalwart as he hit some clutch shots while showing the utmost humility in his postgame comments.

 “All the people of Valencia cheered and encouraged us, making me very proud that we played here tonight,” he said in a courtside interview. “It’s all about team work, one time it’s one player who steps up to the plate, another time it’s someone else. The important thing is that we played as a team and won the game.”

[Omari Moore](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/omari-moore/014115/), who marked his home debut for Valencia with an impressive effort of 15 points, 6 assists and 4 boards, was galvanized by the electrifying atmosphere generated by the home faithful, whose joy in the Roig Arena was everywhere to be seen.

“The fans did a super job as everybody was very loud,” he said. “We made runs when we needed to and we got a good team win. We needed to stay poised because we played against a really good team but we stayed solid and found a way to win the game.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">SE ME ESTÁ CAYENDO UNA LAGRIMITA, <a href="https://twitter.com/RoigArena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoigArena</a> 🧡😢 <a href="https://t.co/KvJzcZai38">pic.twitter.com/KvJzcZai38</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1974209252353855796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Valencia head coach Pedro Martinez duly reminded his players there was no time to rest on laurels in the midst of a grueling schedule comprising Europe’s toughest national league and the EuroLeague, with Valencia up next against one of its perennial Spanish rivals.

“We played with a lot of rhythm in the second half and when you score some three-pointers everything looks easier,” Martinez elaborated.

“We had a lot of players who stepped up in crucial moments. We have to stay focused because we’ve got a big game against Barcelona in the Spanish League on Sunday, meaning that there is no room for us to dwell on our good start to the season.”  

The Spanish side clearly enjoyed its debut in a brand-new venue, producing a vintage performance 

Valencia Basket v Virtus Bologna (2025-10-03T18:30:00.000Z)

Most Paris Basketball fans expected it — and now it’s happening. Nadir Hifi has become the team’s go-to scorer and emotional leader on the court. 

Nadir Hifi: The Prince of Paris is now King   

Most [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/) fans expected it — and now it’s happening. [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) has become the team’s go-to scorer and emotional leader on the court. 

After a busy offseason that saw several key players move on — including TJ Shorts, Tyson Ward, Mikael Jantunen, Leon Kratzer, Maodo Lo, Kevarrius Hayes, and Collin Malcolm — Hifi chose to stay and honor his contract, even releasing a lighthearted video on social media to announce it.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Merci <a href="https://twitter.com/thenadirhifi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thenadirhifi</a> 🖤❤️💙 <a href="https://t.co/jZAirVnwd3">pic.twitter.com/jZAirVnwd3</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1942917068912726338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

That decision is already paying off. Hifi played a key role in [Paris’s 94–101 road win over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nadir-hifi-leads-paris-past-maccabi-for-first-win-94-101/) in Round 2, delivering a complete performance that showed why he’s now the centerpiece of Francesco Tabellini’s squad.

Coming off the bench, Hifi immediately made an impact, burying back-to-back three-pointers during a 2–17 run that gave Paris control for good at 11–19. He struck twice more from beyond the arc — once just before halftime, and again to close the third quarter — to give Paris a 63–75 lead heading into the final frame.

But Hifi’s impact wasn’t just on offense. The young guard was constantly communicating with teammates, acting as an on-court extension of his coach, and disrupting Maccabi's rhythm with 5 steals. He finished with 21 points, 3 assists, and the look of a player ready to lead.

"I am satisfied with the energy and effort we put into the game for 40 minutes,” Hifi said. “We showed improvement since our game two days ago, and I’m happy to take this win.”

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv-Paris Basketball | Round 1 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

And the story doesn’t end there. On Thursday night — just 24 hours before facing Maccabi — Hifi showed his love for the game by attending the matchup between Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan as a fan. Rather than asking for VIP access, Hifi bought a regular ticket and sat among the Partizan supporters to soak up the Belgrade basketball atmosphere.

“It was amazing!” he said. “I always dreamed of experiencing that kind of energy. It’s always special to play in Belgrade — that’s why I went to the game.”

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPUi0LMDCAi/?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/reel/DPUi0LMDCAi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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From staying loyal in the off-season to stepping up when it counts — and even cheering in the stands like any other fan — Nadir Hifi is becoming a fan favorite not just in Paris, but across the EuroLeague. The Prince of Paris is well on his way to becoming a king.

The 23-year-old guard, who attended Partizan's game on Thursday, inspired his team past Maccabi on Friday

Nadir Hifi: The Prince of Paris is now King 

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv v Paris Basketball (2025-10-03T19:30:00.000Z)

Will Clyburn finished the opener with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in under 25 minutes – a performance that hinted he was ready to lead. Three nights later, the veteran forward doubled down with another standout display, helping FC Barcelona bounce back with a 96–103 road win at Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.

Will Clyburn turns back the clock as Barcelona fires on all cylinders in Athens

[FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) didn’t start its EuroLeague season the way it had hoped. Conceding 103 points in [a loss to newcomers Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/hapoel-downs-barcelona-103-87-for-first-ever-euroleague-win/) on Tuesday, the Catalan giant looked out of sorts. But amid that defeat, one player quietly made a statement.

[Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) finished the opener with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in under 25 minutes – a performance that hinted he was ready to lead. Three nights later, the veteran forward doubled down with another standout display, helping Barcelona bounce back with [a 96–103 road win at Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-dominates-at-panathinaikos-96-103/).

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-FC Barcelona | Round 1 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Clyburn matched his scoring total from the first game, again putting up 23 points, while adding 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in a complete two-way performance. The 35-year-old showed no signs of slowing down, fitting seamlessly into a Barcelona side that bolstered its experience this summer with the additions of both Clyburn and [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) from Virtus Bologna.

“The team came out adjusted from the first game,” Clyburn told EuroLeague TV. “We fought, we played defense and we played together. That’s how you get a win on the road.”

Barcelona shot the lights out at Telekom Center Athens, hitting 16-of-34 three-point attempts, the most of any team in a game this season. Clyburn himself went 4 of 5 from deep, while the team’s ball movement and offensive spacing generated a string of open looks. The visitors finished with 23 assists, led by [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) (9), [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) (5) and [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) (4) as they dictated the tempo throughout.

“We are a team and we showed that today,” Laprovittola said after the game. “We followed the plan. That’s the key: playing together, not individually. We still have to improve, but with this energy and confidence, we’ll keep getting better.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ht" dir="ltr">𝐌𝐕𝐏! 𝐌𝐕𝐏!! 𝐌𝐕𝐏!!! <a href="https://t.co/UTvP0sAJ2n">pic.twitter.com/UTvP0sAJ2n</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1974212235305046336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Eight different Barcelona players hit at least one three-pointer, with Clyburn, Laprovittola and Punter each draining a pair in the decisive final quarter. Joan Penarroya’s side will now look to carry that momentum into their first home game of the season against Valencia Basket.

And in Clyburn, they have a player who’s already proven he can shoulder the load – twice in the space of four days.

The veteran forward led the resurgent Blaugrana to an impressive road win at Panathinaikos

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v FC Barcelona (2025-10-03T18:15:00.000Z)

Draining 5 of his 6 attempts from beyond the arc on his way to 23 points, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne forward Zac Seljaas cemented his status as a new fan favorite at LDLC Arena as his team downed Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 102–95 in Round 2.

Zac Seljaas hopes to build on breakout performance as ASVEL beats Baskonia

Draining 5 of his 6 attempts from beyond the arc on his way to 23 points, [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) forward [Zac Seljaas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/zachary-seljaas/014088/) cemented his status as a new fan favorite at LDLC Arena as [his team downed Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 102–95](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-overcomes-early-deficit-to-defeat-baskonia-102-95/) in Round 2.

With Nando De Colo going out with an injury during the game, Seljaas stepped up and shouldered much of the offensive load, knocking down momentum-shifting shots and providing a spark whenever ASVEL needed one.

“It’s a great feeling to get a win here, at home, with the fans and the energy,” Seljaas said postgame. “It’s great to get a win under our belt and now we can keep building off of that.”

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 1 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

After a proverbial smack in the mouth in the first quarter, ASVEL overcame a 13-point deficit and Seljaas believes the packed-out crowd had a major part to play.

“The fans get us going, we thrive off that energy and it helps us be stronger, be more confident in everything we do. We rely on them, so getting them involved helps us a lot.”

Regularly seen pumping up the crowd from the bench all night, the 2.00-meter scorer fed into the growing atmosphere throughout the game. Seljaas’s teammate [David Lighty](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-lighty/003526/) spoke glowingly about how his energy impacted the game.

“Zac is a great guy,” Lighty said. “He is a pro’s pro. He comes to the gym ready to work, ready to learn. His energy is infectious for the team. He’s a big part of what we’re going to do this year. We have to create the energy, we have to give the fans something to cheer about. In the second quarter, we felt that and we rode that momentum until the end of the game.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WINNING FEELING 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/oRbbdpzzJj">pic.twitter.com/oRbbdpzzJj</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1974206612052074785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It’s a long season and one win won’t satisfy Seljaas, but he’s hoping that if he can build on Friday night’s performance, it won’t just be the scoreline that he changes. When asked about his signature hairstyle, he shared another long-term goal.

“Hopefully it starts a trend and we start seeing more mullets out there in the crowd.”

The American forward helped ignite ASVEL's comeback and energized the home crowd at LDLC Arena

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2025-10-03T18:00:00.000Z)