### Mihai Silvasan, Cluj head coach

"We will have a really tough game, because they are one of the top teams from Italy. They have high hopes related to this season. Of course, their budget is higher and they bought some talented players, with EuroLeague experience. They did not start so well this EuroCup season, so I am sure they want a victory against us. I told my players that the best team will win, so the history or the pre-game statistics do not matter. We want to be an united, hardworking team, eager to win." 

Umana Reyer Venice

Group A

U-BT Cluj-Napoca

Regular Season

Round 3

EuroCup 2022-23

Round 18

### Emanuel Cate, Cluj player

"We have to prepare with the same intensity. I am sure we will stick to our game plan and I expect a really hard game. Actually, EuroCup offers us a battle every week and we are excited to play. I just hope our fans will come in high number to push us to another victory."

Zavier Simpson of U-BT Cluj-Napoca, Semi Ojeleye and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui of Valencia Basket, Devin Robinson of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and Anthony Brown of Turk Telekom Ankara.

2024-25 BKT All-EuroCup Second Team

### Zavier Simpson, U-BT Cluj-Napoca

The playmaking mastery, crafty scoring and defensive tenacity of [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) made him a delight to watch in his first BKT EuroCup season. As Cluj's floor general, Simpson consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to control the tempo of the game, finding teammates in perfect scoring positions while also scoring efficiently himself. He led the EuroCup in assists (8.0 apg.), ranked second in scoring (17.8 ppg.) and third in PIR (20.9). Simpson’s knack for reading defenses and executing precise passes were crucial to Cluj's winning season, which saw it reach the quarterfinals, but only after he whipped up a 26-point, 14-assist gem in the eighthfinals against Wolves. That game was one of Simpson's seven double-doubles and just another reason he earned the well-deserved recognition as one of the EuroCup’s premier guards.

### Semi Ojeleye, Valencia Basket

An ever-present for Valencia this season, [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) has earned All-EuroCup Second Team honors in his rookie season in the competition. Ojeleye was a key contributor as the Spanish side swept aside teams at will en route to the EuroCup Semifinals, going 17-2 to that point. He was the second leading scorer with 11.4 points per game for a Valencia offense that posted 96.4 points per night, the second-highest average in competition history. A forward who was always circled on the opposition’s scouting report, the 30-year-old poured in 10 points or more in 15 of his 19 appearances until the semifinals. The season didn’t have the fairy-tale ending that Valencia fans were hoping for, but Ojeleye’s performances on the court were an important part of the team’s success.

### 

### Devin Robinson, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

A highlight-reel regular who often changed the momentum of the games, Cedevita Olimpija power forward [Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/) has earned his place in the All-EuroCup Second Team. Few big men have been as consistent this season as Robinson, who ranked 10th this season with 14.9 points per game, scoring in double figures in 17 of his 20 appearances, and in 11 of those he posted at least 15 points. Meanwhile, Robinson was coming up big on the boards, too. He posted a team-high 5.9 rebounds and had 13 games in which he pulled down at least 5 rebounds. All of that helped elevate Cedevita to its first winning season in three years and to the quarterfinals, while Robinson deservingly established himself as an All-EuroCup player with his consistent displays.

### Anthony Brown, Turk Telekom Ankara

[Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/)’s well-rounded skillset and scoring proficiency saw him named to the All-EuroCup Second Team for the second time in his career. Best known for his smooth shooting stroke, Brown led the EuroCup in three-pointers made, converting 2.7 per contest, while shooting a remarkable 45.8% from deep. He ranked third in the competition with 17.8 points per game. Brown consistently delivered clutch performances that propelled his team to success. His 39 points and PIR of 45 against Cluj were both season highs in the EuroCup. Brown's combination of experience and talent helped lead Turk Telekom into the postseason and, once there, he shined again with 20 points to lead his team to an eighthfinals victory over Buducnost and solidify himself among the top players of the 2024-25 season.

### Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, Valencia Basket

Mr. Do It All for Valencia has made it to the All-EuroCup Second Team for the first time in his four-season EuroCup career. [Xabi Lopez-Arostegui](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xabi-lopez-arostegui/005356/)’s 13.8 PIR average was the second highest on the team and is a good indicator of the positive – and consistent – way in which he affected games for his side. He was one of five Valencia to average double digits in scoring (10.4 ppg.), while he was also third on the team in rebounds (3.8 rpg.). The Spaniard netted 10 points or more 10 times in 12 games between Round 6 and the quarterfinals to ensure that Valencia locked up the one seed heading into the postseason, with Lopez-Arostegui having had a sizeable contribution on Valencia’s competition-leading offense and rebounding numbers.

The All-EuroCup First Team was announced earlier on Saturday

The 2025 BKT EuroCup Finals are fast approaching, but before a champion is decided, it's time to honor the players who have stood out during the 2024-25 season. The five players named to the All-EuroCup First Team, chosen by fans, media, head coaches, and team captains, are all first-time honorees and played key roles in leading their teams to the BKT EuroCup Playoffs: Jared Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, Jean Montero of Valencia Basket, Johnathan Motley of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, Jaleen Smith of Bahcesehir College Istanbul and Mfiondu Kabengele of Umana Reyer Venice.

2024-25 BKT All-EuroCup First Team

The 2025 BKT EuroCup Finals are fast approaching, but before a champion is decided, it's time to honor the players who have stood out during the 2024-25 season. The five players named to the All-EuroCup First Team, chosen by fans, media, head coaches, and team captains, are all first-time honorees and played key roles in leading their teams to the BKT EuroCup Playoffs.

### Jared Harper, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem

[Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem had one of the best debut seasons in BKT EuroCup history, leading the competition in PIR (27.2) and scoring (22.8 ppg.), which has seen him earn a place in the All-EuroCup First Team. In addition to downing 40.9% of his three-point shots (38 of 93), Harper set a new record for most fouls drawn in a season with 142, while he was deadly from the free-throw line, hitting 174 of 199 attempts. Harper also ranked third in assists (5.7 apg.), leading Jerusalem to a second-place finish in Group B with a 11-7 record and a place in the quarterfinals. Harper scored at least 14 points in each and every game, reaching 30 three times and getting a season-high 35 against Turk Telekom Ankara.

### 

### Jean Montero, Valencia Basket

In the first full season in the competition [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/) has been named to the All-EuroCup First Team. The 21-year-old Montero starred for the offensive juggernaut called Valencia Basket, leading the team in scoring with 13.2 points per game, and he was tied for fifth on the season in assists averaging a team-high 5.3 dimes. But Montero was also a key contributor on the defensive end, ranking fourth in the EuroCup with 1.7 steals per game. Montero’s kept opposing defenses off balanced with his quickness, but also ability to hurt them by both making buckets and putting his teammates in scoring positions. He was one of the main reasons Valencia dominated with a regular-season best 16-2 record and reached the semifinals before being ousted by Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv.

### 

### Johnathan Motley, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

A force in Hapoel’s paint all season long, [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) certainly lived up to the preseason expectations and is a worthy member of the All-EuroCup First Team. Motley netted 11 or more points in 11 of his 14 regular-season appearances, including netting 20 or more on five occasions, while he grabbed 5 or more rebounds in eight regular-season games. The 29-year-old big man leads a finals-bound Hapoel in scoring and rebounding this season with 16.1 points and 5.0 boards per game, respectively, while he is second in average PIR with 19.0 per night. After a strong showing in the semifinals, where he posted 15.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists against a Valencia Basket side tipped by many to win it all, Motley is now going in search of his first EuroCup title.

### 

### Jaleen Smith, Bahcesehir College Istanbul

Putting his versatility on display throughout the season has earned [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/) a spot in the All-EuroCup First Team. The guard played his first season in the competition and proved to be a difference-maker from the get-go, both as a scorer and a distributor. Smith’s production and savvy play were key factors in Bahcesehir’s success as it topped its regular-season group and went on to reach the EuroCup Semifinals. The 31-year-old combo averaged 12.4 points, the second most on the team, and also ranked fourth in the EuroCup this season with 5.5 assists per game, including a single-game season-high 15 assists in a win over Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. On the other end, Smith’s 1.1 steals – the second highest on the team – helped Bahecesehir confirm its status as the competition’s best defense.

### 

### Mfiondu Kabengele, Umana Reyer Venice

[Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/) was a dominant force for Reyer throughout the 2024-25 EuroCup season. His blend of athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive prowess made him a cornerstone of Reyer's run to the eighthfinals. With averages of 15.4 points and a competition-best 9.7 rebounds per game, Kabengele showcased his ability to impact games on both ends of the floor, whether through powerful finishes, mid-range shooting, or shot-blocking. His energy and intensity set the tone for Reyer's frontcourt, making him a nightmare matchup for opposing teams. In his first full EuroCup season – Kabengele made two appearances for Reyer the season before – he recorded a PIR of at least 30 in five of his 18 games. He hauled in a EuroCup-best nine double-doubles and was second in the competition with an average PIR of 23.2.

The Rising Star and Coach of the Year have already been announced on Friday

Game Videos

### Walter De Raffaele, Reyer head coach

"Cluj comes from an undefeated track record in the National League (4-0) and in the recent victory against Ljubljana in the EuroCup, because of that it is going through a particular moment of confidence. Their backcourt expresses an absolutely prominent physicality in this EuroCup, the playmaker Taylor is the leader, the guards Meindl and Guzman attack the rim very well and are among the best rebounders of the team. Sanders we know very well is a talented and unpredictable player. Among the bigs, Bircevic is a three-point ruling and Stipanovic is a very experienced home player. We will try to recover all possible energy even if only two days part us from the effort produced against Milan and the match in Romania. Moreover we had travel troubles because out plane broken down and we arrived in the night. We will have to drawn on everyone's contribution and counter the physicality of the opponents, in a gym that is always full and loud."

Game News

Pre-Game quotes: Cluj vs. Reyer

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Umana Reyer Venice (2022-10-25T16:00:00.000Z)