As he had all season, the smallest man on the court, TJ Shorts of Paris Basketball, stood tallest in the BKT EuroCup Finals.

 EuroCup Finals MVP: TJ Shorts, Paris Basketball 

Paris Basketball playmaker [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) rounded out a perfect season by earning the MVP honor at the 2024 EuroCup Finals, leading his team to its first-ever continental title.

Shorts was once again the best player on the floor during the EuroCup Finals, averaging 18.0 points, 4.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals and a PIR of 24.0. He led Paris to a 2-0 sweep the best-of-three playoffs series against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse.

By sweeping the series, Paris finished the 2023-24 season with the best-ever record in the competition, 22-1. Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar finished the 2014-15 EuroCup with a 19-1 record. Paris was also the first team to get 22 wins in a single EuroCup season. Dreamland Gran Canaria had the previous record with 21 victories, also in the 2014-15 campaign.

[Shorts led Paris in Game 1 ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/195/#info)with game-highs of 15 points and 20 PIR. He added 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 7 fouls drawn. [In Game 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-paris-basketball/U2023/196/#info), Shorts was equally unstoppable, pouring in 22 points to go with 6 rebounds and 5 assists for a PIR of 28.

"It is amazing. I don't know, I'm at a loss for words," Shorts said after the game. "This has been a long journey, this is something we talked about at the beginning of the season. I'm just grateful and thankful to everybody that stepped out on the court that contributed to this win. From the coaching staff, the players, the people in the office that are greeting us every day. This is not only for us, this is for the city of Paris."

Paris Basketball playmaker TJ Shorts rounded a perfect season by earning 2024 EuroCup Finals honors, leading his team to its first-ever continental title.

TJ SHORTS | Finals MVP | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

### Shorts joins a notable list of EuroCup Finals MVPs

Shorts is the last name of a list of EuroCup Finals MVP full of stars. Dejan Tomasevic was the first-ever EuroCup Finals in 2003, helping Valencia Basket become the competition's original champion. Kelly McCarty of Hapoel Jerusalem received the award in 2004, followed by Robertas Javtokas of Rytas Vilnius (2005), Ruben Douglas of Dynamo Moscow (2006), Charles Smith of Real Madrid (2007), Rudy Fernandez of Joventut Badalona (2008), Marius Petravicius of Rytas (2009), Matt Nielsen of Valencia (2010), Marko Popovic of UNICS Kazan (2011), Zoran Planinic of Khimki Moscow Region (2012), Richard Hendrix of Lokomotiv (2013), Justin Doellman of Valencia (2014), Tyrese Rice of Khimki (2015), Stephane Lasme of Galatasaray Istanbul (2016), Alberto Diaz of Unicaja Malaga (2017), Scottie Wilbekin of Darussafaka Istanbul (2018), Will Thomas of Valencia (2019), Rob Gray of AS Monaco (2021), Milos Teodosic of Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2022) and John Shurna of Gran Canaria (2023).

Timothy Neocartes Shorts II (1.75 meters, 26 years old) was born in Irvine, California, and started his professional basketball career with Latvian side Ventspils. He continued his career in Germany, playing for Hamburg Towers, Crailsheim Merlins and Telekom Baskets Bonn, where he had a breakout 2022-23 season. Shorts earned German League MVP, FIBA Basketball Champions League MVP and BCL Finals MVP honors, leading Bonn to the BCL title and reaching the German League finals, losing against ratiopharm Ulm.

On Court Interview: MVP TJ Shorts

Shorts joined Paris Basketball to make EuroCup history in golden letters. He became the first player to earn EuroCup Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Finals and Season MVP. Shorts was earned MVP of the Round honors three times during the regular season. He led the EuroCup in PIR average (23.4), assists (7.3) and two-point shots made (134), ranking second in scoring with 18.0 points per game. Earlier this season. Shorts led Paris to the French Leaders Cup title, earning MVP honors.

Next stop for Shorts and Paris? The 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague!

Game Videos

Game News

As he had all season, the smallest man on the court stood tallest in the BKT EuroCup Finals.

EuroCup Finals MVP: TJ Shorts, Paris Basketball

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Paris Basketball (2024-04-12T17:30:00.000Z)

The best team all season completed its mission to lift the trophy with a hard-fought road win!

Paris outlasts Bourg 81-89 to sweep to the trophy!

Paris Basketball is the new BKT EuroCup champion after completing a sweep of the entire playoffs with a 81-89 road win on Friday in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals on the home court of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse. The victory ensures that for the first time this century, the French capital will have a representative in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague next season. Paris completed an unprecented 22-1 campaign in comeback fashion after trailing for 20 minutes into the second half but then slowly turning the game in its favor until a 9-0 fourth-quarter fun gave the visitors control the rest of the way. TJ Shorts led the winners with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Mikael Jantunen followed with 15 points, Nadir Hifi with 14 and Tyson Ward with 10. Bourg, which ws as close as 74-78 late in the fourth quarter, got 16 points from Isiaha Mike, 14 from Jeremy Morgan, 21 from Bodian Massa and 11 each from Axel Julien and Hugo Benitez.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2-0 for <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> <br><br>A win to bring the 🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/vqGYcOZx6r">pic.twitter.com/vqGYcOZx6r</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1778871266897743964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 


Early triples by Jantunen and Jequan Lewis led to an early 7-7 tie that Morgan broke with a corner triple for Bourg. When Mike added his own transition three-pointer, the lead for Bourg was 13-9. Then Paris left Morgan open again and he buried another shot from the arc at 16-9, forcing a timeout from the visitors. Hifi broke a two-minute Paris drought with 3 free throws. Paris pulled within 18-16 before Julien made Bourg's fifth three-pointer already, but Hifi matched him. Maxim Salash kept it going for Bourg from deep to make it 24-19 and Benitez beat the buzzer to keep Bourg up 26-22 after 10 minutes.

Benitez kept pushing Bourg to a 30-22 advantage early in the second quarter before Paris followed Shorts and Jantunen to get within 32-29. Both teams traded baskets until Justin Simon stole and detonated a huge dunk to get Paris within 38-37. Mike and Julien responded with 5 points in a row for Bourg but Shorts kept the visitors close and sliced to the basket to make it 45-43 inside the final minute, but Bourg held a 46-43 halftime lead, having stayed in front the last 18 minutes of the half.

Ward's triple opened the second half by tying the score. Benitez answered immediately from the high post. Sebastian Herrera tied it up on a drive and Shorts blasted a triple to give Paris its first lead in more than 20 minutes, 48-51. Massa hit a hook shot and stole from Shorts to dunk at the other end and retake the lead for Bourg. Hifi flipped the scoreboard again at 52-53, added  a jumper to it and then blasted a triple off an inbounds play to suddenly boost the difference to 52-58. Bourg soon got an open triple from Morgan to close within 59-61, then Julien and Lewis tied it up at 63-63. Shorts got back to the foul line to let Paris keep ahead 63-64 after 30 minutes. 

After Paris was up 63-64 heading into the fourth quarter, Salash put Bourg back in front, 66-64. Against a zone defense by Bourg, Leon Kratzer blasted an alley-oop slam for Paris that seemed to change the momentum for good. Next, Jantunen hit a pair of triples around another from Tyson Ward for a 0-9 run to suddenly make it 67-75. Jantunen drew a charge next on Risacher. Bryce Brown fed Bodian Massa for a huge dunk to get the crowd back into it. Julien cut it to 71-76 with a layup. Morgan made it 74-78 from downtown, but Shorts answered in close. Brown scored for Bourg to stay within 76-80 but Hifi blasted another triple and the visitors guarded the lead the rest of the way to end up celebrating at courtside with the trophy!

The most dominant team ever in the competition seizes the crown, too!

 Paris Basketball reigns supreme in the EuroCup! 

[Paris Basketball is the new BKT EuroCup champion](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/paris-outlasts-bourg-81-89-to-sweep-to-the-trophy/) after completing a sweep of the entire playoffs with [an 81-89 road win ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-paris-basketball/U2023/196/#boxscore)on Friday in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals on the home court of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse. The victory ensures that for the first time this century, the French capital will have a representative in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague next season. Paris completed an unprecedented 22-1 campaign in comeback fashion after trailing for 20 minutes into the second half but then slowly turning the game in its favor until a 9-0 fourth-quarter fun gave the visitors control the rest of the way. TJ Shorts led the winners with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Mikael Jantunen followed with 15 points, Nadir Hifi with 14 and Tyson Ward with 10. Congratulations to the new champs!

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏆 LE PARIS BASKETBALL REMPORTE L’<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> 2023/2024 ! 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/AAysjoAgqR">pic.twitter.com/AAysjoAgqR</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1778869192369766606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Shorts is crowned MVP of the finals!

Paris point guard [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) was voted as the [MVP of the finals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/eurocup-finals-mvp-tj-shorts-paris-basketball/) to make it a clean sweep of such awards in all three rounds of the postseason in which his team played. He was also the [quarterfinals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/quarterfinals-mvp-tj-shorts-paris/) and [semifinals ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/semifinals-mvp-tj-shorts-paris-basketball/)MVP. In the two-game finals, Shorts averaged 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.0 steal for a per-game PIR of 24.0.

Finals MVP Award Presentation | TJ SHORTS | Paris Basketball

Paris Basketball

"I'm just grateful to be allowed to be part of this type of group. We worked hard all year long, and we knew what we could do. We just had to go out there and show it, and I think we just did that."


Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse-Paris Basketball | Finals Game 2 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Paris Basketball reigns supreme in the EuroCup!

The father of this season's EuroLeague Rising Star is rooting his son on at the BKT EuroCup Finals

Stephane Risacher: 'Basketball is all over our family'

The Risacher family is front and center at the BKT EuroCup Finals.

Forward [Zaccharie Risacher, the 2023-24 EuroCup Rising Star](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bkt-eurocup-rising-star-winner-zaccharie-risacher-bourg/), is starring for Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and his father, former EuroLeague star Stephane Risacher, is in town, too.

Stephane is one of four legends who came to Bourg en Bresse to teach young players at a clinic organized by the French League. He was joined by Antoine Rigaudeau, Frederic Weis and Laurent Foirest. And the proud papa was pleased to chat about his son's success.

"He is playing well and seeing playing time. He's had some very good moments and some other tough ones," Stephane said. "But in general, if you look at his season since it started in September, I am very proud of him."

Stephane was a complete player who joined forces with Bourg coach Frederic Fauthoux at Pau-Orthez in the late 1990s. He also played for many different French clubs as well as for Olympiacos Piraeus of Greece, Unicaja Malaga and Murcia of Spain. Among his career highlights was winning a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney with the French national team alongside Rigaudeau, Weis and Foirest.

The elder Risacher said that he is very happy that Zaccharie chose Bourg, where he has played more and worked hard in the right environment.

"He needed to play and make the most out of his talent. He came here to do that and work with Freddy \[Fauthoux\]. I think he was the right person to help him adjust to the professional basketball world. Everything is going well," Stephane said.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Definitely, Zaccharie is a strong person 💪” <br><br>We spoke to Stephane Risacher, French basketball LEGEND and Silver medalist at 2000 Olympics in Sydney with French National Team 👏 on Finals Day as he gave his thoughts on his son and the pressures he is going through.… <a href="https://t.co/0A72F2ZJgP">pic.twitter.com/0A72F2ZJgP</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1778763332427649060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Zaccharie was born in Malaga, Spain, and followed his father throughout his career around Europe. There were never doubts as to his favorite sport, as even though he had choices, Zaccharie was always into basketball. Stephane made sure he had everything he needed to practice at all times.

"Basketball is all over our family, it is our life story. We all play sports in general, but Zaccharie and his sister have always played basketball. They grew up playing basketball and always had a basketball in their hands," he said. "They shot a lot, too, as we always had a hoop everywhere we lived. That is the way we are."

Fast forward to the 2024 EuroCup Finals, Zaccharie has a chance to win his first European title at a professional level and his future looks brighter than ever. He is working hard every day to get better, and his father believes that fame will not change him because of his work ethic and loyalty to the people in his circle of trust.

"Fame is a part of the equation but we know what he needs to do, first and foremost, for himself. Everything will come to him through his effort. And also, he knows there are people around him that love him and will always love him, so after he has done all that hard work for himself, he knows there are people that will have his back," Stephane said. "Fame comes, goes, comes again and goes again. It is nothing special. He has to follow his way and know that the people that are important to him will always be with him."

Check out the predictions from EuroCupbasketball.com staff members for Game 2 of the BKT EuroCup Finals, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Paris Basketball.

Finals, Game 2 predictions: Bourg vs. Paris

### Paris will complete a playoffs sweep

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Paris Basketball has been, hands down, the best team in the EuroCup this season. What has impressed me is that the team has not shied away from the moment. As impressive as Paris was in the regular season, head coach Tuomas Iisalo's young team continued the same way in the playoffs: four postseason games, four wins, all without much drama, by the winning margin of eight points or more. Bourg has deserved its place in the finals and has played great defense, but I think the first half of Game 1 showed how dominant Paris can be. I think Paris leaves nothing to chance and finishes the job in style on Friday night, sweeping its way through the playoffs, winning the EuroCup crown, and earning its ticket to the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. My pick: Paris by double digits.

### Bourg will tie the series at home

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

Game 1 gave us the chance to see Bourg playing arguably its worst basketball of the season before halftime: turnovers, missed shots and a tremendous lack of confidence. Everything changed in the second half, when Bourg held Paris to just 23 points, setting the tone on offense with spectacular dunks and better shot selection. I believe we will see more of the latter in Game 2, as Bourg has played really well throughout the season. Players like Isiaha Mike and Maksim Salash should get close to their usual numbers, plus head coach Frederic Fauthoux should make the right adjustments. What's more, Bourg plays with one of the most underrated home crowds in the competition. Expect Ekinox to be completely packed, allowing Bourg to play much better and take the series back to Paris for do-or-die Game 3: My pick: Bourg.

The 2024 BKT EuroCup Finals have reached their climax through an all-French affair. It's old versus new as Bourg seek their first European title in their 114-year history, while Paris also pursue a maiden international trophy having only been formed in 2018.

Paris Basketball-Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse | Finals Game 1 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

### Paris to sweep against Bourg

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Okay, this isn't the boldest prediction in the world but I think Paris will wrap up the EuroCup Finals tonight and finish the 2023-24 season with an unbeaten road record. Bourg did beat Paris 83-81 at Ekinox in the French League back in December, but Tuomas Iisalo's players will be out to avenge that defeat and book their ticket for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. In particular, I expect Paris's star duo of TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi to get the job done. My pick: Paris. 

Bourg is looking to bounce back in Game 2 of the EuroCup Finals and tie the best-of-three series against Paris Basketball.

Kevin Kokila: 'We will do everything in our capacity to win this game'

### Bourg will bounce back

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

Staying true to my near-perfect pre-playoffs bracket, I say this series goes the limit. Bourg wasn't ready for the Mike Tyson-like start that Paris began the series with, ripping boards and running, attacking the basket relentlessly, and more or less delivering the Game 1 knockout blow by the middle of the second quarter. But Bourg did what good teams do in such circumstances and laid the foundation for a longer series by buckling down on defense and taking the second half of Game 1 by 23-33. In fact, Paris only won the last three quarters of the series opener by 54-53. That shows that Bourg has the chops to compete in this series, and I think they'll do that on their home floor on Friday. My pick: Bourg.

Collin Malcolm, Paris: 'Go for it, or else it can slip away'

### Welcome to the EuroLeague, Paris!

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

Anything can happen in one game, of course, but there is little doubt as to the better team. Paris showed that in the first half on Tuesday and even though Bourg found itself in the second half, it was too little, too late. The question is whether Bourg uncovered something that will carry over into Game 2 or if Paris was just coasting with what it felt was an insurmountable lead. My hunch is the latter. Bourg has had an unbelievable season. It probably ends tonight. Congratulations to Paris. See you next season in the EuroLeague. My pick: Paris. 

After winning Game 1, Paris Basketball players are getting ready to seal the deal in Game 2 of the BKT EuroCup Finals played in Bourg.

"We are feeling excited to close this series and win the EuroCup," big man [Leon Kratzer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/leon-kratzer/004512/) said the night before Game 2. "But we all know it's going to be a different game."

For Kratzer, the key for the Paris team to lift a trophy on Friday will be to stay true to the style they have been showing all season.

"Most important is just to play our basketball," Kratzer explains. "We cannot allow them get in their play and we must impose our pace."

Watch the rest of the interview below to see what else Kratzer said ahead of Game 2 against Bourg.

Leon Kratzer, Paris: 'Most important is just to play our basketball'

Guard [Collin Malcolm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/collin-malcolm/012609/) also sat down with Javi Gancedo and showed his cool by saying that "it feels like any other game, honestly."

Malcolm admitted that both teams know each other very well because of their also playing the French League. That's why he is very clear on what will be needed on Friday night to win Game 2

"It's just intensity and effort, that's really what's it going to come down to."

Malcolm is happy to be taking part in a European final series, but he is very focused on the moment.

"You have to stay in the moment and just keep going," Malcolm says. "Go for it, or else it can slip away and it can slip away very easily."

Watch the rest of the interview below to see what else Malcolm said ahead of Game 2 against Bourg.

Paris players caught up with Javier Gancedo ahead of Game 2 of the EuroCup Finals.

JL Bourg duo Kevin Kokila and E. J. Rowland caught up with Javier Gancedo ahead of Game 2 of the BKT EuroCup Finals.

 Kevin Kokila, Bourg: 'Every important game, we won at home' 

After falling in Game 1, where they were down by 23 points at halftime, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse is getting ready to change things around in Game 2 of the BKT EuroCup Finals.

"There are a lot of things we didn't like about how we played in Game 1," Bourg guard [E.J. Rowland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/earl-rowland/000498/) said ahead of Friday night's game. "At the end of the day, you have to win one at home, and we have to win the one on the road."

For him, the key is a good start, and not getting itself in a hole, like Bourg has done in the series opener.

"We have to match their intensity," Rowland said. "If we let them get advantage early, it's going to be a difficult game."

The difference, this time, is that Bourg plays on its home floor and will be carried by it fans at the Ekinox.

"We have great fans, everybody is really excited," Rowlands said. "Walking around this city, everybody is really proud."

Watch the rest of the interview below to see what else Rowland said ahead of Game 2 against Paris.

After falling in Game 1, where they were down by 23 points at halftime, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse is getting ready to change things around on home floor in front of its fans in Game 2 of the BKT EuroCup Finals against Paris Basketball.

E.J. Rowland: "Everybody is really proud"

Big man [Kevin Kokila](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/) said he and his teammates know that they "messed up the first game."

"We were not as hungry as they were," Kokila said. "They fought more than us, and that’s not normal at this stage."

Kokila believes that situation will not be repeated, especially with Ekinox packed by Bourg fans:

"The support of our fans at home has been incredible all season long," Kokila said. Bourg is 11-1 on home floor this season

"Every important game, we won at home. We know we have a huge advantage here, and we want to use it tomorrow."

Check out the rest of the interview with Kokila below.

Bourg players caught up with Javier Gancedo ahead of Game 2 of the EuroCup Finals.


Kevin Kokila, Bourg: 'Every important game, we won at home'

The Bourg veteran is aiming to become the oldest EuroCup champion ever.

E.J. Rowland, Bourg: 'Never thought I'd be playing this long'

E. J. Rowland is back in the BKT EuroCup after a seven-year absence, and at age 40, he could become the oldest competition champion ever if Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse goes all the way.

 

Rowland first played in the EuroCup almost 17 years ago, debuting with German side Artland Dragons on November 6, 2007, to score 10 points against Pau-Orthez, coincidentally the lifelong club of his current coach, Frederic Fauthoux.

 

"For a lot of Americans that come to Europe, we don't really understand the dynamics of EuroLeague or EuroCup, the different leagues and domestic leagues," Rowland recalled. "We were all just really young and just hungry to achieve something in our careers. So much time has passed, but I can still remember moments."

 

Bourg is Rowland's sixth team in the EuroCup. Between his debut and 2017, he also played for VEF Riga of Latvia, Banvit Bandirma of Turkey, Khimki Moscow Region of Russia and Hapoel Jerusalem of Israel for a total of 109 career games. He ranks sixth all-time among EuroCup scorers with 1,275 points and seventh with 387 assists.

 

Despite all his previous tried, this is his first EuroCup Finals and Rowland is excited to be in it with Bourg.

"I hope everybody understands the opportunity that's in front of us. It's special."

"I'm happy to be back playing at a high level. I feel good mentally. I feel good physically and it's great being a part of a good team," Rowland said. "We actually have a chance to win something, and I have said that since like the first couple of weeks that I joined the team. So, it's cool to see it come to fruition."

 

It is an unexpected opportunity. After playing the 2016-17 EuroCup with Khimki, Rowland went on to play in Turkey, Spain, Iran, Israel and Poland before returning to the competition with Bourg, who signed him as an injury substitute back in October and a month later extended his contract through the end of this season.

 

All of a sudden, Rowland is closer than ever before to the EuroCup title.

 

"At the beginning of your career, you just think that these opportunities are going to come all the time, right? And I have been on some really good teams that I felt had the chance to get a title. But different things happen, whether it's injuries or running into a team that's playing really well at the right time, or just teams not having the chemistry," Rowland said. "And so I noticed from the first couple of weeks I was here, I thought, 'We have talent, we have good chemistry, unselfishness, a lot of the qualities that you need. And it won't be easy, but as long as we are in the moment and take it game by game, we would have a chance.'"

E.J. Rowland of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse: age 40 and still going strong!

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: E.J. Rowland, Bourg

Rowland's previous biggest EuroCup title shot came in 2015, when Banvit played the semifinals against a Khimki team led by Tyrese Rice, Petteri Koponen and Paul Davis. It was a two-way series and Banvit won the first leg but lost on points differential on an aggregate score of 175-172. Khimki went on to take the title.

 

"We lost by such a narrow margin in Khimki. It was a missed opportunity," he recalled. "So being in this moment now is just like, 'Wow, this is nice.' I hope everybody understands the opportunity that's in front of us. It's special."

"A title at this stage would be a cherry on top."

While he was away from the competition, Rowland developed his own clothing company, GRRR, with friends, a small project that is growing every year.

 

"We were interested in creating clothes for ourselves and our close friends, but it started to expand and obviously through me being playing internationally, it's starting to grow some legs and catch some eyes," he said. "It really just represents going after what you want in life. So the motto is 'Attack life in full pursuit of your dreams'. So whether you as a journalist or me as a basketball player, we make sacrifices to be great at what we do, whether it's spending extra time, staying up late, going above and beyond to be successful. And so I feel like that relates to everyone."

 

Even though he has GRRR to fall back on, joining Bourg at age 40 was not a tough decision for Rowland.

 

"I never thought I'd be playing this long, but I still love it. And I still have a competitive spirit. And going into the gym every day, I still like to compete. I still like being around the guys," Rowland said. "I'm lucky that I found this situation because it's just great people throughout the organization. At my age, those are things that matter most."

Despite losing the Game 1 to Paris Basketball on the road, Bourg has the chance to tie the series at home in Game 2 on Friday. If Bourg were to beat Paris twice, Rowland would become the oldest player to ever win the competition. Oliver Stevic was with 39 years, 4 months and 12 days old when he lifted the trophy with Dreamland Gran Canaria last season. Rowland turns 41 years old next month.

 

"Man, it would be amazing to get a title at this stage," he said. "That would just that would be a cherry on top."

Paris Basketball and Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse are making history for French basketball. For the first time, two French teams are facing each other in a European final. And when two opponents from the same country are facing off, you can expect the unexpected.

That’s the story so far in the EuroCup Finals.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1657177/eurocup-home-court-does-not-decide-the-civil-wars/)

This is the third time that a BKT EuroCup Finals has been a one-country affair, and in the past, the home-court advantage was pretty much irrelevant

EuroCup Finals MVP: TJ Shorts, Paris Basketball

Paris outlasts Bourg 81-89 to sweep to the trophy!

Paris Basketball reigns supreme in the EuroCup!

Stephane Risacher: 'Basketball is all over our family'

Finals, Game 2 predictions: Bourg vs. Paris

Collin Malcolm, Paris: 'Go for it, or else it can slip away'

Kevin Kokila, Bourg: 'Every important game, we won at home'

E.J. Rowland, Bourg: 'Never thought I'd be playing this long'

EuroCup: Home court does not decide the ‘civil wars’