Valencia Basket forward Xabi Lopez-Arostegui spoke with Javier Gancedo of the EuroCup's official website to discuss the club's upcoming semifinal series with Hapoel Tel Aviv BC.

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, Valencia: 'We have to focus on ourselves'

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) will play in the BKT EuroCup Semifinals next week for the first time since 2022 when it faces [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) in a three-game playoff series. One of the players who remains on the team that lost to Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the single-game semifinal in 2022 is [Xabi Lopez-Arostegui](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xabi-lopez-arostegui/005356/), who has been one of the team's pillars this season. 

In 17 EuroCup games, Lopez-Arostegui has averaged 11.4 points with great shooting (60.0% 2FG, 39.2% 3FG, 87.3% FT), 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 fouls drawn for a PIR of 14.6. He helped Valencia finish the regular season with the best overall record, which gives his team the home-court advantage in all potential playoff scenarios. Lopez-Arostegui told Javier Gancedo of the official EuroCup website that Game 1 of the series is the time to prove why having the home-court advantage is so important.

**Congratulations on a great season in the EuroCup. Not only personally, but also as a team. You have won 17 games and despite having injuries, you have been very consistent. What has allowed you to have that consistency throughout the season?**

"I think it's a bit of a team job from the beginning of the season with the goal of competing in all games. And as a result of that work and that mentality of going game by game, focusing on each game as the most important, we have achieved that goal. As you said, we have had injuries in some games, guards, centers... but I think the great thing about this year is that we have a very complete team, without any dependence on any player. Because whenever there was an injury, there was another player who played in that position and covered it for the rest of the team, and we got through it. So I think that speaks very well of the whole team, players and staff, that they have been able to prepare the games. The players have a good adaptability to different scenarios and situations. And well, we have been trying to win as many games as possible, and now we want to finish the season well, improve and use the home-court advantage in the playoffs. So far, we are happy."

In 17 BKT EuroCup games so far this season, Lopez-Arostegui averages 11.4 points on really solid shooting (60.0% 2FG, 39.2% 3FG, 87.3% FT), 3.9 rebounds, 3.7 fouls drawn and a PIR of 14.6.

2024-25 EuroCup highlights: Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, Valencia

**In fact, you scored 100 points or more in 11 games out of 19 so far. There is no precedent for that in the EuroCup. How much fun is it to be a part of this team?**

"It's fun, without a doubt. That's the good thing. In the same way that we don't depend on anyone, the game we have is very busy, the ball is moving a lot, there is a lot of intensity, there are more possessions, more opportunities for everyone to feel involved in the game on offense. And the truth is that in the end, that also helps everyone to have more fluidity, more confidence and everything comes out a little easier.

 

**This is your second time in the EuroCup Semifinals. You lost against Virtus in 2022 and also against the same team with Joventut in the 2021 quarterfinals. Do you have more motivation after those losses?**

"Yes, without a doubt. I have played in the EuroCup for several seasons and as you said, I had the opportunity to play in the quarterfinals with Joventut and then that semifinal game at La Fonteta in my first season with Valencia. It was a painful loss and I will try to be as well prepared as possible. I am looking forward to a series against a strong rival, and let's see if we do a good job."

 

**You have had a strong season. You've rebounded very well and scored many important shots, playing as well as ever. How important has self-confidence been for you this season?**

"I spoke to Pedro \[Valencia head coach Pedro Martinez\] at the beginning of the year, I told him that I also wanted to bring back this more aggressive version of myself, attacking the rim more often because I had been in a position for a few years in which I had wait a little longer for the ball. We had to play the style of play we had, we didn't have many opportunities, and I wanted to try to recover that aspect of my game, because I also wanted to help the team. So, I have been working on it since the preseason, with that mentality. I also have very good teammates, competing with them helps me to improve in that area. It is something that I think I have discovered again. I am happy about it and enjoying it. In the end, when you are loose on the court and play with confidence, I think everything goes full circle. I am happy to have been able to enjoy it and I hope to be able to enjoy in the playoffs."

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui: "When you are loose on the court and play with confidence, I think everything goes full circle."

**We have to talk about Hapoel, which also had a great season. What do you like about the team?**

"I think that since Itoudis arrived, he gave them a lot of knowledge and solidity. I think that in the last 12 or 13 games they have won 10 or 11, I think it's something like that. They have a lot of experience at that level. They also have a lot of first-level players, not just in EuroCup, but also at the EuroLeague level. They have powerful centers and they could be stronger than our bigs, but we also want to focus on ourselves, to be loyal to our style, and we also know that if we play at a high pace, they won't feel as comfortable as we do. So, we want to try to implement our style, and as I said before, try to make up for the weaknesses we may have. We have to focus on ourselves and do things well so that they don't feel comfortable."

 

**As you mentioned, the game pace seems to be one of the biggest keys to the series. They seem to be more comfortable playing half-court basketball. Is that the case?**

"Yes, I think that, because of the style of their players, they look for more half-court situations. They run when they see a situation in which they can punish you. They don't have an automatic way to always run after defending and rebounding or even after scoring, which is what we do. I think that's something very important, doing that not just for a few minutes, but for all 40 minutes. During the season, there have been teams that have held us off for 10, 15, 20, 25 minutes, but when you get to the last quarter, and you are not used to playing at this rhythm, that can affect you. You can lose concentration and stop taking care of details on defense, and that's when we can go on a run. We have to know that it is a 40-minute game and be calm in that sense, because there will be good moments, bad moments. We have to stick to our playing style."

 

**I wanted to ask you about the two youngest players in the team. Jean Montero and Sergio De Larrea. From your point of view, how do you see their potential?**

"I think they are both very good players. Jean has been playing for a few years at the highest level in the ACB. In Europe, I think this is his first EuroCup season and he has shown that he has a very good level, even though he's young. And De Larrea also had his good moments, dominating the game, being calm on the court, being a high-level player, capable of generating and scoring. I'm very happy to see him grow, because he has been practicing with the squad for a year now, and seeing that progression also makes us happy. They are two very important players for us, different, but very important, and I'm happy to have them on the team, because they are very talented players, and I'm sure they will have an important weight this season and in the future."

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui: ""If we play at a high pace, they won't feel as comfortable as we do."

**We have been told that your first official game when you were little was against your brother. Can you tell us a little bit about how it went?**

"I started playing basketball at school because of him. When I lived in Bilbao, I would watch him play. He was three years older than me and I would go to see his practices and games. I really liked it and I always played with them. And it turns out that once, in the school league, it wasn't very serious, but the opponent was missing a player to fill the scoresheet, I don't know if the minimum were seven or eight players. They put me to play against my brother's team and that's when I played my first game when I was little. I remember that my brother didn't want to defend me when we were playing against each other, so it was funny, really."

 

**This is Valencia's last season at La Fonteta, the most historic court in EuroCup history. Now that the end of the season gets closer, how much would you like to leave the building with some memorable wins?**

"Well, a lot, really. I think people, as you said, have been enjoying La Fonteta for many years, many magical nights, very good games, and we also know the value of the arena, of La Fonteta, of our fans, when there are important moments, of how they focus and how they push us to try to achieve the maximum goals. So I'm happy to be here as a player, and now we have a great end of the season ahead of us, so let's see if we can enjoy it and push hard so that we have historic nights."

 

**You've worked hard all season to get the home-court advantage. Is it that important in these situations?**

"It always is. We have earned the advantage of playing at home, and I think we have to be aware of it, us and our fans, because we can try to turn La Fonteta into a fortress so that Hapoel doesn't feel comfortable. We also have to play on the road, of course, and before that, make the most out of that first game at home. I think it's important to just focus on Game 1, which is the only important thing right now, and then we will think about the future, but we have to try to get that first victory, be the team that strikes first, and go for the series."

The Valencia swingman spoke to the EuroCup's Javier Gancedo ahead of the semifinal showdown with Hapoel

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui: 'We have to focus on ourselves'

Valencia Basket v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2025-03-25T19:30:00.000Z)

Begüm Yücel and Pinar Çiler Çağlayan are two women helping take Bahçeşehir College Istanbul to new heights in European basketball.

Begüm Yücel and Pinar Çiler Çağlayan: Inspiring Bahçeşehir College's journey

Begüm Yücel and Pinar Çiler Çağlayan are not focused on the history they are making. They understand being in the positions they are in sets them up to be role models and inspirations for others like them.

But they want something bigger: namely to turn [Bahçeşehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/bud/) into an established powerhouse in European basketball – ideally starting next season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Yücel and Çiler Çağlayan have guided their Turkish club to just four victories from winning the BKT EuroCup and earning the right to play next season in the EuroLeague.

What makes Yücel and Çiler Çağlayan special, you might ask? Both the Club President Yücel and General Manager Çiler Çağlayan are women. Strong-willed and ambitious women doing their part in breaking down the gender barrier in European basketball.

Begüm Yücel, Club President at Bahçeşehir College Istanbul.

### A story unfortunately needing to be told

The disappointing aspect of telling this story is that Yücel and Çiler Çağlayan should not be anything special because they are women. It should not need to be highlighted that these two are women in a men’s game. It should not even be a side note.

Yücel and Çiler Çağlayan should just be seen as two basketball leaders looking to do something rarely seen in European basketball: taking a club from its founding in 2017 and winning the FIBA Europe Cup before now attempting to lift the EuroCup in a matter of eight seasons, which would book a spot in the second-best club competition in the world.

“We want to stay humble and go step by step," Yücel told David Hein via [his Taking The Charge Substack page](https://takingthecharge.substack.com/p/begum-yucel-and-pinar-ciler-caglayan) ahead of Bahcesehir's quarterfinal clash with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, [a game the team won 85-81](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bahcesehir-rallies-past-cedevita-85-81/). "We are still far from the \[EuroCup\] Final and we should focus on every game without thinking of the championship. This is basketball, anything can happen and it is impossible to control everything.

“With that being said, I can say that the target is seeing our name in the EuroLeague starting from next season, and it would mean the world to me personally since I was there in every step this club ever took.”

Çiler Çağlayan added: “Being just a few games from achieving our exact goal is incredibly exciting. Of course, it brings not only motivation but also pressure as it is unique to be this close to making history and knowing that every decision, every game could just define the whole season.”

Having beaten Cedevita, if Bahcesehir wins both of its best-of-three series in the semifinals and finals, it would become just the third Turkish club to win the EuroCup following Galatasaray Istanbul in 2016 and Darüşşafaka Istanbul in 2018. Frutti Extra Bursaspor and Türk Telekom Ankara reached the final in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and Besiktas Istanbul advanced to the semifinals last season.

“Turkish teams have made strong cases for the EuroLeague and it is pretty common to see EuroCup contenders from our country, which is very important," Yücel said. "Darüşşafaka were a great team with many future EuroLeague players; Bursaspor’s amazing final run was like a fairytale story; and Türk Telekom were one of the most successful teams that whole season both in the Turkish Super League and the EuroCup.

“The question we should ask ourselves might be if this is sustainable, and how many Turkish teams managed to stay competitive in Europe consistently besides Fenerbahçe Beko and Anadolu Efes. We want to stay competitive and be consistent which would be even more impressive than making it to the \[EuroCup\] Finals in my opinion.”

Bahçeşehir has been one of the best teams in the EuroCup this season, finishing the regular season atop Group A with a 14-4 record and securing a direct bye to the quarterfinals. Things have not gone quite as smoothly in the Turkish domestic league, where they have a 12-9 record in sixth place.

The team has essentially a EuroLeague-caliber roster with former EuroLeague play-caller Dejan Radonjic as head coach, as well as players such as [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/), [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/), [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/), [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/) and [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) all having played EuroLeague in the past. Bahcesehir added even more experienced depth in January by signing [Kenan Sipahi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenan-sipahi/005275/) – a veteran of 57 EuroLeague games – and former NBA star [Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/furkan-korkmaz/005763/).

“In the beginning, our goal was to make a name for ourselves, at least reach the playoffs and make it to the EuroLeague in at worst a couple of seasons," Yücel said. "When you overachieve any of your goals, you unavoidably want more. This season, we saw the light."

### From Turkish second division to FIBA Europe Cup champs and runners-up

And the light is certainly shining bright as the basketball club has seen a meteroic rise through first the Turkish ranks and then the European ranks. After being founded in 2017, Bahçeşehir started its journey in the Turkish second division and finished as runners-up in its first campaign. It played in the Turkish top flight, the Basketbol Süper Ligi, in its second season and finished ninth in 2018-19.

Bahçeşehir was given a spot in the FIBA Europe Cup in 2019-20 season and the team stormed to the semifinals before the remainder of the competition was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020-21 season saw Bahçeşehir debut in the EuroCup and register a 2-8 record, grabbing wins over Joventut Badalona and Umana Reyer Venice.

In 2021-22, the club took part in the FIBA Europe Cup for a second time. Head coach Erhan Ernak guided a team including established players such as Sam Dekker, Jamar Smith, Langston Hall and Oguz Savas to the title, beating Italian side Reggio Emilia 162-143 over a two-leg aggregate.

In the Turkish BSL, Bahçeşehir College was swept 2-0 by Galatasaray Istanbul in the first-round quarterfinals and the club missed the playoffs in 2022-23 with a ninth-placed finish.

The 2022 FIBA Europe Cup title gave Bahçeşehir College the right to play in the Basketball Champions League in 2022-23. And the team went 3-3 in the group stage before being eliminated by Filou Oostende 2-1 in the play-in. The Round of 16 group proved too much as the club went 0-6 to bow out.

Bahçeşehir Collegemoved back down to the FIBA Europe Cup for 2023-24 and won its first-round group, then went undefeated in the second round as well. The Turkish side had a coaching change in December 2023, releasing Sinan Atalay in favor of Dejan Radonjic. The former EuroLeague play-caller guided Bahcesehir past FC Porto and Varese in the first two rounds of the FIBA Europe Cup playoffs.

In the finals, the Turkish side had a thrilling battle with NINERS Chemnitz. The Germans won the opening leg 85-74 at home. Bahçeşehir took the victory in the return leg in Türkiye but it was only a 105-95 overtime victory, meaning Chemnitz took the crown with a 180-179 aggregate victory.

## Bahçeşehir College a place of higher education

This seems like a good time to take a step back. Bahçeşehir has already established itself as a club to take seriously. But who or what is Bahçeşehir?

Bahçeşehir College belongs to the Bahçeşehir Uğur Educational Institutions family, which has been operating in the field of education for nearly half a century. Bahçeşehir College started education in its first campus in 1994 in the western Istanbul district of Bahçeşehir.

Bahçeşehir College had the mission of bringing quality education to every corner of Türkiye and began to open branches in Istanbul and throughout Türkiye.

According to the club, Bahçeşehir College serves nearly 100,000 students on 153 campuses in 63 provinces across Türkiye. It considers itself a “pioneer in world-class, contemporary and high-quality education in Türkiye” since 1994 with its practices that make a difference in foreign language education and educational models that set an example for the world.

Bahçeşehir College, the private Bahçeşehir University and Uğur Schools are part of the BAU Global Education Network, an international education network with institutions across three continents and 11 countries.

Bahçeşehir College has a total of 15,425 employees and 11,096 of them are women, making up 70 percent of the workforce.

“For me, gender equality isn't just about numbers or quotas but creating an environment of respect, fairness, and inclusivity," Yücel said. "Ensuring that women feel equally empowered to take on leadership roles and be confident in their abilities is crucial."

And bringing Bahçeşehir back to Begüm Yücel, the Bahçeşehir College itself was founded in 1994 by Enver Yücel, Begum’s father.

On top of that, Begüm’s brother Hüseyin founded the basketball club in 2017 – transferring the rights from Turkish second division side Acıbadem Üniversitesi SK – and served as its president until December 2023, when he moved to Beşiktaş to take over a second time as that basketball club’s president. And Begüm filled the presidency vacancy at Bahçeşehir.

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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/CZjOKbPDNIg/?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 Hüseyin Yücel (@huseyinyucel)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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In addition to the senior men’s team, Bahçeşehir College have been working tirelessly to help develop young talent, with nearly 40 youth teams across the country. The club’s teams won the Turkish U16 and U18 championships in 2023, and in 2024 they won the Turkish U14 national title.

## Family love of Beşiktaş

While father Enver Yücel has been involved with Bahçeşehir since 1994, the basketball team has only existed since 2017. And the Yücel family’s rooting interests in the heated battle for fans’ hearts in the Istanbul sports landscape have always been with Beşiktaş.

“Yes, we were Beşiktaş fans growing up, and I have only good memories about Beşiktaş," Begüm Yücel admitted. "Supporting a club, it makes you feel like you are part of a huge community. In Türkiye, it is no different than having a family legacy.

“Of course, most of the fanbases in our country are football-oriented. As I grew up, I started to lose interest in football. I am the biggest fan of the Bahçeşehir College basketball team and my love for basketball dictates my life.”

Her brother Hüseyin had previously worked with Beşiktaş as well, so when he answered the call to the Black and Whites in December 2023, it was not a surprise for Begüm, especially given his love for the club.

And given her own love of the Bahçeşehir College, taking over as club president was also a no-brainer.

“I was the biggest fan of Bahçeşehir College from the very beginning and I was involved in a lot of business decisions with my family. It was a natural move for both sides, and it felt like the right thing to do,” she said. “The whole organization knew my passion for the game and the club. I was confident once I saw their support. After the decision was made, we talked about some general details. I wanted to learn from his experiences but I always knew I wanted to run things my way.”

## History being made – inspiration in the works

By taking over the reins, Yücel was also making history. Four years earlier in 2019, Berna Gözbasi became the first female president in Turkish football history at Kayserispor. Now it was Yücel’s turn. She had become the first female president at a men’s Turkish professional basketball club.

“I believe women should always have greater presence in management roles in professional sports clubs and, of course, in business as well," Yücel said. "I am happy to have taken on this role but I do not want to overthink it. I hope I can set a good example and one day we can eliminate terms like ‘female president’ and ‘female manager’ from our vocabulary."

When seeking inspiration, she always looked to her parents.

“My parents are and always have been my biggest role models. Their road to success is very inspiring and what they have been able to do for the children in Türkiye, how they manage to adapt to all the drastic changes in the system is impressive to me even as their daughter,” she said.

Yücel is aware that many eyes are looking at her. Most notably, those of young women and girls in the country.

“I am just trying to be the best version of myself while doing my job," she said. "If it inspires other women and especially young girls who want to be successful in sports business, it means I am doing my job right. I hope more and more women succeed on their business journeys.

“Having women in leadership roles shows young girls that they belong in this space, too. When they see women making decisions, running teams, and succeeding in sports management, it breaks down the idea that this is a man’s world. It gives them the confidence to believe in themselves and take the leap into this career, knowing that there’s a place for them to lead.”

Çiler Çağlayan has been impressed with Begüm Yücel since taking over for her brother.

“Begüm Yücel has not only carried forward the club’s success but with her vision, our club remains a competitive, well-run and respected organization," Çiler Çağlayan said. "Having a president like Begüm Yücel not only breaks down the barriers but reshapes the culture, broadens opportunities and drives the long-term growth.

“Begüm Yücel represents a modern, strategic and sustainable vision to club management and always focusing long-term development rather than just short-term results. I strongly believe that having Begüm Yücel as the president of Bahçeşehir College, a club now just a few wins away from reaching the EuroLeague, is not only a remarkable moment for our club but also for both Turkish and European basketball.”

## Çiler Çağlayan taking her own historic journey

Pinar Çiler Çağlayan, for her part, has been with Bahçeşehir from the very beginning. She worked with the club from its founding in 2017 as Executive Manager and remained in that post until February 2024, when Mehmet Alpaslan Aydın became a board member and she moved into the position.

That made Çiler Çağlayan the first female general manager in Turkish men’s basketball history.

“I can say it is a personal milestone and with the right approach women can lead and succeed in men’s professional sports," she said. "It also challenges the mindset that only men can lead and succeed in men’s professional sports.

“It is essential to create a structure where women take on significant roles not only in traditionally male-dominated fields but in every branch, department and position within the sports to ensure this equality.”

When asked how other leaders in the European basketball community responded to her becoming general manager of the club and making history, Çiler Çağlayan said: “I received messages of support and positive reactions from many people I have had the opportunity to work with or compete against. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank everyone who has written, called and supported me.”

Just like for Yücel, the hope for Çiler Çağlayan is that evaluation of individuals can be done on merit and not be highlighted by exclusion out of tradition or unawareness.

“While emphasizing equality, it is also crucial not to highlight discrimination even further," she said. "When we evaluate individuals not as male or female executives, but simply as executives, and the primary criterion becomes the work itself, I believe that gender equality in sports can be naturally balanced without reinforcing division."

And again just like Yücel, Çiler Çağlayan knows the eyes of inspiration are cast upon her from young women and girls dreaming of doing similar great things.

“With this role being entrusted to me, I can confidently say that I will do my best to create a positive impact and show the path exists for them in sports management. I truly believe that the hard work will be recognized, regardless of gender,” she said.

It should not be a shock that Çiler Çağlayan is helping bring Bahçeşehir to lofty heights. She already helped two Turkish clubs rise further than ever before. She hails from Ankara but grew up in Izmir and played basketball recreationally there. She returned to the Turkish capital in 2009 to study philosophy at Bilkent University.

She was taking some online courses from FIBA and had a certificate for team management, but before planning on moving to to Netherlands to participate in the Erasmus program wanted some experience.

Çiler Çağlayan wrote to Ankara-based Süper Liga teams Hacettepe Universitesi Basketbol Kulübü, TED College, Türk Telekom Ankara and only Mutlu Hayran from Hacettepe responded. She then joined the club as administrative manager.

“Mutlu Hayran was the person who taught me everything when I first started in this field. I was 18 years old, and as the first female administrative manager, he believed in me. His trust and support at such an early stage in my career gave me the confidence to pursue my goals and prove myself in male-dominated industry,” she said of Hayran, who was the club’s general manager. “His mentorship, guidance, and leadership style helped me understand and handle challenges, make strategic decisions, and build strong teams.”

The team had been promoted from the Turkish third division to the second flight in 2009 and finished first in the then TB2L regular season but just missed out on promotion. With Çiler Çağlayan on board, Hacettepe finished second in the regular season before taking second place in the postseason to earn promotion to the Turkish first division.

Hacettepe ended up staying there two seasons, being relegated back to the second division in 2013, and Çiler Çağlayan returned to her studies in Ankara.

She would later reunite with former Hacettepe head coach Alp Bayramoğlu at Acıbadem Üniversitesi SK, a newly founded club Istanbul-based club in 2014.

Acıbadem started in the third division and immediately won the league, gaining promotion to the second flight in 2015. They finished second in the regular season in 2015-16 but lost 3-1 to Balıkesir in the Semi-Finals.

In 2016-17, Acıbadem finished sixth in the league and beat Socar Petkim in the quarterfinals but then finished last in the Final Four, which was a round-robin style group with each team playing the other three teams home and away.

Acıbadem was unable to reach the top flight and team owner Mehmet Ali Aydınlar decided to give up the club’s rights to Bahçeşehir Koleji Sports Club.

Çiler Çağlayan moved over to Bahçeşehir in 2017 and started taking the new club to another level. And one of her role modes was Alper Tunca Yılmaz, who served as sports director and general manager at Anadolu Efes Istanbul from 2009 to 2024 and guided the club to back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crowns in 2021 and 2022.

“I didn’t get the chance to work with Alper Tunca Yılmaz, but his work ethic and dedication have always been an inspiration to me. Watching his approach to hard work, discipline, and professionalism has influenced the way I approach my own career,” she said of Yılmaz, who in November 2024 left Efes to become sports director of the Turkish Basketball Federation.

Pinar Çiler Çağlayan, General Manager at Bahçeşehir College Istanbul.

## Not easy being a woman in a man’s world

Look at Çiler Çağlayan’s résumé and you have to think the general manager has really climbed the basketball ladder and deserves to be on the brink of something fantastic with the club.

Look at Çiler Çağlayan herself and if you don’t know who see is and her standing in the basketball landscape, all that hard work, sweat, dedication and grind often has been for naught.

“At the beginning, outsiders never assumed I was a manager. Many thought I was a nutritionist or part of the medical team. Some team representatives even assumed I was a TV presenter rather than a basketball executive. And on a few occasions, at the passport controls in airports, I was even asked if I was a cheerleader!”

Let that sink in. The general manager of a club with a European club title as well as a runners-up finish in a second season was being asked if she was a cheerleader for the team.

Still, Çiler Çağlayan took the high road, saying: “These moments both funny and eye-opening, showing just how deeply gender stereotypes are ingrained in sports. However, over time, through hard work and persistence, perceptions changed, and now people recognize me for what I am, a manager in basketball.”

She continued: “I never had an ambition for titles. For me, the most important thing has always been hard work, enjoying the journey, and learning as much as possible. I was really young when I started this job, and to be taken seriously took time, let’s say at least 10 years.”

She finished that statement with a smile. But her president knows exactly what she has with Çiler Çağlayan on her side.

“Pınar has always been amazing. She was our administrative manager for years and she has been killing it as the GM as well. She is one of the most respected professionals in Turkish basketball community and deserves it,” Yücel said. “It is of course important for a woman to be in this position and it sets an example, but our intention was never to hire or promote her because of her gender.”

Yücel herself says she really didn’t face many barriers being a woman in the game.

“I’ve been fortunate to receive strong support from everyone at the club and from those around me. This support has made it possible to focus on my goals and continue growing as a leader without being held back. I believe having a supportive environment is key to overcoming any challenge,” she said.

## Not the only women in European men’s basketball

What Yücel and Çiler Çağlayan are doing it not entirely unpredecented. There have been and are other women leading clubs in European basketball.

Natalia Furaeva serves as Vice President of eight-time EuroLeague champions CSKA Moscow while Natalia Kuznetsova is the Executive Director of the club. Both have been with the Russian giants since 2002 and in their posts since 2009, being part of two of those EuroLeague successes.

Natalia Furaeva, Vice President at CSKA Moscow.

Graziella Bragaglio is the president and co-owner of Pallacanestro Brescia, which won the Italian Cup in 2023.

Veronica Bartoli has served as the president of Reggio Emilia since 2020 and took over from another female president, Maria Licia Ferrarini.

In Greece, Vasiliki Belekou was the president of the club Charilaos Trikoupis, based in a small city called Mesologi, which played in the first division during the 2020-21 season but is now in the amateur divisions.

Audrey Sauret – a former FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2001 champion with France and two-time Women’s EuroLeague winner – has been the General Manager of French club Élan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez since September 2022.

In addition, Defne Patir has been the Director of Basketball Operations and Media Relations Manager with Fenerbahçe Istanbul’s men’s team since 2010.

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## What do leading male figures in Europe think?

With the cases being so few, women holding leadership positions in men’s basketball remains a highly uncommon occurrence. That begs the question: what do some leading male figures in the European game think about Yücel and Çiler Çağlayan and what they are doing with Bahçeşehir College?

“I had a lot of talks with them, especially negotiating the deal for their current coach Radonjic. Everything was at a very high level, especially their professionalism,” said Misko Ražnatović, one of the leading agents in European basketball.

“Those two are smart and educated with vision and passion. And it made them successful.”

When asked what barriers he thinks women aspiring to leadership roles face, Ražnatović added: “A lot. Their starting position is low because generally people believe women don’t know the sport, and especially basketball. More or less, nobody has experience in negotiating anything in the sport with women. They had to have a lot of patience and self-confidence to ignore all of that and prove that they are capable of leading their club.”

Himar Ojeda, the sports director of the German EuroLeague club ALBA Berlin, is confident in saying women are qualified to be taking leadership positions.

“It's about time that we all correct that. I definitely think that they have all the necessary skills to be effective leaders,” Ojeda said.

“I think it means a lot for European basketball to have a big club with two powerful women. It will give a good impulse and I really hope that the things go well there because it will open up possibilities and appreciation in different places for young women that might be coming up into the organizations.”

And while it may not be hiring a female executive, Ojeda still showed with ALBA how much he values women’s basketball. Before the 2019-20 season, he and the club dedicated themselves to professionalizing women’s basketball in their club and lead it to the national peak. ALBA’s women’s team reached the German first division in 2022 and won the German title in 2024.

“We have some women in our organization and we're trying to empower them and trying to open up situations for them. And Bahçeşehir College is definitely a good example. It will be very, very powerful. I would love to envision a time when women will be leading clubs not as an exception.”

Ojeda urged that not all men are the same and not all women are the same. But there are some traits that women tend to have, he believes.

“I don't think there will be big differences that they're women and the others are men. Still, as a general idea, I think women are less tempted to go into overpowered situations that historically we as men have been done,” he said.

Nemanja Bjelica, for his part, doesn’t know why it’s such a big deal to have two powerful women leading the club. The former EuroLeague MVP with Fenerbahçe and former NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors experienced that in the United States during his seven years in the NBA.

Bjelica witnessed Greek-American Matina Kolokotronis as Chief Operating Officer with the Sacramento Kings. Kolokotronis is serving her 27th season with the Kings.

“She was doing the same stuff. So I don't know why it's strange when you see some female running the club or being on the top of the club,” Bjelica said.

There was also Nanea McGuigan, who has been Senior Manager, Executive Assistant to the General Manager, and Basketball Operations Coordinator at Golden State since 2004.

“I think maybe women are more organized than us,” Bjelica said, adding: “Sometimes women do things better than we do and it maybe helps make it a little more equal.”

Yücel once said in an interview that when a woman touches something, everything becomes more organized and more professional. She talked more about that women’s touch.

“Mostly the intangible things and little details matter to me in this case. I do not want to differentiate anyone, but I believe having a diversed environment in the work place leads to success. Most of the sports teams do not have that and I think it gives us an edge.”

Çiler Çağlayan added: “Having a woman in the management brings a unique and positive impact on a club’s culture and values. Women in leadership roles often emphasize communication, collaboration, relationship-building, fostering a healthy and structured work environment. This approach encourages stronger teamwork between departments, improving efficiency and creating a more connected organization. A well-organized and communicative culture directly benefits team performance, morale, and long-term stability.”

One of Bahçeşehir’s players, Jaleen Smith, loves the idea of having women at the head of the club.

“That's amazing. I tell everybody: my president, she's a woman, because you never hear anything about that in European basketball. You could say she's like Jeanie Buss (the Los Angeles Lakers' controlling owner and president). But it's great to have leadership like that because she treats herself as a professional as well. She comes in, talks to us before the games. She's taking care of everybody, like the true professional that she is,” Smith said.

“And having her and Pinar is really nice to have. And it also shows growth in the basketball world that more women could be in that position and have successful basketball teams under their leadership.”

When asked how important it would be for this club with this dynamic to reach the EuroLeague, Smith added: “If we go to EuroLeague, then it's going to be… it's going to be f\*\*\*ing amazing to have a woman president in the EuroLeague with a team. That's going to be awesome to say and also to be a part of. She has her team in EuroLeague and brought it up from basically nothing to now this.”

## Former NBA champ and EuroLeague MVP as sports director

Nemanja Bjelica has had a front-row seat to watch Yücel and Çiler Çağlayan. After playing the game for 20 years, Bjelica, who calls himself "just a kid from Block 70 in New Belgrade", joined forces with Bahçeşehir College in April 2024, taking the spot as sports director.

During the 2023-24 season, Bjelica was with Fenerbahçe but unable to play due to injury. Bahçeşehir College was playing a game in the city and he decided to use his free time to check it out.

“I learned more and I met with the people of Bahçeşehir College and it just happened," Bjelica said. "I never expected it, I never counted on this. I was never thinking in this direction. My goal was always to go back to NBA, to stay there, to live in USA. But now I'm here, I'm very happy."

The 36-year-old announced his retirement from the game on March 23, 2024 and only about four weeks later on April 21, Bahçeşehir College announced that he had been hired as sports director.

“What Begüm Yücel has done is unbelievable. I never seen such a club organization in Europe. I'm not putting Bahçeşehir College into the top 10 teams in the EuroLeague. I know where we are now. But potential-wise, I'm just talking about big picture, it's beautiful, it's unbelievable.”

Bjelica played from 2010 to 2015 in the EuroLeague, the last of those two years were in Türkiye with Fenerbahçe, winning the league MVP in 2014-15. And he understands the pressure that teams in the country face, having lost to Real Madrid in the EuroLeague Semifinals at the Final Four.

“Türkiye is very tough place to work because you need to win every day. You need to win yesterday,” he said. “I'm competitor and I want to win, but I'm very aware, even though what we did so far, it was really great accomplishment.

"But what about next year? So we've got to have consistency. We've got to be professional and a philosophy or a family, like this team is completely different than other team. We want to be gentlemen, we want to behave well. It's all other small things what can help you to build some big organization. Of course, it takes time but it's a different culture.”

And all that is a testament to the work of the president and general manager.

“It's great that females are working in some sports organization. Because I believe that all of us, we are equal. So she's the best,” Bjelica said of Yücel. “We are lucky that the family loves basketball, that our president loves basketball. It's easier to talk, to explain.

"I believe what I learned most in this job, you've got to be honest. You've got to be honest. Even if you make mistakes, you've just got to say what you think, what you feel. Because otherwise, a big company or a big sports organization with more than 30, 50 people who you see every day, then you're going to lose the edge. You're going to lose the trust. So everybody's got to be on the same page. You need to treat everybody the same. You need to respect, first of all, yourself. You need to respect your employees. And, of course, I've always got to say you've got to win.”

Nemanja Bjelica, Head of Basketball Operations at Bahçeşehir College Istanbul, alongside Club President Begüm Yücel.

Bjelica has been in the game of basketball for some two decades, and what Çiler Çağlayan is doing with the club just thrills him.

“Without Pinar, I wouldn't be able to do anything," he said. "For me, it’s a privilege, and I’m really grateful working with her, and I can learn a lot of stuff from her because I was so lucky to be in the best team in the world, like the Golden State Warriors, and I saw the best from the best. And what Pinar is doing here – like her skills, her job – it's the same with the top NBA teams.

“Pinar is special and she's a hard worker. And she's like the top people from the NBA. So we are a very professional team and organized. And without her, we wouldn't be here today.”

Bjelica was asked to further explain what he meant in terms of Çiler Çağlayan and being at a similar level as NBA executives – not being asked to compare.

“What she's doing is the same way as top NBA teams," he said. "She's always on time. She comes first to the office. Always leaving last. She's so focused, she always prepares everything on time and always thinks ahead."

Çiler Çağlayan, meanwhile, believes that adding Bjelica adds instant credibility to Bahçeşehir College and its reputation.

“It was a crucial decision for the future of our club. Nemanja’s experience and deep understanding of the game instantly elevated the club’s credibility, professionalism, and basketball operations,” she said. “His experience as a EuroLeague MVP and NBA champion brings a unique perspective on team building, player development, and competitive culture.”

She continued: “His presence makes Bahçeşehir College a more attractive destination for top players, as they know they will be working together someone with proven success at the highest levels. From the start, we have had a strong and open communication, and it is very important to build the culture together also with the same vision.”

## Is Bahçeşehir College ready for the EuroLeague?

Once Yücel took over as club president, one of the first trips she made was to Belgrade to speak to Dejan Bodiroga, the president of Euroleague Basketball.

“I wanted to meet him mainly because he is in charge of the best basketball organization in Europe," Yücel said. "I wanted to learn from his experiences and we discussed the steps we could take to grow as a team. Also we talked about basketball and management."

Bahçeşehir College is just four EuroCup victories away from being in the EuroLeague and is able to boast a head coach with EuroLeague experience and many players who have played in the competition, but that doesn’t mean the club is ready for the EuroLeague.

“The EuroLeague is a different level of competition, with the teams having larger budgets and deeper rosters," Çiler Çağlayan said. "Bahçeşehir College is capable of following all kinds of requirements being a part of the EuroLeague. We have a great and consistent organization off the court also but with the help of Euroleague \[Basketball\], it will get better and better.

“We are trying to establish the right structure where everyone only focuses on their own responsibilities without taking on extra burdens. This allows each person to perform their job better and ensures that the system runs smoothly and consistently.

“There are no easy games in the EuroLeague, so also mentally we should be ready for the pressure of it and keep the winning mentality and consistency as a key.”

Let's hope that we no longer need to see cases like Begüm Yücel and Pinar Çiler Çağlayan as anything special just because they are women. Until then, let’s all realize just how special the situation at Bahçeşehir College is.

More Bahcesehir News

Begüm Yücel and Pinar Çiler Çağlayan are on the verge of making history at Bahçeşehir College Istanbul. The Turkish club is close to becoming a EuroLeague team - with two women at the helm.

Begüm Yücel and Pinar Çiler Çağlayan: Inspiring Bahçeşehir's journey

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-04-02T17:00:00.000Z)

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2025-03-28T20:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-03-25T17:00:00.000Z)

Look back at all the action in Quarterfinals of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Quarterfinals

Look back at all the action from Quarterfinals of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Valencia Basket waltzed into the EuroCup Semifinals after showing all its quality against U-BT Cluj-Napoca.

Valencia followed the script with another collective masterpiece

Boasting home-court advantage and the best record in the BKT EuroCup, it always looked like [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) was the red-hot favorite for [Wednesday’s quarterfinal matchup with U-BT Cluj Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-cruises-past-cluj-98-74-and-into-last-four/).

And so it proved, with the Spanish team once again firing on all cylinders to follow the script and claim a convincing 98-74 triumph, setting up a three-game semifinal series with [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) starting later this month.

This mismatch was an impressive exhibition of Valencia’s versatile qualities, showcasing exactly why coach [Pedro Martinez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/martinez-pedro/?season=U2024)’s men have been the competition’s dominant team throughout the season and are regarded by many as the most likely eventual champion.

*Las Taronjas* thrilled their fans inside a packed La Fonteta by netting 18-of-28 three-point attempts for a solid 64.3%, also adding 17 three-pointers on 42 efforts (40.5%) and delivering a demonstration of collective offense by dishing 30 assists. There was also physical dominance, with Valencia winning the battle of the boards 43-37, including 12 at the offensive end, and strong defense with 12 steals forcing a total of 18 Cluj turnovers.

The collective nature of the home team’s triumph was further illustrated by all 11 players who stepped on the floor scoring at least one field goal and grabbing at least one rebound, while eight players recorded assists and the 17 three-pointers came from 10 different players (only [Stefan Jovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/stefan-jovic/004863/) didn’t score a three-pointer, and he didn’t attempt one). And just to prove the point further, eight different Valencia players recorded a double-digit PIR.

The fact that strong contributions came from everywhere allowed coach Martinez to evenly distribute the playing time, with nobody playing more than [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/)’s 23 minutes and nine different players getting at least 14 minutes on the floor.

So it’s clear that Valencia is looking very strong all over the court – and all over the bench – as it prepares for the last four matchup with Hapoel. And that collection of talent is producing the goods on a consistent basis, gaining double-digit victories in 11 of its 19 games so far this season.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Estamos en semis, Familia 🧡<br><br>Vendrán más días así, ve preparando la garganta 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/SL7nWW99en">pic.twitter.com/SL7nWW99en</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1899934374025412686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Although satisfied with his team’s efforts, coach Martinez also showed the perfectionist streak possessed by so many sidelines chiefs as he pointed out areas for improvement and acknowledged the difficulties Cluj presented.

“We had some problems in the third quarter because Cluj played great defense, especially with [\[Adam\] Mokoka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/adam-mokoka/012698/) pressing the ball,” he reflected. “We were out of our rhythm, but finally we recovered and I think they were tired in the last quarter. We had a longer roster today because they couldn’t count on [\[De'Shawn\] Stephens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/de-shawn-stephens/006618/), and that helped us.”

And although the first game of the semifinals is still a fortnight away, Martinez is already turning his mind to the matchup with [Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/itoudis-dimitris/?season=U2024)’s Hapoel, and fully expecting a tough battle despite his team’s dominance so far.

“It’s going to be very easy for us to respect Hapoel Tel Aviv,” he reasoned. “They have a great roster and great coaches. For me, at the beginning of the season they were one of the favorites to win the competition and it’s going to be very hard.

“It’s going to be a great opponent for us, and will force us to play at 100%.”

Fortunately for Valencia, playing at 100% is something Martinez’s team is able to achieve on a near-weekly basis.

Game News

Another great team display sent the Spanish team into the last four

Valencia Basket v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2025-03-12T19:30:00.000Z)

Marcus Foster went to another level to keep Hapoel’s season alive

It might have been far from pretty, but [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) is in the BKT EuroCup Semifinals. Hapoel came out on top in [a hard-fought battle against Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-fights-off-turk-telekom-moves-into-semifinals/) on Wednesday, a 67-61 win in a low-scoring quarterfinal affair, which was rather uncharacteristic for the Israeli side's high-scoring offense.

And while the defense shined against Turk Telekom, not much worked for Hapoel’s offense in this game. It resulted in just 28 first-half points, a record low for Hapoel in any half of a EuroCup game. When Turk Telekom put together a 2-8 run in the first two minutes of the third quarter, Hapoel found itself down 30-34.

That’s when combo-guard [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/) came to the fore.

### Foster's 14 second-half points

No one can say that Foster is an unlikely source of production. After all, no Hapoel player had scored more points (233) and made more three-pointers (33) entering the quarterfinals. And when not much was going his team's way, Foster couldn't have chosen a better time to step up.

"At some point I got to get myself going, and I got going a little bit," Foster said in a EuroLeagueTV postgame interview.

"For me individually, I’m just trying to find a way to help my team in many ways."

Down 30-34, Foster knocked down one three, then another to fuel an 8-0 run. He added another triple, his fourth of the night, to help open a 43-37 lead.

But even though Hapoel extended the margin to 12 points in the fourth quarter, the job was far from done.

Foster scored 21 in quarterfinals win

Turk Telekom rallied and got within 61-58 in the penultimate minute. On the crucial ensuing possession, the ball went to Foster, who used a second effort to get to the rim and make a bucket to reopen a five-point advantage, which Hapoel knew how to protect.

"My coach, the fans and my teammates, they pushed me to a whole other level. I am happy to be part of this," said Foster, who was thrilled after finishing the game with a game-high 21 points and tying his career best by pulling down 8 rebounds.

### Unsung heroes

For all the heroics Foster displayed, however, Hapoel needed a true team effort to progress to the next round.

Coach Dimitris Itoudis revealed after the game that [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/) decided to play despite stomach problems, but that did not stop him from stringing together 6 points at the end of the third quarter to help Hapoel build a 52-45 lead.

In addition, the team captain [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/) felt dizzy during the game after playing nearly 14 minutes in the first half.

"I could not use him in the second half," Itoudis confirmed.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">הפועל בחצי גמר היורוקאפ 👹👹👹 <a href="https://t.co/JxUK8yNqsc">pic.twitter.com/JxUK8yNqsc</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1899909273313784310?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

So, seldom-used 24-year-old [Guy Palatin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/guy-palatin/013283/) played late in the third and early in the fourth quarter, while [Oz Blayzer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/oz-blayzer/009877/) played the first seven minutes of the fourth. With a significant defensive contribution from both of them, Hapoel held the visitors to just 5 points in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter to build a 61-49 lead, which it held on to until the end.

So, to no surprise, after the game, Itoudis stressed the team’s unity and trust in each other.

"We played all 12 players. That is why it is important to have all 12 players, and stay united," Itoudis explained.

### 'We've got more to do'

Not to be forgotten on a dramatic night were the several hundred of Hapoel fans who made a long trip to Bulgaria to support and help their favorite team as Hapoel overcame its struggles.

"We were sharp even when \[Turk Telekom\] made its runs", said Blayzer. "We knew that could happen and we stayed strong with the amazing support of the crowd. They made a difficult trip to come here and support us and they have a big role in this game."

So, for Hapoel, the journey continues past the quarterfinals for the first time in its three seasons since the club joined the competition. Next up, it’s the best team in the EuroCup, Valencia Basket, which will have home court advantage in a best-of-three series.

"This is what we came here for since the beginning of the season, to get to the finals and win," Foster pointed out. "We are right where we want to be, but we've got more to do."

When not much was going offensively for Hapoel, Marcus Foster could hardly find a better time to step up

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Turk Telekom Ankara (2025-03-12T17:00:00.000Z)

In the one-and-done BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals, Marko Simonovic led Bahcesehir College Istanbul in a come-from-behind 85-81 win over visiting Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana.

Quarterfinals MVP: Marko Simonovic, Bahcesehir College Istanbul

In the one-and-done BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals, Marko Simonovic led Bahcesehir College Istanbul in a come-from-behind 85-81 win over visiting Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. The big man scored a career-high 20 points, making 4 of 6 two-pointers and his only three-point attempt, and sinking 9 of 10 free throws. Simonovic also pulled down 4 rebounds, including 3 on offense, had a career-high 3 steals and 1 assist. Simonovic accumulated a PIR of 27, which was the best of his career and the most of any player on a winning team in the quarterfinals.

Jerad Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem had a PIR of 29, the highest of all players in the quarterfinals, albeit in an 89-92 loss against Dreamland Gran Canaria. Harper had 24 points, 5 assists and 11 drawn fouls. Two players had PIRs of 23: Gran Canaria’s Caleb Homesley and Zach Hankins of U-BT Cluj-Napoca. Homesley tallied 21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 8 fouls drawn in a win over Jerusalem, while Hankins posted 12 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals in a 98-74 loss to Valencia Basket. Rounding out the list of the quarterfinals' top performers was Olivier Hanlan of Turk Telekom Ankara who had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists for a PIR of 22 in a 67-61 loss against Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv.

### Individual highs: Zach Hankins, Cluj, 13 rebounds

 

Harper led all players in the quarterfinals with 24 points and finishes his season as the EuroCup’s leading scorer with 23.2 points per game.

 

Hankins grabbed 13 rebounds, more than any other player in the four quarterfinal games. Kyle Alexander of Turk Telekom is the top rebounder with 7.1 per game.

 

Cluj’s Zavier Simpson dished 10 assists, the most in the quarterfinals. Simpson's maiden EuroCup campaign comes to an end with him leading the competition with 8.0 assists 8.0 per game.

 

Jerusalem’s Justin Smith led all players in the quarterfinals with 4 steals. Andrew Albicy leads the season-long steals charts with 2.1 per contest.

 

Kyle Alexander had a quarterfinal-high 4 blocks and finished the season as the EuroCup's top shot blocker, averaging 2.1 blocks.

 

There were two double-doubles in the quarterfinals, both by Cluj players: Hankins (12 points, 13 rebounds) and Simpson (12 points, 10 assists).

A career night in the most important game of the season earned Simonovic his first MVP of the Round award

Congratulations to Mantas Saviciunas, our 20th winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Mantas's team, 'Molinukai', posted a score of 178.75

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 20 winner

Congratulations to Mantas Saviciunas, our 20th winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Mantas's team, 'Molinukai', posted a score of 178.75

 

Mantas had the following starting lineup: Jared Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem as team captain, then Yam Madar of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, Khadeen Carrington also of Jerusalem, Braian Angola of Turk Telekom Ankara and Marko Simonovic of Bahcesehir College Istanbul. Turk Telekom center Kyle Alexander was the sixth man.

 

The head coach of Mantas's team was Pedro Martinez of Valencia Basket, while the four bench players were Jerusalem's Justin Smith, Brynton Lemar of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana,, Tyler Cavanaugh of Bahcesehir and Oz Blayzer of Hapoel.

 

The prize for finishing first in the 20th round of the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Mantas!

 

The leader in the overall standings remains Milos Mihajlovic and his squad, 'BallIsLife', which has a total of 3,421.2 points after the first 20 rounds. Trades are now open for the 21st round, which is Game 1 of the EuroCup semifinals, and the number of trades is unlimited.

 

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!

Valencia Basket’s 98-74 victory over UB-T Cluj-Napoca felt like the Spanish team was not only advancing to the next stage but also sending a message for the rest of the teams remaining in the BKT EuroCup, with a ruthless and focused performance that saw Coach Pedro Martinez’s men lead by double digits for nearly 33 minutes.

Chris Jones was staying focused after leading Valencia to victory

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2024-25)’s [98-74 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-cruises-past-cluj-98-74-and-into-last-four/) over [UB-T Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25) felt like the Spanish team was not only advancing to the next stage but also sending a message for the rest of the teams remaining in the BKT EuroCup, with a ruthless and focused performance that saw Coach Pedro Martinez’s men lead by double digits for nearly 33 minutes.

Although this was truly a team effort, the best performer statistically was [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-jones/010568/) with a game-high 14 points along with 9 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots for a PIR of 18.

Chris Jones stood out for Valencia in the quarterfinals

And the point guard readily agreed with the notion that this performance was a clear statement of intent for the title-chasing *Taronjas*, with Jones saying, "Definitely we wanted to show something in our first game in the playoffs in the EuroCup.

“We went out, we played hard, we got after it defensively, and I think that sparked the game for us, getting out on transition and stuff like that. We executed, not the best that could have, but we got the win, so I’m happy with that.”

Game Videos

The impression that Valencia knows its job is nowhere near done was further strengthened by the lack of celebratory atmosphere at the final buzzer. The Spanish team has already won the EuroCup on three occasions since 2010 and is clearly in the mood to add another trophy, with Jones keeping his game face on as he assessed the upcoming challenge presented by Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in the last four.

“It’s a journey,” he said. “We’ve got this one, we’ll enjoy it tonight, and then we’ll get back to the drawing board, focus on what we need to do and prepare ourselves.”

Judging by Wednesday’s performance, Valencia will not be lacking preparation or focus when the matchup with Hapoel rolls around.

The Spanish team is not celebrating yet despite a huge win over Cluj

Valencia Basket held its home court in emphatic fashion for a 98-74 victory over UB-T Cluj Napoca, sending the Spanish team into a semifinal meeting with Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv.

Valencia cruises past Cluj, 98-74, and into last four

Valencia Basket held its home court in emphatic fashion for a 98-74 victory over UB-T Cluj Napoca, sending the Spanish team into a semifinal meeting with Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv.

Valencia quickly found its offensive rhythm to take a double-digit first-quarter lead, and raced into a 53-36 advantage by halftime. Cluj fought but never got within single digits, as the host cruised to a victory that was safe long before the final buzzer.

Chris Jones orchestrated Valencia with 14 points and 9 assists, while Semi Ojeleye added 13 and Jean Montero netted 12, with Matt Costello and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui both scoring 10. Zavier Simpson led Cluj with 12 points and 10 assists, while Zach Hankins also had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, Adam Mokoka netted 12, and Gediminas Orelik and Karel Guzman both scored 11.

Simpson’s layup was bettered by Brancou Badio’s triple in the opening possessions. Guzman also struck from deep before Jaime Pradilla and Badio kept the three-point party going. Hankins and Jones traded inside buckets for a 15-7 Valencia lead, and Lopez-Arostegui kept the host moving with a corner three. Montero’s jumper made it a double-digit game, before Costello’s three and Josep Puerto’s putback gave Valencia a 30-15 lead at the end of the first.

Ojeleye’s triple started the second quarter, and an inside score by Hankins was bettered by another Ojeleye triple to make it 38-17. DJ Seeley lifted Cluj with a pair of deep strikes, but Lopez-Arostegui and Nate Sestina protected a comfortable lead. Orelik and Sasu Salin added threeballs as Cluj rallied to 47-31, only for Sestina to hit another Valencia triple followed by a layup-and-one from Jones. Guzman’s close-range finish and Mokoka’s three-pointer made it closer at the half, 53-36.

Cluj further narrowed the gap early in the third, with Guzman, Hankins and Mokoka all scoring from close range to make it 55-42. But Valencia responded with a dunk from Nate Reuvers and a three from Jones, as Cluj went three minutes without scoring. Simpson’s smooth hook shot was bettered by Montero’s three-pointer, and further triples from Mokoka and Montero made it 70-52 with 10 minutes left.

Orelik’s triple to open the fourth quarter gave Cluj hope, but Ojeleye’s inside score settled the host. Another Mokoka triple was followed by Pradilla’s dunk, making it 74-58. Simpson’s driving layup was followed by Ojeleye’s three-pointer, and the long bombs continued from Costello, Seeley and Orelik, pulling Cluj back to 80-68. Costello’s layup and Jones’s long two made sure Cluj didn’t get closer, and a Costello putback was followed by Montero’s three-point play to ensure a big winning margin.

The Spanish side underlined its title credentials with another dominant display