Paris (16-1), already guaranteed the top seed status throughout the playoffs, hosts a Cedevita (1-16) team that knows it must win to have a chance of avoiding a last-place finish.

Preview: Paris Basketball vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2023/173/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-prs-lju/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-prequotes-prs-lju/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

It should be a high-scoring game with Paris boasting the best offense in the competition (98.2 points per game), while Cedevita has the next-to-worst defense (91.4 points allowed). The first meeting between the teams resulted in a comfortable Paris win, 77-93, as TJ Shorts led the way with 17 points and 7 assists. Jaka Blazic is in great form for Cedevita, scoring 24 and 28 points in the last two games.

[Paris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/paris-basketball/statistics/prs/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Cedevita Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/statistics/lju/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Nadir Hifi vs. Jaka Blazic: An up-and-coming star faces a wily veteran in Round 18.

Cedevita's long quest for a maiden victory of the season moves to its latest chapter with the challenge of high-flying Paris, which is eager to recover from the blip of its first defeat of the campaign against Besiktas. The leading assisters are on show with Klemen Prepelic and TJ Shorts going head-to-head.

Last game: Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Paris Basketball | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Paris aims to keep its winning feeling going against Cedevita

Paris Basketball v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-02-07T19:45:00.000Z)

The veteran U.S. guard is still contributing at 40 years of age for one of the top teams in the BKT EuroCup.

Bourg’s E.J. Rowland is aging like a fine wine

There's already a small brand of California wine named "Rowland Cellars”, however E.J. Rowland, given that he is playing in France this year, should think about creating his own label. After all, the cliché of him aging like a fine wine is there for all to see.

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse has already wrapped up top spot in Group B of the BKT EuroCup having posted a 14-3 record so far and Rowland, who was the 2012-13 EuroCup Round 8 MVP while playing for VEF Riga, is part of the French side’s roster.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/1624481/bourg-en-bresse-earl-rowland-bkt-eurocup-2023-2024/)

Andy West

### Tuesday, February 6

[JL Bourg en Bresse vs. ratiopharm Ulm ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-ratiopharm-ulm/U2023/176/)

Two teams heading for the playoffs meet as Bourg (14-3) welcomes Ulm (9-8). Bourg has already secured first place in the group, while Ulm could yet be overtaken by Aris Midea Thessaloniki for fourth place after suffering a 20-point defeat by the Greek team last week to prolong a worrying run of five losses in six games. Bourg took an exciting Round 9 meeting between the teams 84-89 powered by 19 points and 10 rebounds from Maksim Salash - his only double-double of the season. The game features a long-range shooting duel between two dangerous marksmen, Tomas Klepeisz (41.1% for threes) and Zaccharie Risacher (56.6%). 

[Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Umana Reyer Venice ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/veolia-towers-hamburg-umana-reyer-venice/U2023/175/)

A pair of teams with only pride to play for will complete their seasons with Hamburg (2-15) hosting Reyer (7-10). The Italian team is finishing strong with three wins out of four, most recently thrashing Prometey Slobozhanske with 25 points from Kyle Wiltjer, and surpassing 100 points in each of those victories. Marco Spissu was the main man when Reyer beat Hamburg 94-77 in Round 9, combining 22 points and 9 assists, and he faces a good battle with opposing backcourt leader Aljami Durham, who averages 11.4 points per game.

[Slask Wroclaw vs. Turk Telekom Ankara ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/slask-wroclaw-turk-telekom-ankara/U2023/180/)

Group B's last-placed Slask (2-15) will look to ruin the playoff ambitions of Turk Telekom (7-10), which most likely needs a win to advance to the next stage. Slask gained one of its two victories this season by triumphing in Ankara in November behind 25 points from Jakub Niziol, so the Turkish team knows it can't take anything for granted. A lot of responsibility will fall on the shoulders of James Palmer, who averages 13.4 points after netting double digits in eight consecutive games. Tyrone Wallace will also look for a return to form after going 0-of-7 from three-point range in last week's loss to Bourg.

Either Turk Telekom or Slask are to finally celebrate the end of a long losing run in a game that may be already destinated as a bid to avoid the wooden spoon in Group B.

Turk Telekom Ankara-Slask Wroclaw | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

### Wednesday, February 7

[7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys-u-bt-cluj-napoca/U2023/179/)

Eliminated Lietkabelis (6-11) will try to complicate the progress of Cluj (13-4), which needs a victory to secure a second-place finish and a direct passage to the quarterfinals. The Lithuanian team snapped a four-game losing streak last week, downing Slask behind 21 points from the consistent Deividas Sirvydis. November's meeting was one of the games of the season, taken 120-111 by Cluj after overtime with 25 points from DJ Seeley on 5-of-6 three-point shooting. Cluj also enjoyed an overtime triumph last week, downing Gran Canaria to keep control of second place.

[Prometey Slobozhanske vs. Joventut Badalona ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/prometey-slobozhanske-joventut-badalona/U2023/171/)

Playoff-bound Prometey (9-8) and Joventut (10-7) are playing for final group position as they go head-to-head separated by just one win. Joventut, which has lost two in a row, grabbed a narrow 79-76 victory when the teams met in November, with Andrew Andrews netting 15 points, so Prometey needs to win by 4 or more to claim the head-to-head advantage. A key matchup will take place in the paint between veteran big men Ante Tomic and Ondrey Balvin, who had 12 points and 12 rebounds in November's meeting. 

[Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/buducnost-voli-podgorica-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2023/178/)

To have any chance of advancing to the playoffs, Buducnost (7-10) needs to finish the regular season by beating faltering reigning champ Gran Canaria (12-5). The Spanish side has lost two of the last three, but holds fond memories of its last game against Buducnost: a 97-70 blowout in November paced by 18 points from Sylven Landesberg. Gran Canaria dished 28 assists in that game so Buducnost will be determined to break up the visiting team's rhythm and will try to run the game through big man Nikola Tanaskovic, who inspired last week's key win over Trento with 19 points and 8 rebounds. 

[Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/aris-midea-thessaloniki-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/177/)

Aris (8-9) can guarantee its progress to the postseason, and potentially finish fourth in the group, by overcoming a Trento team (7-10) that also has to win to stand any chance of extending its season. The Greek team is on a high after downing Ulm last week behind a sensational Ronnie Harrell, with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. He will match up against the dangerous Andrejs Grazulis, who averages a solid 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per night. Trento won November’s matchup 69-67 on a last-gasp basket from Ellis Quinn, and this could be another thriller.

Two teams locked on the fringes of the playoff places meet as Trento summons Aris with both on two-game losing streaks. A key matchup is expected to arise in the paint, where Andrejs Grazulis tackles visiting big man Silvio de Sousa, but will the path to success be sourced elsewhere on the court?

Dolomiti Energia Trento-Aris Medea Thessaloniki | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

[Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2023/172/)

Hapoel (12-5) needs a victory to secure second place as it travels to face a Besiktas (9-8) team also looking to enter the playoffs on a high. The Israeli team kept its top two fate in its own hands by breaking a three-game losing streak last week at Joventut with 19 points from recently signed Will Cummings, while Besiktas has lost three of the last four. Hapoel was an 81-75 winner when the teams met in November as J'Covan Brown paired 19 points with 7 assists, and his return from injury also played a big part in last week's victory over Joventut. Derek Needham will look to outplay him in the Besiktas backcourt. 

[London Lions vs. Wolves Vilnius ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-wolves-vilnius/U2023/174/)

London (12-5) will aim for the win it needs to maintain hopes of a top-two finish with a visit from eliminated Wolves (7-10). The high-scoring English team has won three of the last four and showed its firepower with an 87-101 win at Wolves in Round 9. Conor Morgan scored 22 points in that victory and London will also look for more leadership from his namesake Matt Morgan who is in top form, averaging 22 points in the last three games. Wolves will lean on the experience and shooting skills of Jeffery Taylor, who poured in a season-high 20 points in last week's win over Hamburg. 

[Paris Basketball vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2023/173/)

Paris (16-1), already guaranteed the top seed status throughout the playoffs, hosts a Cedevita (1-16) team that knows it must win to have a chance of avoiding a last-place finish. It should be a high-scoring game with Paris boasting the best offense in the competition (98.2 points per game), while Cedevita has the next-to-worst defense (91.4 points allowed). The first meeting between the teams resulted in a comfortable Paris win, 77-93, as TJ Shorts led the way with 17 points and 7 assists. Jaka Blazic is in great form for Cedevita, scoring 24 and 28 points in the last two games.

There's still lots at stake as the regular season of the BKT EuroCup comes to a close. Here's your quick guide to Tuesday and Wednesday night's action.

This week: The home stretch

Slask Wroclaw v Turk Telekom Ankara (2024-02-06T19:00:00.000Z)

7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2024-02-07T17:00:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2024-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2024-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-02-06T18:30:00.000Z)

London Lions v Wolves Vilnius (2024-02-07T19:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Umana Reyer Venice (2024-02-06T18:30:00.000Z)

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Prometey Slobozhanske v Joventut Badalona (2024-02-07T17:00:00.000Z)

Getting the job done when closest to the basket is not easy due to crowds of defenders, but these players are making it look that way.

Stats review: Meet the best closers near the rim

The end of the BKT EuroCup regular season is just around the corner, and in Round 17, U-BT Cluj-Napoca notched a key victory over Dreamland Gran Canaria to position themselves for a bye into the quarterfinals in Group B if they can win their Round 18 finale. In Cluj's 115-111 overtime road victory in Gran Canaria, four players scored between 20 and 24 points, including [Emanuel Cate](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/emanuel-cate/005373/), who put together the best game of his professional career in a high-pressure moment. 

Going 9-for-9 from the field while corralling 10 rebounds and finishing with a plus/minus of +18, the 26-year-old big man maximized his time on the floor by playing hard, catching everything thrown his way, and tossing in shots around the rim with soft touch while playing through contact. Doing much of his scoring off drop passes and offensive rebounds, Cate plays a physical style that allows him to be brutally effective even as he does much of his scoring below the rim.

As the table above suggests, Cate is one of several workhorses that have thrived around the basket in the EuroCup this season. Shooting over 75% in finishing situations, his efficiency has been tremendous relative to his volume, which ultimately helped Cluj secure its most important win of the season. 

Looking up and down this list, he is joined by several other players who thrive on physicality like [Dusan Miletic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dusan-miletic/009896/) of Slask Wroclaw and [Leon Kratzer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/leon-kratzer/004512/) of Paris Basketball, who both have been tremendous in their roles this season. Setting screens, grabbing offensive rebounds, and playing angles to score, that duo does a lot of the dirty work on the interior, and does so at an incredible 80% conversion rate in close.

Dusan Miletic, Leon Kratzer and 3 others Top Plays from 12/01/2023 to 02/05/2024

The five best closers near the rim in the EuroCup

Their style of play stands in contrast to [Karlo Matkovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/karlo-matkovic/009395/) of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, [Tyler Calvin Cook](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyler-calvin-cook/012780/) of Joventut Badalona, and [Marvin Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marvin-jones/010248/) of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, who have done more than half of their scoring on the interior above the rim. Whether it's a lob pass for a dunk, a tip-slam, a soft lefty scoop, or a sweeping layup around a defender, the key at this level is the result, and there's quite a contrast of styles among the players on this list.

That is perhaps most obvious at the top where [Collin Malcolm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/collin-malcolm/012609/) of Paris is the lone swingman included here. Scoring at the rim running in transition, cutting out of the corners for lobs, and driving the ball to punish smaller wings on the interior, Malcolm has been remarkably consistent around the rim for all the different ways he tends to get there. It is rare for a wing to be as productive or efficient as Malcom has been on the interior, let alone both. 

With the postseason looming, consistency is key, and each one in this group has lifted his team with how reliably he has finished inside. 

Making the jump between countries is rare among Polish players, but Hamburg's new big man has been everything the team wanted.

Hamburg big man Dziewa is thriving in first stop outside of Poland

[Aleksander Dziewa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksander-dziewa/011168/) was ready last summer to make a move. The Polish center had accomplished just about all he could in his homeland, and he was looking forward to heading abroad. Landing in neighboring Germany with Veolia Hamburg Towers, the 26-year-old has thrived in his first taste of club ball outside of Poland.

With Hamburg's BKT EuroCup season coming to a close, Dziewa looks back positively on what he was able to do with his new club, one that he had come to know – and had come to know him – as an opponent in the EuroCup. 

Dziewa spent the last seven seasons with Slask Wroclaw, helping the club jump from the third division to its EuroCup return in the 2021-22 season. The 2.07-meter center faced Hamburg in both of his two EuroCup campaigns with Slask.

In the first, he picked up 18 points and 10 rebounds in one game against Hamburg and posted 21 points and 7 rebounds in the second. Last season, Dziewa dropped 17 points and 15 rebounds in the first game versus the northern Germans before being limited to 8 points in their fourth game in two seasons. Despite Dziewa's strong performances, Slask was only able to win one of those games, a Round 6 home encounter in 2021-22. 

"It's always my goal to give my best performance, but as an athlete it hits your ego when at the end of the day you go home with a loss," said Dziewa, who signed on a one-year deal with Hamburg. "I also vividly remember the crowd energy in Hamburg and I get to experience it as a part of Towers family this season."

### Producing in Hamburg

Those games against Hamburg were not the only highlights of his EuroCup career, which consists now of 50 games total. He has impressive EuroCup career averages of 11.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 13.5 PIR. Those averages rank in the top 20 in the league for players since Dziewa made his EuroCup debut.

Wearing Hamburg's uniform this season, he poured in 28 points against London Lions in Round 2 on the road and also scored 23 points versus Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in Round 13, as well as 21 points versus Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in Round 6. All three opponents have since clinched playoff berths in Group A.

Aleksander Dziewa Top Plays from 09/30/2023 to 02/02/2024

Aleksander Dziewa's best plays in the BKT EuroCup 2023-24

"It feels rewarding to see the hard work I put in everyday paying off on the higher level," said Dziewa, who is averaging 13.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 16 games this season, "But it's always a bittersweet experience when in the end your team loses the game."

Moving to a team like Hamburg in a league like Germany seemed a natural step after Dziewa had helped Slask to top-three finishes in Poland over the last three seasons. 

### Abroad but close to home

Heading abroad "was always on my goals list in terms of planning my professional steps, especially after those last three seasons," he said. "It gave me the confidence so that, when I got the offer from Towers, I knew it was the right time to try myself abroad. I didn't hesitate to sign."

On why he chose Hamburg, Dziewa said: "I found their game style appealing. After a few talks with Coach Benka (Barloschky), he reassured me that I would get a leader role and potential to develop as a player even more. Hamburg is also within a car drive from Poland so it makes it easier to travel here with our two pugs for my wife."

Wroclaw is located about a two-hour drive from the German border and Dziewa says he actually took German lessons in school.

"I'm not too proud to admit that I learned German for six years back in school times, but it was a pretty long time ago, and since then I had no opportunities to use it, it sadly vanished from my brain," said Dziewa, who gets by a lot with Danke and Bitte – thank you and you're welcome.  "Germans speak English at an impressive level. The rest I feel taken care of by the club, which I appreciate a lot."

### Focus on improvement

Dziewa hasn't been able to take too much of an advantage of the cosmopolitan Hamburg as he lives more in the suburbs. Instead it's spending his free time on dog walks in parks or woods. He also has taken a trip to the local seaside. Dziewa has naturally been more concentrated on his job with Towers, and it was an adjustment going from the Polish to the German League.

"It's much more physical here. The game also happens much faster, so that forced me to put extra work in condition training to keep up with it. I still got some things to focus on, but I think I'm starting to adapt to that tempo," he said. 

Hamburg is currently on the edge of the play-ins for the German League playoffs, so the postseason is his number one goal. 

"My goal is to get better and better as a player, so I get to stay consistent on a higher level, test myself in European action and hopefully get some good results there," he said.

Hamburg big man Dziewa is thriving in first stop outside of Poland 

Look back at all the action in the Regular Season Round 17 by checking out the best photos of the week!

Top 10 photos of Round 17

Here are five players who impressed in Round 17 of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season and deserve special mentions in the weekly roll call.

Roll Call, Round 17: Nelson, Harrell, Eddie, Tanaskovic, Heidegger 

### Luke Nelson has career night off the bench

Luke Nelson had one of his best nights in the BKT EuroCup in London Lions' win against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana by 85-92. Nelson scored 19 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished 3 assists and collected 2 steals to tie for the highest PIR on the team with Matt Morgan at 28. And he did all that in just 21 minutes off the bench. Nelson's numbers in points, rebounds and PIR were also career highs for him. His appearance when other London mainstays were not as hot this week showed that the Lions will have even more firepower available for the playoffs in a few weeks.

Luke Nelson (19 points) Highlights vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, 01/31/2024

Luke Nelson 19 points Highlights vs Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana_16520943.mp4

### Ronnie Harrell soars to get Aris into the playoffs

Aris Midea Thessaloniki had a chance to punch a playoffs ticket this week and Ronnie Harrell made sure that his team would do just that. Harrell had one of the best individual performances of the week and set new personal best marks in assists (7) and steals (6) and tied his career-high in rebounds (8). He also scored 19 points for a great all-around performance that gave him a PIR of 36, the second-best of the week. Harrell had been stopped at single scoring digits in the previous four games, but he came around when he was needed the most.

Ronnie Harrell (19 points) Highlights vs. ratiopharm Ulm, 01/31/2024

Ronnie Harrell 19 points Highlights vs ratiopharm Ulm_16520939.mp4

### Jarell Eddie proves he can be a valuable asset for Cluj

Jarell Eddie was going through a tought period. Sure enough, UB-T Cluj Napoca had already qualified for the EuroCup Playoffs for the first time in the club's history, but he was kind of riding in the passenger seat. However, Eddie decided he had had enough and exploded precisely at one of the most difficult arenas in the competition. He contributed 24 points in 39 minutes in Cluj's huge 111-113 overtime win at Dreamland Gran Canaria. In the previous six games, Eddie had averaged just over 20 minutes on court for 7.2 points. It was a statement performance for the Cluj forward, just in time for the postseason.

Jarell Eddie (24 points) Highlights vs. Herbalife Gran Canaria, 01/31/2024

Jarell Eddie 24 points Highlights vs Herbalife Gran Canaria_16520940.mp4

### Nikola Tanaskovic shows what he can bring to the table

Nikola Tanaskovic joined Buducnost VOLI Podgorica right in time for Round 13. The Montenegrin team was struggling and still fighting for a playoff spot, and it has been trying different things to turn around its season. When Tanaskovic landed, his numbers were discreet... until this week. Against Dolomiti Energia Trento, the big man soared with 19 points - on 9-of-19 two-point shooting - and 8 rebounds for a PIR of 27. What's more, Tanaskovic amassed those numbers in the game in which he spent the least time on the floor: 19 minutes and 24 seconds, 3 seconds less than in his EuroCup debut this season. Buducnost is not out of the woods just yet, but if Tanaskovic manages to put together more efficient performances like this one in the two remaining games, count the Montenegrin team as a candidate to advance from Group B.

Nikola Tanaskovic (10 points) Highlights vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento, 01/31/2024

Nikola Tanaskovic 10 points Highlights vs Dolomiti Energia Trento_16520942.mp4

### Heidegger steps up again for Reyer

Umana Reyer Venice fans are surely wishing the team had Max Heidegger for the start of the season. Even though the club was eliminated from EuroCup Playoff contention, Heidegger showed off his skills with his finest game yet to lead Reyer to a 108-92 drubbing of playoff bound Prometey Slobozhanske. The combo-guard scored 18 points – which was 1 less than his career-high the week before, but he did so in 7 fewer minutes. Heidegger also dished 5 assists, which were 4 more than he had in Round 16. He was efficient by making 4 of 7 threes in amassing a PIR of 19. Reyer is 2-1 with Heidegger in uniform and his sparkling play, including 52.9% shooting from deep (10 for 19), have shown that he is worthy of a longer run in the competition in the future.

Heidegger had the hot hand against Prometey

Emanuel Cate became the hero for U-BT Cluj-Napoca, earning MVP of the Round honors in the process, as his tip-in with 2 seconds to go in overtime allowed his team to defeat Dreamland Gran Canaria 111-113. His career-best 38 PIR set a club record and was the highest of any player in Round 17.

BKT EuroCup Round 17 MVP: Emanuel Cate, U-BT Cluj-Napoca

On a night that will live long in the memory for Cluj fans, [Emanuel Cate](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/emanuel-cate/005373/) had a personal-best 23 points after shooting a perfect 9-of-9 from the field, going 8-of-8 on two-pointers and 1-of-1 from behind the arc, as well as making 4-of-5 free throws. Cate also grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds, dished 3 assists, made 3 steals, blocked 2 shots and drew 4 fouls. This is his first MVP of the Round honor the second ever by a Cluj player, with [Karel Guzman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/karel-guzman/011797/) having received this award back in Round 7.

Emanuel Cate | Round 17 MVP | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

In second spot is Aris Midea Thessaloniki’s [Ronnie Harrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ronnie-harrell/012716/), who had a career-high 36 PIR in a 66-86 win at ratiopharm Ulm. Harrell did a bit of everything on the night, amassing 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, a personal-best 6 steals and 2 blocks, while he also had 1 drawn foul. [T.J. Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) of Paris Basketball came third with a 34 PIR, which came in his team’s 72-95 victory at Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul. The diminutive guard posted 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 7 fouls drawn as he got a PIR of 30 or more for the fourth time this season. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana big man [Karlo Matkovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/karlo-matkovic/009395/) had a near-perfect night against the London Lions, but it came in defeat. He recorded a season-high 33 PIR, having had 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 blocks, 5 drawn fouls and, notably, 0 turnovers. Rounding out the list of best performers in Round 17 is [Nicolas Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) of Gran Canaria, as his personal-best 30 PIR came after he finished with career-high 30 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 assist and 8 fouls drawn.

Round 17 MVP: Emanuel Cate, U-BT Cluj-Napoca

Dreamland Gran Canaria v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2024-01-31T20:00:00.000Z)

Joventut Badalona and young prospect Michael Ruzic reached an agreement on Thursday for the next five seasons, which means the young Croatian talent will remain in Badalona until June of 2029 with his first pro contract.

Joventut, young Michael Ruzic agree until 2029

[Michael Ruzic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/michael-ruzic/012349/) (2.06 meters, 17 years old) has played a total 13 games in the BKT EuroCup this season and has even started in 5. He averages 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds and has become a key player this early in his career. He arrived to Badalona during the summer of 2023 from KK Zadar of Croatia. 

Against Paris Basketball, Ruzic scored 21 points and racked up a PIR of 17. He also shined at the ANGT with Zadar averaging 19.3 points and 5.7 rebounds.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">💎 Michael Ruzic: la perla croata que brillarà a Badalona fins al 2029<br><br>🤝 El Joventut i l’aler pivot arriben a un acord per ampliar el vincle cinc temporades més<br><br>🔗 La notícia: <a href="https://t.co/a0RUDJYfMX">https://t.co/a0RUDJYfMX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badalona%C3%89sFutur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BadalonaÉsFutur</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SomElBressol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SomElBressol</a> <a href="https://t.co/0W8PHa3V16">pic.twitter.com/0W8PHa3V16</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1753010312717254885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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Joventut, young Ruzic agree until 2029