Stats review: A telling number for each of the quarterfinalists

The BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals have arrived with the league’s top-seven teams in regular season point differential advancing to the second of three single-elimination rounds. With only one team technically scoring an upset to set up a rematch with a team it faced in the regular season, a great deal of uncertainty looms. What does the tracking data suggest we should look for from each of the teams still vying for the championship?

 

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

**4 fouls**

[Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25) has been one of the most balanced teams in the EuroCup this season, ranking in the top-four in both offensive and defensive efficiency. As good as the team is, one of the qualities that has made Bahcesehir so tough to beat has been the fact that it does not beat itself. Drawing 4 fouls more than it commits, Bahcesehir does not bail out opposing scorers with mistakes and outscores them at the line by 4.5 points per game as a result - and that’s especially notable as it plays at the competition's slowest pace.

**52% at the rim in the half-court**

[Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/roster/lju/?season=2024-25) turned a corner protecting the rim during the second half of the season. After allowing opponents to shoot 65% around the rim against its half-court defense over the first nine games, Cedevita has allowed only 52% to close the year. That has paid big dividends for its overall defense and is something to watch as it takes on the top team from Group A.

Jared Harper leads the EuroCup in scoring with 22.7 points per game

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Dreamland Grand Canaria

**0.89 points per possession**

[Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-jerusalem/roster/jer/?season=2024-25) has been the best defensive team in the EuroCup on a per-possession basis this season. Doing an excellent job closing out shooters and guarding pick-and-rolls, Jerusalem is especially effective when it not only limits opposing guards on the perimeter but forces mistakes and turns defense into offense.

**23.8% of possessions used in the last 4 seconds of the clock**

[Dreamland Grand Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/roster/can/?season=2024-25) grinded the clock as often as any team in the EuroCup. Not only has it run time off the clock consistently on the offensive end, but it has scored at a solid rate when it has, presenting a challenge for opposing defenses and magnifying the importance of each possession on both ends.

 

### Valencia Basket vs. U-BT Cluj Napoca

**39% three-point shooting**

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2024-25) has done several things at a superlative level this season, especially early on as it started the season 11-0. The most sustainable of its many strengths has been its shooting from beyond the arc. Valencia not only leads the EuroCup in three-point percentage, but leads all teams in three-pointers attempted by over 4 per game. Valencia shot 46% over 72 shots from three-point range across its two wins over Cluj on its way to the top of Group B.

**58% in one-on-one situations**

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25) has been this season’s most effective one-on-one scoring team.  While it does not force the issue, it is adept at exploiting matchups and will have to be effective on the margins to beat a Valencia team that had its number during the regular season.

Kyle Alexander leads the EuroCup with 2.1 blocks per game

### Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Turk Telekom Ankara

**1.05 points per possession**

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25) has been the most efficient offensive team in the EuroCup this season, climbing above Valencia over the second half of the year following the addition of [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/). Finishing at an exceptional rate in transition while scoring midrange jumpers and floaters at an excellent rate in the half-court, Hapoel has been very effective inside the arc. 

**88 blocks**

[Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/roster/ttk/?season=2024-25) has blocked 30 more shots than any other team this season. [Kyle Alexander](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-alexander/011973/) and [Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/) give them two of this season’s three most prolific shot blockers on a per-minute basis. They have held teams to a EuroCup-best 57% shooting at the rim overall on the year as their length up front impacts the shots they do not block as well.

What statistics can shed light on the eight teams that will take the court for the EuroCup Quarterfinals? Let's see!

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-03-11T17:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-03-11T19:00:00.000Z)

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

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

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

Top 10 photos from Eighthfinals

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

After a dismal EuroCup campaign last season, Zvezdan Mitrovic's KK Cedevita Olimpija fancies is chances of a deep postseason run in the 2025 EuroCup Playoffs.

Revamped Cedevita Olimpija aiming for giddy EuroCup heights

[Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/lju/) enjoyed a memorable night inside Stozice Arena on Wednesday night as the Slovenian side celebrated [a 96-86 win over Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-olimpija-downs-besiktas-96-86-to-reach-quarterfinals/) to advance to the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals, where a mouth-watering matchup with [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) awaits.

It was a sweet reprieve for Cedevita, which endured a forgettable campaign last term as it finished on a 1-17 record in the regular season, with the team looking disjointed and devoid of any chemistry.

It was a very different story this season, however, as Cedevita engineered a 10-8 record and finished fourth in Group B, enough to earn home-court advantage in the playoffs and book a clash with Besiktas, which reached the competition’s semifinals last season.

A reconstructed Cedevita team, bolstered by the arrival of coach Zvezdan Mitrovic and an array of key players during the close season, fired on all cylinders in the second half of an enthralling contest against Besiktas, wiping out a 13-point deficit to prevail in a cracking atmosphere generated by the home fans.

Mitrovic was elated after seeing his team bounce back to brush Besiktas aside after the break, as first-year players [Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/) and [Brynton Lemar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brynton-lemar/013261/) combined for 41 points, with Robinson also racking up 11 boards.

“It was a game of two totally different halves,” Mitrovic said during the postgame press conference. “I want to thank the fans for pushing us across the finish line, as having a full house is the biggest victory and reward. We were able to make home court advantage count in a fantastic atmosphere. Now we will shift our attention to the quarterfinal at Bahcesehir, which is going to be a massive challenge.”

[DeVante Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devante-jones/013260/) and [Joan Beringer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joan-beringer/012996/), who also joined Cedevita last summer, were instrumental as the former amassed 14 points, 6 boards and 5 assists while the latter chipped in with 12 points and 5 rebounds in a smooth all-round effort.

Stalwarts [Aleksej Nikolic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/aleksej-nikolic/003703/) and [DJ Stewart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dj-stewart/012700/) netted 25 points between them to cap Cedevita’s selfless team performance which generated 39 rebounds, 12 of them on offense, as the home team turned the tide in the second half.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sl" dir="ltr">Najboljši trenutki včerajšnje zmage – od parketa do tribun!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> <a href="https://t.co/NXz2eVRQFC">pic.twitter.com/NXz2eVRQFC</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (@KKCedOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL/status/1897678561323982883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mitrovic, who joined Cedevita from Besiktas’s archrival Galatasaray Istanbul and was hence able to offer his team a first-hand insight into the Turkish side’s structure, seems to have timed the Slovenian outfit’s form to perfection.

Having lost its previous three EuroCup games and the last two in the regional ABA League, Cedevita ripped through the Slovenian Cup to win its first domestic trophy of the season and boost its confidence ahead of the epic clash with Besiktas.

Bahcesehir, however, could turn out to be a different prospect after taking Group A by storm and finishing top of Group A on a 14-4 record, thus earning home-court advantage in the quarterfinals and possibly the semifinals if the Istanbul side goes through.

The Turkish team will start as a strong favorite as it boasts several former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players in its ranks, namely [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/) and [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) as well as the homegrown duo of [Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/furkan-korkmaz/005763/) and [Kenan Sipahi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenan-sipahi/005275/). [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/) is another with plenty of EuroLeague experience, but [he is out injured](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/mateusz-ponitka-undergoes-surgery-on-meniscus-injury/).

Korkmaz also enjoyed a seven-year spell in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers while Sipahi had two stints each with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Besiktas before he joined Bahcesehir earlier this season.

If the inspired performance against Besiktas is anything to go by, though, this galvanized Cedevita side has a decent chance of completing a postseason double over Turkish opposition in its bid to go at least a step further in the EuroCup.

Game News

The Slovenian side has turned out to be the surprise package of the season after a dismal campaign last term

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2025-03-05T18:30:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom put together a strong performance at both ends of the court in eliminating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 93-73 in the BKT EuroCup Eighthfinals.  

Turk Telekom another step closer to goal but still a long way to go

[Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/) is exactly where it envisioned itself before the season. But a spot in the quarterfinals is not the final goal. For that, the Turkish team must remain focused after an exciting show in front of its home fans.

Turk Telekom put together a strong performance at both ends of the court in [eliminating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 93-73](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-takes-care-of-buducnost-93-73-to-sets-quarterfinal-date-with-hapoel/) in the eighthfinals.

“We were so aggressive. This is what we wanted to do. At the end of the day, we gave up 19 offensive rebounds. But we managed our aggressiveness and played the right defense,” Turk Telekom head coach [Erdem Can](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/can-erdem/) said afterward.

“This is just one game. We need to go step by step. We have a long way to go.”

Turk Telekom has reached this stage before - going all the way to the final in 2023, when it lost 71-67 to Gran Canaria. The club was eliminated in the eighthfinals in both 2022 and last season.

Can and his team have been through a lot this season, losing players to injuries, seeing players leave and having to incorporate new players. But this game showed just how tough the team is.

“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs this season but we’ve been resilient and we’ve been focused,” said [Kyle Alexander](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-alexander/011973/), who has played 18 of the team’s 19 games this season and scored 17 points against Buducnost.

“We’ve had a goal since the beginning of the season so we are just trying to see that through. It’s a team full of fighters.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">Buducnost VOLI Podgorica karşısında dikkat çeken performanslar!<br><br>Braian Angola - Yoan Makoundou - Anthony Brown<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnkaraBasketbolu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnkaraBasketbolu</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kaizen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kaizen</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreHereForAReason?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreHereForAReason</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/l0oFc76IMG">pic.twitter.com/l0oFc76IMG</a></p>&mdash; Türk Telekom Basketbol (@TT_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Basketbol/status/1897644205003997401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Turk Telekom still needs five victories to take the EuroCup crown and become the third Turkish club to win the competition following Galatasaray Istanbul in 2016 and Darussafaka Istanbul in 2018

But Turkish clubs also have tasted bitter defeat since then. Frutti Extra Bursaspor put together a magical journey in 2022 to the final but lost there to Virtus Bologna. Turk Telekom could not get past Gran Canaria a year later. And then last season, Besiktas Istanbul was defeated by JL Bourg-en-Bresse in the semifinals.

Can can be excited about how his team played - sharing the ball excellently with 26 turnovers while also playing tough defense and holding opponents to just 73 points.

Next up is a date with Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, a game with special meaning for Alexander and [Braian Angola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/braian-angola/010465/), who both played for Hapoel last season.

“I am excited about the quarters. We have to play the same way as we played tonight: with energy, focus on defense and everything will take care of itself.”

The Turkish side aiming for five more victories to finish the job from 2023 

Turk Telekom Ankara v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2025-03-05T16:30:00.000Z)

Last week in an interview with Euroleague Basketball's Javier Gancedo,  Devin Robinson of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana promised that he and his team were "ready" and "locked in". The high-flying forward more than delivered on that statement on Wednesday as he led Cedevita to a 96-86 victory over Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul while claiming Eighthfinals MVP honors.

Eighthfinals MVP: Devin Robinson, Cedevita 

Last week in an interview with Euroleague Basketball's Javier Gancedo, Devin Robinson of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana promised that he and his team were "ready" and "locked in". The high-flying forward more than delivered on that statement on Wednesday as he led Cedevita to a 96-86 victory over Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul while claiming Eighthfinals MVP honors.

Robinson posted a PIR of 30, which topped all players in the first set of postseason games. He tallied 21 points by making 9 of 15 two-pointers, and all 3 of his free throws. Robinson added to that 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 3 fouls drawn to set a career-high in PIR.

The next-highest PIR in the eighthfinals came from Zavier Simpson of U-BT Cluj-Napoca, who amassed a 28 in his team's double-overtime 99-100 road victory over Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius. Simpson had 26 points, 5 rebounds, a career-high 14 assists, 1 steal and 3 fouls drawn. In that game, Wolves guard Anthony Cowan had 23 points on 6 of 6 free throws, 7 rebounds and 12 assists, good for a PIR of 27. Garrison Brooks also of Wolves, De'Shawn Stephens of Cluj, Kyle Allman of Besiktas and Kyle Alexander of Turk Telekom Ankara, each with PIRs of 24, completed the top individual performances in the eighthfinals.

### Individual highs: Allman, Simpson set EuroCup record

There were a lot of stunning individual performances in the BKT EuroCup Eighthfinals. These are the players who led this round in the main statistical categories.

Zavier Simpson of U-BT Cluj-Napoca was the eighthfinals' top scorer with 26 points in his team's double-overtime 99-100 road victory over Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius.

Devin Robinson of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and Mfiondu Kabengele led all rebounders by pulling down 12 apiece in this round.

Simpson and Kyle Allman of Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul each dished 14 assists to set a new EuroCup postseason record. The previous playoff record was 12 assists shared by four players: Damir Mulaomerovic of PAOK Thessaloniki (2005), Nemanja Gordic of Cedevita Zagreb (2015), Stefan Markovic of Zenit St Petersburg (2017) and Andrew Albicy of Morabanc Andorra (2019).

Braian Angola of Turk Telekom Ankara collected 4 steals in his team's 93-73 home win over Buducnost VOLI Podgorica.

Angola's teammate, Yoan Makoundou, had 3 blocks, which were more than anyone else in the eighthfinals, and they came against his former team.

Robinson, Allman, Simpson, his Cluj teammate De'Shawn Stephens, Anthony Cowan of Wolves and his teammate Garrison Brooks each recorded a double-double in the eighthfinals.

The high-flying forward delivered on his promise on the big stage

Eighthfinals MVP: Devin Robinson, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

Congratulations to Panagiotis Tsonis, our 19th winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Panagiotis's team, 'Campeones3', posted a score of 232.5.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 19 winner

Congratulations to Panagiotis Tsonis, our 19th winner in the 2024-25 [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Panagiotis's team, 'Campeones3', posted a score of 232.5.

Panagiotis had the following starting lineup: Zavier Simpson of U-BT Cluj-Napoca as team captain, then Devin Robinson of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, and the Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius trio of Anthony Cowan, Garrison Brooks and Jeffrey Taylor. Umana Reyer Venice's Tyler Ennis was the sixth man.

The head coach of Panagiotis's team was Erdem Can of Turk Telekom Anakara, while the four bench players were Turk Telekom's Anthony Brown, Reyer's Mfiondu Kabengele, Nico Brussino of Dreamland Gran Canaria and Brynton Lemar of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana.

The prize for finishing first in the 19th round of the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Panagiotis!

The leader in the overall standings remains Milos Mihajlovic and his squad, 'BallIsLife', which has a total of 3,291.75 points after the first 19 rounds. Trades are now open for the 20th round, which is the EuroCup quarterfinals, and the number of trades is unlimited.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)'s next winner!

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


Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana booked a BKT EuroCup Quarterfinal berth with a 96-86 victory over visiting Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul after wiping out a 13-point first-half deficit as several home players stepped up in a thrilling matchup. 

Cedevita's strong second half lifted it past Besiktas

[Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/roster/lju/?season=2024-25) booked a BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals berth with [a 96-86 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-olimpija-downs-besiktas-96-86-to-reach-quarterfinals/) over visiting [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-istanbul/roster/bes/?season=2024-25) after wiping out a 13-point first-half deficit as several home players stepped up in a thrilling matchup.

The outcome marks a tremendous improvement for the Slovenian side, which finished on a dismal 1-17 record last season. Fine performances during the regular season saw Cedevita clinch a postseason berth and the Slovenian side will now face [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25) for a semifinal spot, having pulled off a great escape against more fancied Besiktas.

The hosts were subdued through most of the first half as Besiktas ran their defense rugged with lightning transition which yielded a barrage of easy points. Trailing 34-47 late in the first half, Cedevita stayed alive with an 8-2 run which paved the way for a monster second half, particularly the fourth quarter in which the Turkish team’s offense was ground to a halt.

Game Videos

[Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/) led Cedevita’s charge with 21 points and 12 boards, shooting 9 of 15 from inside, while [Brynton Lemar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brynton-lemar/013261/) chipped in with 20 as he was a perfect 13 of 13 from the foul line.

“The intensity was hard but we came together and the fans came in our support,” Robinson said in his postgame comments after a strength-sapping contest in the Stozice Arena.

“We played at a high level, we didn’t give up and it was a great night overall. We are making history again as we’ve been written off for so many years and this year we have a great opportunity to make something happen,” he added.

Cedevita head coach Zvezdan Mitrovic was pretty much lost for words after seeing his team stage a valiant fightback in the face of adversity, prevailing 28-17 in the fourth quarter to turn the tide.

“Congrats to both teams, it was a great performance by both sides,” he said. “We grabbed the game after falling behind and won.”

Mitrovic’s Besiktas counterpart, Dusan Alimpijevic, conceded that Cedevita was a worthy winner after his team’s hopes of at least emulating last season’s achievement when it reached the semifinals, were dashed against an inspired Cedevita outfit.

“It was a well-deserved win for Cedevita, we failed to manage the things we had agreed upon,” a grim-faced Alimpijevic said. “We had some good moments but it wasn’t enough as they had two players scoring 41 points between them. Congrats to Cedevita and I wish them luck in the next round.” 

The home team brushed aside its Turkish rival after the break 

Cedevita's strong second half lifted it past Besiktas 

Dreamland Gran Canaria edged Umana Reyer Venice 84-80 in the EuroCup Eighthfinals. Mehdy Ngouama paved the way with an outstanding first-half performance.


Mehdy Ngouama was Gran Canaria's X-factor against Reyer

[Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/roster/can/?season=2024-25) recorded [an 84-80 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-outlasts-reyer-84-80/) over [Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/roster/vnc/?season=2024-25) in the EuroCup Eighthfinals thanks to [Mehdy Ngouama](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mehdy-ngouama/009556/), who paved the way with an outstanding first-half performance.

Gran Canaria did not enter the game in the best physical condition. Star guard [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) was slowed down by a knee injury, missed a Spanish League game over the weekend and made an effort to help his team in this do-or-die game. Fortunately for Gran Canaria, Ngouama was able to deliver, surprising fans and experts alike with his energy and all-around game.

Ngouama was simply unstoppable once he entered the game early in the first quarter. He quickly got a three-point play and soon added another layup-plus-foul to put Gran Canaria ahead, 15-11. Ngouama still had time to hit a floater and a bomb from downtown to reach 11 points in the first quarter, giving his team a 25-16 lead.

Mehdy Ngouama of Dreamland Gran Canaria had 18 first-half points in his team's 84-80 eighthfinals win over Umana Reyer Venice.

Ngouama sets the tone for Gran Canaria

He was far from done. Ngouama buried a three-pointer early in the second quarter and provided one of the biggest highlights of the season, getting a steal and dunking over Reyer playmaker [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/). The visitors quickly called a timeout, but Ngouama still had time to hit an off-balance shot over [Mfioundu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/). At halftime, Ngouama had 18 points, matching his career-high, and Gran Canaria had full control of the game, 46-39.

Gran Canaria head coach Jaka Lakovic opted for more experienced players in the second half, in which Ngouama played less than 4 minutes. Even so, he ended up leading his team in scoring with 18 points in just 16 minutes, making 5 of 6 two-pointers, 2 of 4 three-pointers and 2 of 2 free throws, as well as getting 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 fouls drawn for a team-high PIR of 21. Until now, Ngouama had struggled to adjust to his new team. In five EuroCup games, he had averaged 4.8 points on poor shooting (25.0% 2FG, 30.8% 3FG), 1.8 rebounds and a PIR of 1.4.

Another shooting guard, [Joe Thomasson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-thomasson/012095/), stepped up with the game on the line. The game was tied at 72-72 when [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) hit a floater in the lane. Thomasson made the difference with a five-meter jumper and a bomb from downtown which gave his team the cushion it needed to control the game until the final buzzer.

"I'm feeling great. First of all, congratulations to Reyer. They had a great run during the EuroCup season. I'm really proud of the team. We had some ups and downs, but now we are moving up. We now have another challenge and will be ready for the next one," Ngouama said after the game.

Ngouama is one of seven EuroCup champions on Gran Canaria's roster. He lifted the trophy with Paris Basketball last season. If Gran Canaria wins the title, Ngouama would be the second player in competition history to win consecutive EuroCup titles with different teams. [Edu Hernandez-Sonseca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/edu-hernandez-sonseca/amp/) is the only player on this list, having won the EuroCup with Real Madrid in 2007 and Joventut Badalona in 2008.

"I expect to get my back-to-back Eurocup championships, so I am still on the run to get it, but we will see! We just got to stay ready, go step by step, one game at a time and we will see," Ngouama added. 

A EuroCup champ last season, had his best game yet with Granca on Wednesday

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Umana Reyer Venice (2025-03-05T20:00:00.000Z)

Gran Canaria earned the right to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the next round

Gran Canaria outlasts Reyer, 84-80! 

Dreamland Gran Canaria reached the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals for the ninth time in club history by edging Umana Reyer Venice 84-80 at home in the single-game eighthfinals on Wednesday.

Gran Canaria is now set to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the single-game quarterfinals next week. Mehdy Ngouama led the winners with 18 points, all of which came in the first half. Mike Tobey added 14 while Nico Brussino and Joe Thomasson each had 12 for Gran Canaria. Jordan Parks, Tyler Ennis and Aamir Simms led Reyer with 15 points apiece. Mfiondu Kabengele pulled down 12 rebounds for the visitors.

Brussino got Gran Canaria going with a corner triple. Kyle Wiltjer answered from downtown before Tobey's layup gave the hosts a 5-3 edge. Carl Wheatle sank a jumper which Kabengele followed with a dunk to put Reyer up 5-7. Ngouama stepped up with a three-point play, which Ennis erased with a bomb from beyond the arc. Tobey took over with a tip-in, Thomasson scored in the paint and Ngouama's layup-plus-foul boosted Gran Canaria's lead to 15-11. Pierre Pelos improved on Ennis's jumper with a three-pointer. Ngouama followed a floater with a triple before Brussino made it a double-digit game, 25-14. Amedeo Tessitori brought Reyer within 25-16 after 10 minutes.

Tessitori hit a jump hook and fed Simms for a one-handed slam, prompting Gran Canaria to call a timeout at 25-20. Caleb Homesley and Davide Moretti each struck from downtown and so did Ngouma for a 31-23 Gran Canaria lead. Simms took over with a wild driving layup and matched Tobey's catch-and-shoot triple with his own shot from beyond the arc. Rodney McGruder scored in transition before Brussino gave the hosts fresh air at 39-30. Wiltjer scored around the basket and Parks dunked to keep Reyer close, 39-34. John Shurna ignited the crowd with an off-balance triple and Ngouama added a poster dunk off a steal, but Kabengele and Xavier Munford brought Reyer within 44-39. Ngouama sank an off-balance shot over Kabengele for a 46-39 Gran Canaria lead at halftime.

Reyer found a go-to guy in Parks, who followed a four-point play with consecutive layups. Ennis found space for an uncontested layup, which caused Gran Canaria to call timeout at 46-49, after a 0-10 run. After Thomasson and Kabengele exchanged baskets, Tobey followed a layup with a mid-range jumper. Thomasson tied it at 54-54. Parks kept pushing Reyer with a bomb from downtown and a mid-range jumper off the dribble for a 56-59 edge. Andrew Albicy found his first points, singlehandedly restoring a 60-59 Gran Canaria lead. Simms and Pelos traded triples before Homesley's driving layup fixed the score at 63-62 after three quarters.

Simms insisted from beyond the arc early in the fourth quarter. George Conditt stepped up with a fastbreak slam and Miquel Salvo improved on Moretti's layup with a three-pointer. Albicy made free throws before Moretti tied the game with a three-point play, 70-70. Tobey dunked, but Simms answered with a reverse layup. Brussino banked in a close shot that made it 74-72 with more than 3 minutes to play. Thomasson swished a five-meter jumper off the dribble and improved on Ennis's floater with a critical bomb from downtown for a 79-74 Gran Canaria lead. After Kabengele and Thomasson each split free throws, Munford made both attempts. Pelos struck from downtown to seal the outcome down the stretch.

Gran Canaria earned the right to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the next round
