After finally seeing its perfect start ended by last week’s defeat against Ulm, Gran Canaria (10-1) will look to get back on track with a visit from Trento (4-7) in Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup.

Preview: Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/dreamland-gran-canaria-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/120/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs12-game-notes-facts-can-trn/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

This win could see the reigning champs book their ticket to the playoffs, too. A Granca win coupled with a loss for either Lietkabelis or Aris earlier on Tuesday or for Buducnost on Wednesday would clinch a top-six finish. The Italian team has slipped down the standings after losing four of its last five games, most recently falling at Bourg with only [Kamar Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kamar-baldwin/012597/) (11 points) netting in double digits. Gran Canaria leads the league in two-point shooting efficiency (60.7%), and will look for [Ethan Happ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ethan-happ/009864/) to dominate the physical battle with [Andrejs Grazulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andrejs-grazulis/005738/), who has the incentive to bounce back from his worst performance of the season (5 points, 3 rebounds) last week.

[Gran Canaria Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/statistics/can/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Trento Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/statistics/trn/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Ethan Happ vs. Andrejs Grazulis: 

Dolomiti Energia Trento-Dreamland Gran Canaria  | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup   

After finally seeing its perfect start ended by last week’s defeat against Ulm, Gran Canaria (10-1) will look to get back on track with a visit from Trento (4-7). 

The champs eye playoff spot when they face Trento

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2023-12-19T20:00:00.000Z)

Two teams on the edge of the playoff zone meet in Round 12 of the BKT EuroCUp when Turk Telekom (3-8) welcomes Aris (4-7) for a key showdown. 

Preview: Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/turk-telekom-ankara-aris-midea-thessaloniki/U2023/118/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs12-game-notes-facts-ttk-ari/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs12-prequotes-ttk-ari/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The host is aiming for three straight wins after belatedly igniting its season with high-scoring victories over Cluj and Buducnost, while Aris leaned on its trademark defense to grind out an important Round 11 victory, 69-60, over Lietkabelis. [Ronnie Harrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ronnie-harrell/012716/) has become a key man for Aris, combining 18 points with 5 steals last week, while [Tyrone Wallace](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyrone-wallace/011925/) has continued his strong season for Turk Telekom by scoring 15 and 22 points in the last two wins.

[Turk Telekom Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/statistics/ttk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Aris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/statistics/ari/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Tyrone Wallace vs. Ronnie Harrell: These swingmen could decide the game

Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup   

Two teams on the edge of the playoff zone meet when Turk Telekom (3-8) welcomes Aris (4-7) for a key showdown. 

Turk Telekom hosts Aris in showdown between Round 11 winners

Turk Telekom Ankara v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2023-12-19T17:00:00.000Z)

A losing streak will be ended in Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup as winless Cedevita (0-11) hosts a Besiktas team (6-5) that has dropped three straight to see its playoff hopes come under threat. 

Preview: Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/115/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs12-game-notes-facts-lju-bes/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs12-prequotes-lju-bes/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Cedevita has been getting close to its elusive first win, most recently falling 83-81 at Joventut despite 20 points from in-form guard [DJ Stewart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dj-stewart/012700/), who has scored in double digits in five straight games. Besiktas needs to recover its defensive toughness after allowing an average of 85 points in its three-game losing run, but got a promising debut from new signing [Kyle Allman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-allman/011924/) with 10 points and 3 assists in last week’s loss at Prometey.

[Cedevita Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/statistics/lju/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Besiktas Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/statistics/bes/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

DJ Stewart vs. Jonah Mathews: Meet the dynamite scorers

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul-Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana  | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup   

A losing streak will be ended as winless Cedevita (0-11) hosts a Besiktas team (6-5) that has dropped three straight to see its playoff hopes come under threat. 

Cedevita meets Besiktas as both seek to end losing streaks

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2023-12-19T17:30:00.000Z)

Two teams with high aspirations meet for a playoff-style clash as Cluj (8-3) welcomes Bourg (9-2) in Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

Preview: U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. JL Bourg en Bresse

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/u-bt-cluj-napoca-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/116/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs12-game-notes-facts-clu-bou/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs12-prequotes-clu-bou) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The French team is arguably the hottest team in the competition with five straight wins and has already beaten Cluj this season with an exciting 92-88 victory in Round 3. [Bryce Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bryce-brown/012628/) was the key man in that meeting, scoring 25 points, and his long-range shooting is a constant threat with multiple triples in five consecutive games. The form man in the backcourt for Cluj – which has a 5-1 home record this season – is [Patrick Richard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/patrick-richard/011801/), who has averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 assists in the last three games.

[Cluj-Napoca Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/statistics/clu/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Bourg Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/statistics/bou/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Patrick Richard vs. Bryce Brown

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca  | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup   

Two teams with high aspirations meet for a playoff-style clash as Cluj (8-3) welcomes Bourg (9-2). 

Cluj hosts Bourg with second place in Group B at stake

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2023-12-19T17:00:00.000Z)

Here are five players who can enhance your team in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge this week.

Fantasy tips: Olaseni and who else?

We are heading into Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup regular season, in which Paris Basketball and Dreamland Gran Canaria can punch their respective playoff tickets. With seven regular season games remaining, all teams must be ready for a final push, which is always interesting in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. After looking at the numbers, here are five players who can enhance your team this week:

[Ondrej Balvin, Prometey Slobozhanske](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ondrej-balvin/002644/) (12.3 credits) – Balvin earned Round 11 MVP honors and has been doing well for a while already, playing a critical role off the bench for Prometey. In the last four games, Balvin's numbers are overwhelming: 14.8 points, 77.4% two-point shooting, 9.3 rebounds and a PIR of 25.8. Wow!

[Vytenis Lipkevicius, 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/vytenis-lipkevicius/lxi/) (11.5 credits) – As always, Lipkevicius is doing a little bit of everything and almost collected a triple-double at one point. He has averaged 10.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals and a PIR of 19.0 in his team's last four games. He is a solid fantasy choice.

Karlo Matkovic, L.J. Figueroa, Gabe Olaseni, Ondrej Balvin and Vytenis Lipkevicius are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup fantasy tips: Round 12

[Karlo Matkovic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/karlo-matkovic/009395/) (10.3 credits) – Cedevita is not winning but Matkovic has been trying hard all season. After missing a couple of games, Matkovic returned to average 17.0 points on 68.2% two-point shooting, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and a PIR of 21.5 in the last two showdowns despite drawing just 1 foul.

[L.J. Figueroa, ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/lj-figueroa/012603/) (12.1 credits) – He needed an adjustment period to European basketball but it is safe to say that Figueroa is bringing out his best version now. In the last two games, Figueroa has made 12 of 13 two-pointers (92.3%), averaging 19.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and a PIR of 20.5, and Ulm has back-to-back wins.

[Gabe Olaseni, London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/gabe-olaseni/006600/) (16.7 credits) – The man of the moment and a must-have player in the game right now. Olaseni has been a dominant force in the last six weeks, averaging 22.0 points on 47 of 75 two-pointers (62.7%), 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 6.2 fouls drawn and a PIR of 29.0. He had a PIR of 20 or higher in all six games!

As the temperatures outside drop with the official start of winter this week, the heat is rising in the BKT EuroCup with the first playoff tickets up for grabs in Round 12.

Round 12: Gran Canaria, Paris could be first into BKT EuroCup playoffs

Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup will give high-fliers the chance to clinch their playoff qualification, while other contenders will look to strengthen their positions with several meetings between direct rivals. Here’s your guide to Tuesday and Wednesday’s action. 

### Tuesday, December 19

[7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. ratiopharm Ulm ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys-ratiopharm-ulm/U2023/119/)

High-flying Ulm (8-3) faces a testing trip to Lietbakelis (4-7), one of four teams currently tied for fifth place in Group B. Lietkabelis has lost three games in a row, while Ulm has been on a much better path with four wins out of five behind a smooth offense that has scored at least 84 points in all of those games. Ulm cruised the Round 3 meeting between the teams 99-74 as [Trevion Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/trevion-lamon-williams-/012604/) recorded one of his eight double-doubles of the season with 15 points and 11 boards. Stopping him will be a major challenge for Lietkabelis big man [Nikola Popovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nikola-popovic/006230/), who has scored in double digits in three of the last four games. 

[Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/turk-telekom-ankara-aris-midea-thessaloniki/U2023/118/)

Two teams on the edge of the playoff zone meet when Turk Telekom (3-8) welcomes Aris (4-7) for a key showdown. The host is aiming for three straight wins after belatedly igniting its season with high-scoring victories over Cluj and Buducnost, while Aris leaned on its trademark defense to grind out an important Round 11 victory, 69-60, over Lietkabelis. [Ronnie Harrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ronnie-harrell/012716/) has become a key man for Aris, combining 18 points with 5 steals last week, while [Tyrone Wallace](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyrone-wallace/011925/) has continued his strong season for Turk Telekom by scoring 15 and 22 points in the last two wins. 

Aris Midea Thessaloniki-Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. JL Bourg en Bresse ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/u-bt-cluj-napoca-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/116/)

Two teams with high aspirations meet for a playoff-style clash as Cluj (8-3) welcomes Bourg (9-2). The French team is arguably the hottest team in the competition with five straight wins and has already beaten Cluj this season with an exciting 92-88 victory in Round 3. [Bryce Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bryce-brown/012628/) was the key man in that meeting, scoring 25 points, and his long-range shooting is a constant threat with multiple triples in five consecutive games. The form man in the backcourt for Cluj – which has a 5-1 home record this season – is [Patrick Richard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/patrick-richard/011801/), who has averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 assists in the last three games. 

[Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/115/)

A losing streak will be ended as winless Cedevita (0-11) hosts a Besiktas team (6-5) that has dropped three straight to see its playoff hopes come under threat. Cedevita has been getting close to its elusive first win, most recently falling 83-81 at Joventut despite 20 points from in-form guard [DJ Stewart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dj-stewart/012700/), who has scored in double digits in five straight games. Besiktas needs to recover its defensive toughness after allowing an average of 85 points in its three-game losing run, but got a promising debut from new signing [Kyle Allman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-allman/011924/) with 10 points and 3 assists in last week’s loss at Prometey. 

[Dreamland Gran Canaria vs Dolomiti Energia Trento ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/dreamland-gran-canaria-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/120/)

After finally seeing its perfect start ended by last week’s defeat against Ulm, Gran Canaria (10-1) will look to get back on track with a visit from Trento (4-7). This win could see the reigning champs book their ticket to the playoffs, too. A Granca win coupled with a loss for either Lietkabelis or Aris earlier on Tuesday or for Buducnost on Wednesday would clinch a top-six finish. The Italian team has slipped down the standings after losing four of its last five games, most recently falling at Bourg with only [Kamar Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kamar-baldwin/012597/) (11 points) netting in double digits. Gran Canaria leads the league in two-point shooting efficiency (60.7%), and will look for [Ethan Happ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ethan-happ/009864/) to dominate the physical battle with [Andrejs Grazulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andrejs-grazulis/005738/), who has the incentive to bounce back from his worst performance of the season (5 points, 3 rebounds) last week. 

Dolomiti Energia Trento-Dreamland Gran Canaria  | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

### Wednesday, December 20

[Wolves Vilnius vs. Joventut Badalona ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/wolves-vilnius-joventut-badalona/U2023/114/)

Joventut (6-5) will aim for a fourth straight victory as it travels to a Wolves team (4-6) that has suffered three consecutive defeats. Joventut won an overtime thriller 107-98 when the teams met in Round 3 powered by 22 points from [Vladimir Brodziansky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/vladimir-brodziansky/010458/), who provided a big boost to the Spanish team by returning from injury for last week’s victory over Cedevita. He faces a good battle with Wolves big man [Christian Mekowulu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/christian-mekowulu/012576/), who grabbed his first double-double of the season in last week’s loss to Hapoel (14 points, 11 rebounds). 

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Umana Reyer Venice ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-umana-reyer-venice/U2023/113/)

In this rematch from last season's quarterfinals, Hapoel (8-2) has the motivation of keeping hold of second place as it receives a visit from Reyer (4-7), which lies two games outside the playoff zone after losing three of its last four. Hapoel has enjoyed a four-game winning surge behind the second-best offense in the league (95 points per game), powered by the red-hot [Jaylen Hoard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jaylen-hoard/006835/) (17.6 points per game). Trying to stop him will be Reyer forward [Aamir Simms](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aamir-simms/011928/), who has averaged 12 points over his last six games, and [Alexander O’Connell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/alexander-o-connell/012587/) after he netted 13 points with just one miss last week against Paris. 

Umana Reyer Venice-Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

[Slask Wroclaw vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/slask-wroclaw-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2023/117/)

Slask (1-10) is aiming for its first home win with a visit from Buducnost (4-7), which needs a second road victory to boost its playoff ambitions. This looks like a low-scoring encounter between the second- and fourth-least potent offenses in the competition, averaging 76.2 and 77.9 points respectively. Buducnost didn’t have those problems when the teams met in Round 3, reaching triple figures in a 103-89 victory, and big man [Jacorey Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jacorey-williams/010432/) will look to reproduce his dominance after posting 18 points and 11 rebounds in that game. Slask’s muscle in the paint comes from [Dusan Miletic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dusan-miletic/009896/), who had 16 points and 8 boards in last week’s narrow loss to Cluj. 

[Paris Basketball vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-veolia-towers-hamburg/U2023/112/)

On the back of a thrilling and heroic road win at London last week, Hamburg (2-9) will aim to cause another shock with a trip to Group A leader Paris (10-1), which by tipoff will know if it can secure a playoff berth with a win. If Wolves lose earlier in the day, Paris is through to the next stage with a victory. Paris enjoyed a 69-105 rout when the teams faced off in October, based on inside dominance with a whopping 33 two-point shots converted on 50 attempts. [Tyson Ward](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyson-ward/012610/) is one of the many frontcourt weapons for the French team; he was 7-of-7 from two-point range in last week’s win over Reyer and Hamburg will need a heroic effort from the likes of [Aleksander Dziewa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksander-dziewa/011168/) to have any chance of a road upset. 

[London Lions vs. Prometey Slobozhanske ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-prometey-slobozhanske/U2023/111/)

After suffering the shock of last week’s home loss to Hamburg, ambitious London will seek a quick response with a visit from playoff-chasing Prometey (6-5), which has won four of its last five. Last week’s MVP [Ondrey Balvin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ondrej-balvin/002644/) will again look to control the paint for the visiting team and his battle inside with [Gabe Olaseni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/gabe-olaseni/006600/) (17.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game) won't be for the faint-hearted. [Matthew Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/matthew-morgan/012585/) is another weapon for the visiting to be aware of after he blasted 21 points in an 87-99 road win at Prometey in Round 3.

Round 12: Gran Canaria, Paris could be first into playoffs

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Umana Reyer Venice (2023-12-20T17:30:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2023-12-20T19:30:00.000Z)

London Lions v Prometey Slobozhanske (2023-12-20T19:30:00.000Z)

7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v ratiopharm Ulm (2023-12-19T17:00:00.000Z)

Slask Wroclaw v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2023-12-20T19:00:00.000Z)

Wolves Vilnius v Joventut Badalona (2023-12-20T17:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm is among the better teams at scoring in transition in the EuroCup and that skill paid off handsomely in Round 11. 

Stats review: How pushing the pace led Ulm to a key victory

Dreamland Gran Canaria’s 18-game BKT EuroCup winning streak [came to an end on Tuesday as ratiopharm Ulm managed to crack the code](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/ratiopharm-ulm-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2023/107/) that had eluded the rest of the league since last February.  The formula for Ulm was anything but conventional by the standards of a EuroCup upset; it did not catch fire from beyond the arc, it did not dominate the offensive glass, and did not force an overwhelming number of live-ball turnovers.  In some cases, the opposite was true, Gran Canaria outshot Ulm by a significant margin from the perimeter and finished +6 on the glass.  The difference was ultimately Ulm's dedication to pushing the ball up the floor and looking for early offense in transition.

Transition points are hard to come by in the EuroCup, not because they do not represent good looks — transition chances have been converted for 1.16 points per possession this season compared to the 0.94 rate for possessions in half-court situations — but rather because opportunities to run are limited. Less than 13% of all possessions at this level come in transition.  That number often declines in important games as defenses bend over backward to get back and prevent them.  Defenses can even make that work consistently in the regular season.  Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul has allowed a league-low 8.5 points in transition per game and held opponents to 6 or fewer points in transition on five occasions so far this season.

Getting separation on the offensive end is a bit more complicated as the teams that score the most in transition often do so more as a byproduct of their efficiency rather than the volume of chances they create.  The top six teams in the EuroCup all use between 12 and 13 transition possessions per game as there’s a clear ceiling on what a team can accomplish consistently in the open floor.  Paris Basketball stands out among that group scoring a league-best 1.39 points per possession, and as a result, a league-leading 18.3 transition points per game.  

Against Gran Canaria, Ulm scored 26 points over 20 possessions in transition including 8 in overtime alone, which was well above its normal pace this season.  Ulm was aggressive without forcing the issue and its diligence in looking to rapidly attack paid dividends deep into the waning minutes of the game.  That much was also evident in all the different ways Ulm managed to score.  Whether it was a true fast break off a steal, a good look off a defensive lapse, a layup rewarding a big man for running the floor, a chance off a long outlet, a timely step-through move from a trailer attacking a man-advantage, a three off a kickout, or a runout resulting from intensity running the wings, Ulm was intentional with the energy it put into changing ends.

Ulm’s hard-earned opportunism toppled the EuroCup’s last undefeated team. setting the stage for a fascinating playoff push in Group B that figures to include four teams potentially pushing Gran Canaria at the top of the standings.  

Juan Nunez in action for ratiopharm Ulm in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv strengthened its backcourt with the signing of Will Cummings for the remainder of the season. 

Hapoel signs star combo-guard Will Cummings 

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv strengthened its backcourt with the signing of [Will Cummings](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/will-cummings/007867/) for the remainder of the season. Cummings (1.87 meter, 31 years old) has a decorated past in the EuroCup. He has played four seasons for three clubs in the EuroCup. Cummings won the championship with Darussafaka Istanbul in the first of those campaigns and was an All-EuroCup First team choice for 2021-22 with Boulogne Metropolitans 92. He ranked second on the EuroCup in scoring with 17.8 points and in PIR with 21.1 during that season. Cummings also dished 4.6 assists per game with Metropolitans, where he was a teammate of Hapoel forward Tomer Ginat. 

All-EuroCup First Team: Will Cummings, Boulogne Metropolitans, 92

Cummings arrives from South East Melbourne Phoenix, where he averaged 14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 12 games in Australia’s National Basketball League this season. He also played two seasons in the EuroCup with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar as well as for Trento in Italy, Aris Thessaloniki in Greece, Oldenburg in Germany and Zhejiang in China. Hapoel announced that Cummings is not scheduled to join the club until December 26.  

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">הפועל שלמה ת&#39;&#39;א מודיעה על החתמתו של הרכז וויל קאמינגס (31, 1.88) שילבש את המדים האדומים עד לסיום העונה. השחקן צפוי לנחות בישראל ב-26.12. <br><br>קאמינגס שיחק בעבר בין היתר בדארושפקה הטורקית עימה זכה ביורוקאפ, בלוקומוטיב קובאן הרוסית ובעונת 21/22 שיתף פעולה עם תומר גינת בלבלואה. בעונה… <a href="https://t.co/WNDwCcjKnR">pic.twitter.com/WNDwCcjKnR</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1736280261124293090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I am happy that during these complicated times, we managed to land Will,” Coach Danny Franco said. “Our routine is complex and the dependence on each and every player in the squad is great. Will's addition will allow us more flexibility and less dependence on one or another player. We have a good team and I'm sure Will will fit in quickly.”

The veteran won the EuroCup in 2018 and was an All-EuroCup selection in 2022.  

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2023-12-27T17:30:00.000Z)

It should be no surprise that Mickael Jantunen arrived at Paris Basketball this season a bit better than he was before last summer started. After all, the Finnish forward spent the entire summer playing alongside NBA superstar Lauri Markkanen.

Playing alongside Markkanen helped Paris's Jantunen improve

It should be no surprise that Mickael Jantunen arrived at Paris Basketball this season a bit better than he was before last summer started. After all, the Finnish forward spent the entire summer playing alongside NBA superstar Lauri Markkanen.

Jantunen has started his first season in the BKT EuroCup strongly, averaging 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the French club. Among his top highlights in the EuroCup was scoring 15 points against Prometey Slobozhanske and posting a season-high PIR of 19 this week against Umana Reyer Venice.

"I focus on doing the things that I can do to help my team win. If it's scoring points, it's scoring points. If it's something else, it's something else. As long as you can help the team win that is the main goal," said Jantunen, who arrived at Paris after spending last season with Italian League side Treviso Basket.

Between those two stops, the 2.04-meter forward Jantunen teamed up with 2.13-meter Markkanen on the Finnish national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The northern Europeans had high hopes in Asia but also knew they faced a challenging First Round group with Germany, Australia and co-hosts Japan.

Finland ended up losing all three games before then knocking off Cape Verde and Venezuela in the Classification 16-32 to finish 21st overall and lock up a spot at next summer's 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Jantunen collected 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in his first World Cup experience.

"It was an unbelievable experience. Unforgettable. It wasn't easy. We had high expectations. We had a tough group. It wasn't probably the outcome that we wanted, but we still mostly have a very young team. It was a pretty painful growing experience as a whole group," Jantunen admitted.

Mikael Jantunen, Paris Basketball, best plays of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

Mikael Jantunen's top plays of the 2023-24 season

Part of the learning experience was also playing alongside the team's star leader Markkanen, who led the way with 24.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.

"Just seeing the level at which he does everything. He's taking steps forward in his career every year. Guarding him at practice is something that you can't really get anywhere else. He's an unbelievable player, extremely hard to stop. So getting those reps in are always something that I enjoy," Jantunen said of the Utah Jazz star.

"I am just trying to soak it in, trying to learn from him. It's just a great pleasure to play with him and see what he does. He's always easy to talk to so if you have questions you can ask him. He's such a skilled player so you can also just watch him and learn."

The 2023 World Cup was the second straight major tournament in which the 23-year-old played with 27-year-old Markkanen, after also helping Finland reach the quarterfinals at FIBA EuroBasket 2022, where Jantunen averaged 6.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

"Just playing alongside players of that level helps you get that much better," Jantunen concludes. "You want to improve your own game."

And that has benefitted Paris Basketball as well.

A 23-year-old forward prepped for his first EuroCup season by playing with one of his country's all-time greats.