Fourth-quarter dominance let Besiktas end Paris Basketball's unbeaten run.

Stats review: Finding a way to win

Round 8 of the BKT EuroCup featured major tests for the teams at the top of both groups. In Group B, Dreamland Gran Canaria passed with flying colors, a 22-point victory over second-place U-BT Cluj-Napoca. In Group A, however, Paris Basketball suffered its first defeat as Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul emerged victorious at Halle Georges Carpentier by controlling the details. 

While Paris point guards TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi combined to score 43 points, Besiktas held Paris to just 14 points around the rim, which ranks among the EuroCup's best marks in the last several years. For a team that has made an obvious effort to take away jump shots and chase shooters off the three-point line throughout the early part of the season, Besiktas flipped the switch and walled off the interior exceptionally well to make another defensive statement in Paris.

Prepare for a crunch-clash at the summit of Group A as unbeaten Paris are confronted by a Besiktas group situated just one spot behind. TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi are the leaders for the French team, while the Turks are armed with the physicality of Angel Delgado.

Paris Basketball-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Round 8 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Besiktas also controlled the offensive glass, which allowed the visitors to control the tempo of the game and giving their offense just enough opportunities to take back the lead in the fourth quarter. On a night when neither team put points on the board very consistently, the 12 extra opportunities Besiktas had to score were just as important to their victory as their stingy defense. Coming into the game they had averaged 3.2 second-chance opportunities fewer than opponents, so Besiktas's efforts on that front marked another departure from the norm. 

While several key details added up for Besiktas as a team, Matt Mitchell's 10-for-11 shooting from the foul line helped his team stay connected through the middle of the game and seal the victory late in the fourth quarter. 

Given the way it occurred, Besiktas's Round 8 win certainly felt like a prime example of a team getting the job done by whatever means necessary. 

The table above shows which teams this season have been doing best at finding ways to control the fourth-quarter action. Besiktas may not take the top spot on this list due to a lack of elite shooting consistency from beyond the arc, but their defensive excellence late in games is worth noting. Through eight games, its defense has allowed a EuroCup-best 14.8 points per game over the final 10 minutes. The win over Paris – who had been tremendous in the fourth quarter until then – showed that Besiktas can switch up strategies to give even the most dynamic teams headaches. In their first season competing in the EuroCup since 2016, Besiktas has solidified themselves as a team to monitor moving forward.

Aris Midea Thessaloniki announced on Saturday that forward Ismael Sanogo will miss at least three weeks due to a sprained right ankle. 

Aris's Ismael Sanogo out with sprained ankle

Aris Midea Thessaloniki announced on Saturday that forward [Ismael Sanogo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/surtan-ismael-sanogo/012615/) will miss at least three weeks due to a sprained right ankle. Sanogo, 27, averaged 7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals in his first seven games in the competition this season. He started in six of those games.  

This season is Sanogo's second with Aris and first in the EuroCup. The native of the Ivory Coast made his European basketball debut in 2021 in Italy with Vanoli Cremona.

Ismael Sanogo highlights, October-November '23

Ismael Sanogo highlights October-November '23

The forward is expected to miss at least three weeks. 

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2023-12-06T20:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2023-11-29T19:00:00.000Z)

He may have been just a boy, but Aris forward Ronnie Harrell's memories of being and NBA ball boy remain strong.

NBA ballboy experience helped Aris's Harrell love the game

Basketball players draw on their past experiences to help develop their approach to the game. And one of the most lasting impressions for Aris Midea Thessaloniki forward [Ronnie Harrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ronnie-lee-harrell-jr/012716/) in his basketball development was serving as a ballboy for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA.

Harrell hails from Denver and is a cousin of the former NBA great Chauncey Billups, which also helped the young Harrell get a chance to be a ballboy.

Harrell was in middle school while Billups played for the Nuggets and he was ballboy for a couple of years. 

"I was pretty young, but it was right around the same time that I fell in love with the game. So it was perfect," Harrell said. "I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything." 

One of Harrell’s favorite experiences as a ballboy was when Denver was playing the Milwaukee Bucks and he got to experience Brandon Jennings.

"One time I was a ballboy and Denver was playing the Milwaukee Bucks and Brandon Jennings was the starting point guard. He was always one of my favorite players to watch on TV," Harrell recalled. "It was a fun game, back and forth. I think the Nuggets got the win, which was good but that was definitely a favorite moment of mine."

Ronnie Lee Harrell Jr Top Plays from 09/30/2023 to 11/24/2023

Ronnie Harrell's best moments in the BKT EuroCup with Aris Midea Thessaloniki

Harrell also valued a special connection he built with Carmelo Anthony.

"In the locker room you are kind of shy being around all these great players you see on TV. And when you are shy you really don't say much. But Carmelo just walked up to me and said: 'What's up young fella' and asked me if I was ready for the game – as if I was playing," he said. "It was always a special connection. He would always show me his shoes and asked me which ones I liked and which ones I didn't like. It was always fun to be around him. He's a real genuine guy."

Harrell said those experiences as a ballboy played a major role in his development – even though they occurred when he was a youngster.

"Being around the game as a ballboy definitely helped me – not necessarily physically but more psychologically and mentally because you see how professionals approach the game from a young age. How they approach the game and interact on the court – things you can't really catch on TV," Harrell said.

"That helped me because it gave me something to set as a goal. When I step on the court I want to have this kind of focus. When I interact with my teammates I want to have this kind of body language. It's a lot of small subtle things that go on on the court at a level you can't see on TV. So being around it at a young age was a really big help."

Years after being a youngster around the NBA game, those experiences are still helping Harrell in the EuroCup.

Look back at all the action in the Regular Season Round 8 by checking out the best photos of the week!

EuroCup, The Top 10 photos of the week, Round 8

CB Gran Canaria has signed Tom Digbeu on a three-year deal, but he will spend the remainder of this season on loan at CB Menorca.

CB Gran Canaria lands prospect Tom Digbeu

Dreamland Gran Canaria has confirmed the signing of [Tom Digbeu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/tom-digbeu/007573/) on a three-year deal, although the promising guard will spend the remainder of the 2023-24 season on loan at CB Menorca in the Spanish second division. Digbeu (1.96 meters, 22 years old), the son of former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague forward Alain Digbeu, most recently played for ASA in the French second tier, averaging 16.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steal in 24 games. A graduate of FC Barcelona’s youth academy, the Spanish-French playmaker has also played for Maciunai-KKSC in the Lithuanian top division and the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🖊 OFICIAL | El Dreamland Gran Canaria se hace con los servicios de Tom Digbeu.<br><br>▪ El exterior español, que firma por tres temporadas, militará cedido en el Hestia Menorca de LEB Oro este curso.<br><br>👀 <a href="https://t.co/npNdWDr63G">https://t.co/npNdWDr63G</a> <a href="https://t.co/TXDyDGRIsX">pic.twitter.com/TXDyDGRIsX</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1727772708665020822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Gran Canaria News

New Dreamland Gran Canaria signing Tom Digbeu (left) after being named in the 2018 ANGT Valencia Best 5 during his time as an FC Barcelona youth player.

The 22-year-old returns to Spain after a few years away.

Gran Canaria lands prospect Tom Digbeu

These five players – Regimantas Miniotas of Wolves Vilnius, Yoan Mkoundou of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, Issuf Sanon of Prometey Slobozhanske, Vytenis Lipkevicus of Liektabelis Panevezys, and Roko Prkacin of Dreamland Gran Canaria – impressed enough to earn their place in the roll call after another intense week BKT EuroCup action.

Round 8 roll call: The name of their game was impact

### Miniotas had his first EuroCup double-double

As Wolves Vilnius got back to the winning ways with a fourth win in the last five games, forward Regimantas Miniotas was the unlikely leader in [a 71-84 triumph over Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/veolia-towers-hamburg-wolves-vilnius/U2023/72/). Miniotas, who averaged just 4.3 points and 2.3 boards before this game, posted 10 points by making 5 of 8 two-point shots and pulled down 12 rebounds, including 5 on the offensive end. The big man also dished 4 assists after combining for just 3 in his first six appearances. He finished with a 21 PIR, improving upon his previous best of 15.

Wolves Vilnius got back to the winning ways, with their fourth win in the last five games and Regimantas Miniotas was the unlikely leader in a 71-84 triumph over Veolia Towers Hamburg.

Miniotas had his first EuroCup double-double

### Makoundou powered Buducnost

High-flying big man Yoan Makoundou had an outstanding individual performance in leading Buducnost VOLI Podgorica to [a 98-96 overtime home victory over Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/buducnost-voli-podgorica-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/79/). He shined with a PIR of 33, a personal best in his eighth appearance in the competition. Makoundou, who made 4 of 5 two-pointers and 5 of 7 three-pointers without going to the foul line, also set new personal-highs in points (23), rebounds (8), assists (3) and blocks (3), helping Buducnost snap a four-game losing streak.

Yoan Makoundou had an outstanding individual performance in a winning effort, leading Buducnost VOLI Podgorica to a 98-96 overtime home victory over Dolomiti Energia Trento.

Yoan Makoundou's best plays vs. Trento

### Sanon came up big for Prometey

Point guard Issuf Sanon had by far his best game of the season in helping Prometey Slobozhanske to [an 89-82 win over Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/prometey-slobozhanske-umana-reyer-venice/U2023/71/). Prometey improved to 4-4 in Group A as Sanon made 3 of 4 two-point shots and 2 of 4 threes. Both of those triples came in the first 90 seconds of the fourth quarter, fueling a 10-2 run that opened up an 82-71 margin for Prometey. Apart from making those clutch shots, Sanon also tied personal bests with 5 rebounds and 2 steals. 

Issuf Sanon had by far his best game of the season in helping Prometey Slobozhanske to an 89-82 win over Umaan Reyer Venice.

Sanon came up big for Prometey

### Lipkevicius filled the stats sheet

Liektabelis Panevezys registered its third consecutive win [by holding off Slask Wroclaw 71-75](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/slask-wroclaw-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2023/77/). Veteran forward Vytenis Lipkevicus was all over the place for Lietkabelis. He filled the stats sheet, posting a career high with 8 assists and tied his best with 4 steals. He scored 8 points, and also pulled down a team-high 9 rebounds. Lipkevicius finished the contest with a game-high 23 PIR as Lietkabelis improved to 4-4 on the season.

Liektabelis Panevezys registered its third consecutive win, holding off Slask Wroclaw 71-75 and forward Vytenis Lipkevicus was all over the place for Lietkabelis.

Lipkevicius filled the stats sheet in Round 8

### Prkacin shined for Gran Canaria

Dreamland Gran Canaria remained the only unbeaten team in the competition with [a 70-92 win at U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/u-bt-cluj-napoca-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2023/78/) in which young gun Roko Prkacin had his best performance of the season. The rookie big man, just a few days shy of his 21st birthday, had his first double-digit scoring game, finishing with 12 points by shooting 4-for-6 from two-point range and 4-for-4 from the foul line. Prkacin played a team-high 25:44 minutes and used it to collect 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Prkacin had a plus/minues of +22, the team's second-best of the night.

Dreamland Gran Canaria remained the only unbeaten team in the competition, and in a 70-92 win at U-BT Cluj-Napoca, young gun Roko Prkacin had his best performance of the season.

Prkacin shined for Gran Canaria

These five players impressed enough to earn their place in the roll call after another intense week BKT EuroCup action.

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v ratiopharm Ulm (2023-11-22T18:00:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2023-11-21T18:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2023-11-21T17:00:00.000Z)

Slask Wroclaw v 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2023-11-22T17:00:00.000Z)

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Turk Telekom Ankara (2023-11-21T18:30:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Joventut Badalona (2023-11-22T18:00:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2023-11-21T20:00:00.000Z)

London Lions v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2023-11-22T19:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Wolves Vilnius (2023-11-21T18:30:00.000Z)

Prometey Slobozhanske v Umana Reyer Venice (2023-11-22T17:00:00.000Z)

Xavier Munford made sure that Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv's two-game slide would end on Wednesday as he erupted for a monster performance to earn MVP honor for Round 8. Munford scored 31 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, dished 5 assists and tallied 2 steals as Hapoel beat Joventut Badalona 103-99. The scoring guard made 5 of 7 two-pointers and 6 of 7 three-pointers in amassing a career-best performance index rating of 35, which led all players in Round 8.

Round 8 MVP: Xavier Munford, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

[Xavier Munford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/xavier-munford/007759/) made sure that [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv's two-game slide would end on Wednesday](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-joventut-badalona/U2023/75/) as he erupted for a monster performance to earn MVP honor for Round 8. Munford scored 31 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, dished 5 assists and tallied 2 steals as Hapoel beat Joventut Badalona 103-99. The scoring guard made 5 of 7 two-pointers and 6 of 7 three-pointers in amassing a career-best performance index rating of 35, which led all players in Round 8.

Xavier Munford made sure that Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv's two-game slide would end on Wednesday as he erupted for a monster performance to earn MVP honor for Round 8.

Xavier Munford | Round 8 MVP | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

[Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/) of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica had the second-highest PIR of the round in leading his team to [a 98-96 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/buducnost-voli-podgorica-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/79/) over Dolomiti Energia Trento. Makoundou went for 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks in just his eighth EuroCup game. He made 4 of 5 twos and 5 of 7 triples for a PIR of 33. 

Next on the list of Round 8 stars was Joventut's [Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andres-feliz/011247/), who had 24 points and 7 assists against Hapoel. He made 4 of 6 three-pointers in accruing a PIR of 32. [Matt Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul posted a PIR of 31 in [leading his team past Paris Basketball 63-68](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/74/). Mitchell posted 16 points and 10 rebounds. Rounding out the weekly top five was the London Lions' [Gabe Olaseni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/gabe-olaseni/006600/). The center had 19 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for a PIR of 30 in [a 101-95 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2023/73/) over Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. 

Here are the leaders in the main statistical categories for Round 7 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season. 

Round 7, individual highs: Gediminas Orelik, Lietkabelis, 31 points

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

Round 8 MVP Xavier Munford of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv was also the top scorer for the week with 31 points in a victory over Joventut Badalona. Rasheed Sulaimon of Wolves Vilnius, who did not play this week, remains the competition's top scorer with 20.2 points per game.

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

Gabe Olaseni of London Lions and Regimantas Miniotas of Wolves Vilnius shared the top spot on the rebounding charts with 12 boards apiece. Trevion Williams of ratiopharm Ulm leads the EuroCup in rebounding by a whopping 2 per game with an average of 10.9.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

Juan Nunez of Ulm and Klemen Prepelic of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana were the top assist-men in Round 8 with 10 assists apiece. Prepelic ranks first overall with 9.6 dimes per game.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

Andrew Albicy of Dreamland Gran Canaria and Vytenis Lipkevicius of 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys each collected 4 steals in Round 8, which led all players. Albicy moved into a tie with Isiaha Mike of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse for the competition lead with 2.4 steals per game.

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

The weekly blocked shots chart features Paul Biligha of Dolomiti Energia Trento and Yoan Makoundou of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica at the top with 3 rejections apiece. Biligha is now the competition leader with 2.2 blocks per game.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

Six players had a double-double in Round 8. Two did so with assists; they were (23 points, 10 assists) and Nunez (14 points, 10 assists). The four who did so with rebounds were Steven Enoch of Turk Telekom Ankara (19 points, 10 rebounds), Miniotas (10 points, 12 rebounds), Matt Mitchell of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Olaseni (19 points, 12 assists).

Here are the leaders in the main statistical categories for Round 8 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season. 

Round 8, individual highs: Gabe Olaseni, London, 12 rebounds

Coach Danny Franco's men flashed their offensive credentials to outlast Joventut. 

Hapoel avenged quarterfinal loss in first game at new 'home' in Belgrade

After playing its last four BKT EuroCup games away from home, [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv hosted Joventut Badalona on Wednesday](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-joventut-badalona/U2023/75/) at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall – its temporary home due to security concerns amid the ongoing armed conflict in Israel. In front of a few Hapoel fans, the team sought to bounce back after losing its last two duels against Paris Basketball and Prometey Slobozhanske and managed to do so by beating the Spanish side 103-99. Head coach Danny Franco’s men had some extra motivation ahead of Wednesday’s duel, as Joventut beat them 82-74 in Badalona in last season’s EuroCup Quarterfinals.

That was the two teams’ only meeting in the competition ahead of the Round 8 game in Belgrade. Their second clash was destined to be an offensive showdown that featured a Hapoel side that had the best PIR (117.5), finest attack (97.0 ppg.) and most assists (24.5 apg.) in the competition heading into Wednesday’s encounter. This was Hapoel’s third three-digit scoring affair in 2023-24 and for yet another game, its shooting percentages were eye-catching.

### Hapoel was firing on all cylinders 

Hapoel came into the game as the team with the best three-point (44.8%) and third-best two-point (58.5%) figures in the competition. Against Joventut, it recorded a whopping 26-for-36 shooting (72.2%) from inside the arc and 9-for-17 (52.9%) on triples. Most importantly, it withstood Joventut’s comeback attempt at the end of the fourth quarter to clinch an important win. The visitors tied the game at 95-95 with 1:28 remaining despite trailing for most of the duel. Yet, Hapoel made some crucial baskets to seal the win.

“First of all, I’m happy that we stuck together when Joventut came back,” Franco said in the post-game interview. “We had an issue of runs against us in the last couple of games. I’m happy for the win and the guys that made an effort and stuck together.”

On a night where Hapoel’s starters scored 91 of their team’s 103 points, Xavier Munford had a season-high in points (31) and a career-best in PIR (35), while Jaylen Hoard scored 18, with J’Covan Brown and Kyle Alexander recording 17 each. 

“It was a very important win for us coming after two tough weeks on the road,” Franco said at the post-game press conference. “This game was a mental game of guys playing out on the floor, trying to fight and not giving up against a good Joventut team. I’ll take this win and the stubbornness of the guys. Even when we made mistakes, we supported each other.”

Injury-hit Badalona attempt to remedy consecutive home losses on-the-road at direct rival Hapoel, also bidding to restore winning ways afer disappointments versus Prometey and Paris, despite being loaded with a potent attack at 97.0 ppg - the second best in the competition.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv-Joventut Badalona | Round 8 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

What makes their achievement even more important is that the guests didn’t give up at any point and out-assisted 22-26 the league’s highest assist-contributors. 

Joventut saw four of its players producing outstanding performances and combined to score 82 of their team’s 99 points. Andres Feliz led his team with 24 points, Andrew Andrews netted 23, Deshaun Thomas 20 and Tyler Cook added 15 on his EuroCup debut.

### Promising debut for Cook

Cook joined the Spanish side to strengthen its frontcourt and he demonstrated from the off in his first game that he has what it takes to fill in for an injured Ante Tomic. The former NBAer made 5-of-9 two-pointers and 5-of-6 free throws. He also downed 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 29:26 on the floor. Joventut matched its all-time high of 16 triples made by going 16-for-30 (53.3%) from downtown and outrebounded the hosts 22-29, but didn’t manage to contain Hapoel’s stars.

The Spanish side will now look to bounce back and snap its three-game losing streak next Wednesday when it hosts Prometey Slobozhanske at Palau Olimpic De Badalona. Hapoel's upcoming game against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul is a first-class opportunity to build some momentum and get a winning streak going.