With two games remaining in the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season, there are many teams fighting for different goals. Whether it be a spot in the knockout rounds or home-court advantage, there is much to play for and those high stakes raise in intensity for the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime. With that in mind, here are some players to consider for your teams this week. 

Fantasy tips, Round 17: Star and big bargains! 

With two games remaining in the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season, there are many teams fighting for different goals. Whether it be a spot in the knockout rounds or home-court advantage, there is much to play for and those high stakes raise in intensity for the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime](https://eurocupfantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/home?_ga=2.142575026.1642942346.1679299913-884385655.1669721726). With that in mind, here are some players to consider for your teams this week. 

[Ante Tomic, Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) (16.1 credits) – Tomic has been nearly unstoppable lately due to his combination of size, post and passing skills, and experience. In the last seven games, Tomic has averaged 17.1 points on 49-of-69 two-point shooting, 6.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and a PIR of 23.9. Simply outstanding.  

[D. J. Stephens, Prometey Slobozhanske](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dj-stephens/005982/) (13.5 credits) – Stephens buried 6 three-pointers and dunked 5 times in Round 16. Yes, you heard that right: 6 threes and 5 dunks in the same game. He is averaging 13.1 points on great shooting (71.7% 2FG, 40.9% 3FG), 5.8 rebounds and a PIR of 15.6. 

Ante Tomic, D. J. Stephens, Vasilije Pusica, Zach Auguste and Diego Flaccadori are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Regular Season Round 15

[Vasilije Pusica, Slask Wroclaw](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/vasilije-pusica/004733/) (6.2 credits) – Pusica has surprised everyone with very good performances and is the biggest bargain in the game right now. In two games, Pusica has averaged 19.5 points on 41.7% three-pointers, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 21.0. A short-term fantasy wonder! 

[Zach Auguste, Frutti Extra Bursaspor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/zach-auguste/007948/) (12.0 credits) – Auguste has stepped up since Ahmet Duverioglu left Bursaspor due to personal issues. Over the last three games, Auguste has made 17 of 25 his two-pointers while averaging 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds for a PIR of 21.0. 

[Diego Flaccadori, Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/diego-flaccadori/005670/) (11.4 credits) – Trento needs to win in Hamburg to keep its playoff hopes alive and will rely on Flaccadori to make the difference. He's averaged 17.0 points and a PIR of 18.7 over the last three games, during which he's made 8 of 14 three-pointers. It's make-or-break time for Trento and Flaccadori.

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Gran Canaria (2023-03-21T18:00:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2023-03-21T17:45:00.000Z)

Slask Wroclaw v Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv (2023-03-22T19:00:00.000Z)

Promitheas Patras v Paris Basketball (2023-03-22T17:30:00.000Z)

London Lions v Turk Telekom Ankara (2023-03-22T19:30:00.000Z)

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v ratiopharm Ulm (2023-03-22T18:30:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Prometey Slobozhanske (2023-03-22T17:30:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v Joventut Badalona (2023-03-22T19:00:00.000Z)

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Frutti Extra Bursaspor (2023-03-22T17:00:00.000Z)

Germani Brescia v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2023-03-21T19:30:00.000Z)

Hello again! We come off a big home victory against Buducnost which kept our playoffs chances alive. We played a very good first half. We were coming off a bad loss against Treviso in the Italian League and knew that we had to win the game if we wanted to have mathematical chances to advance. We once again showed that we are together as a team and that allowed us to play a near-perfect first half. The team showed that is willing to keep fighting and this is what we will do until we run out of chances. Buducnost rallied and took the lead in the second half: Trae Bell-Haynes hit almost every shot, but not the decisive one. We stuck together and Darion Atkins grabbed a rebound off a block and that was it. We were a bit lucky, I have to admit.

Trent Lockett played a strong all-around game and that is great for us, of course. He is a very experienced player. He showed what he can do, and I hope we can keep playing like that. One of our biggest problems as a team is the lack of continuity, for all of us. We will try to keep playing this way to win our next game, which of course, will be difficult. 

"There is extra motivation to go to the playoffs. This format opens things up a lot and I would like to try it."

We play against Hamburg, our direct opponent in the fight to finish eighth. If we win, we need to beat Slask in Round 16 and Hamburg must lose in Gran Canaria, and only then would we be in the next round. Our main issue is that we haven't won on the road in the EuroCup for a very long time. It's been a few years now, but this is a great opportunity to break that losing streak. I believe they will surely have more pressure than we do. We will have to play more freely, knowing that if we win, everything may very well be in our hands. We have no choice other than to win our last two games. 

I believe that controlling the game tempo will be the key to the game. Hamburg plays fast-paced basketball and we are more of a halfcourt kind of team. It is up to us, the point guards, to dictate the right game tempo. I hope we can slow them down because it will be one of the keys to the game, making them play with less rhythm and fewer possessions. We have to rebound well on defense and not run the game clock too much, as it may lead to bad shots, giving them the opportunity to run. If they rush things to try to get more possessions, they may make more mistakes. We have to limit turnovers, which is always hard for us. 

Dolomiti Energia Trento playmaker Toto Forray is still going strong!

2022-23 EuroCup highlights: Toto Forray, Trento

Of course, I was with the team when we made it to the EuroCup Semifinals. There is extra motivation to go to the playoffs. This format opens things up a lot and I would like to try it. It is one thing to know that the format exists and it is a very different thing to play it. I would love to play this format because the hungriest team will win. In a do-or-die game, standings and what you did before the game is not that important, it doesn't count. All that counts is playing well in that particular game. 

Looking around our group, Hapoel is a team I like a lot, I think they will be very dangerous in this format. They have a well-rounded team and their home court is one of the toughest in Europe. They have a lot of fans and that can be a factor. They play very physical and have fans everywhere. If they play on the road, there are 1,000 fans watching them. Hapoel fans are so good they could be Argentinean! :) 

"This is the moment every basketball player is waiting for: it is time to compete for our goals."

Speaking of Argentina, my last blog entry came when we won the FIFA World Cup. It has been some time and it is still hard to believe, it's crazy. When I open Facebook, sometimes I still see reminders about it, so that people don't forget we are champions. You see pictures and everything. We are all still emotional about it, even though it was three months ago. It really happened, and as an Argentinean, it is still exciting. 

We have worked hard for many months and this is the moment every basketball player is waiting for: it is time to compete for our goals. Everybody wants to play these games. We prepared all season to reach this moment in the best shape possible. The games really matter and everybody knows it, from fans to players to everyone else. It is the best moment of the season and it is always a pleasure to reach this moment.

Toto Forray, Trento: 'We have no choice but to win'

The penultimate round of the 18-game 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season arrives on Tuesday and Wednesday with only a single playoff spot still to be filled – the last one in Group B – but a lot left to battle for among the teams that already punched their tickets to the elimination rounds.  Remember that the higher-placed team will host each single-elimination eighthfinals, quarterfinal, semifinal and final games going forward, so finishing with the best possible standing in the regular season is crucially important.

Here are the qualification and final group standing possibilities going into Round 17.

## Group A

[Prometey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/prometey-slobozhanske/roster/pmt/?season=2022-23) (12-4) will clinch first place in Group A with a road win against Cluj and a loss by Joventut.

[Joventut](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/roster/jov/?season=2022-23) (11-5) will secure a top-two finish with a win.

Joventut will finish second place with a loss by fewer than 3 points in regulation against Reyer (9-7) if Lietkabelis (9-7) loses and Prometey wins.

## Group B

[Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/gran-canaria/roster/can/?season=2022-23) (13-3) will clinch first place in Group B with a victory at Buducnost or if Hapoel loses at Buducnost.

Gran Canaria will clinch the best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs if it wins and Prometey loses.

[Turk Telekom](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/roster/ttk/?season=2022-23) (11-5) will secure eighthfinals home-court advantage with a road win over London.

Turk Telekom will secure eighthfinals home-court advantage if Promitheas and Buducnost both lose.

Turk Telekom will finish second with a win if Promitheas wins and Hapoel loses.

[Hapoel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/hapoel-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2022-23) (11-5) will secure home-court advantage with a win at Slask (1-15).

Hapoel will secure eighthfinals home-court advantage if Paris (10-6) and Buducnost (9-7) both lose.

[Paris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/paris-basketball/roster/prs/?season=2022-23) (10-6) will secure eighthfinals home-court advantage if it beats Promitheas by more than 3 points in regulation AND Hapoel wins.

Paris will be locked in fifth place if it loses by more than 3 points in regulation AND Turk Telekom wins.

Paris will be locked in fifth place if it loses by 14 points or more in regulation time.

[Promitheas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/promitheas-patras/roster/pat/?season=2022-23) (10-6) will secure eighthfinals home-court advantage if it beats Paris (10-6) AND Turk Telekom (11-5) wins.

Promitheas will secure eighthfinals home-court advantage with a victory over Paris of 14 points or more in regulation time.

Promitheas will finish fifth with a loss by more than 3 points in regulation if Hapoel and Buducnost both win.

[Buducnost](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/?season=2022-23) (9-7) will finish in the sixth place with a loss at home to Gran Canaria.

[London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/london-lions/roster/lli/?season=2022-23) (7-9) are locked in the seventh place.

[Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/veolia-hamburg-towers/roster/ham/?season=2022-23) (5-11) will qualify to the playoffs with a win over Trento.

[Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/roster/trn/?season=2022-23) (3-13) will be eliminated if loses against Hamburg.

Round 17 playoff possibilities

The last of the 18 tickets to the eighthfinals could be snatched up this week in Round 17, which leaves the remaining qualified teams jockeying for better positioning and home-court advantage in the knockout stage. With two wins separating third place from eighth in Group A – and several head-to-head clashes among those teams to be played, many teams are in the mix for a top-four finish. In Group B, Wednesday’s clash between Promitheas Patras and Paris Basketball could prove decisive. 

Round 17: Eighthfinals on the mind

The last of the 18 tickets to the eighthfinals could be snatched up this week in Round 17, which leaves the remaining qualified teams jockeying for better positioning and home-court advantage in the knockout stage. With two wins separating third place from eighth in Group A – and several head-to-head clashes among those teams to be played, many teams are in the mix for a top-four finish. In Group B, Wednesday’s clash between Promitheas Patras and Paris Basketball could prove decisive. 

[Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/veolia-towers-hamburg-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2022/169/)

Round 17 opens with the only game that matters in the race for the final remaining ticket to the knockout stages; only a Trento (3-13) victory keeps it in the race to overtake Hamburg (5-11) in Group B. If Hamburg wins, it will secure a berth in the next phase. In their previous meeting, Trento won 85-80 behind a career-high 18 points from Mattia Udom. 

Dolomiti Energia Trento - Veolia Hamburg Towers | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/buducnost-voli-podgorica-gran-canaria/U2022/170/)

Both teams have plenty to play for when Buducnost (9-7) faces Gran Canaria (13-3) on Tuesday; the hosts need to win to stay in the race for a top-four finish in Group B and a home game in the eighthfinals. Gran Canaria needs another to lock up the top spot in the group. Buducnost has won its last three home games, but Granca has won four of its last five on the road.

Gran Canaria - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Germani Brescia vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/germani-brescia-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2022/161/)

Brescia (7-9) will try to put an end to a two-game slide when it hosts Cedevita (3-13), which has already been eliminated from postseason contention. The hosts enter the week in seventh place, but only two wins behind the pack of teams tied for third and could conceivably still finish among the top four if it wins out. Amedeo Della Valle scored 19 to lead Brescia to an 80-83 victory in the Slovenian capital when they met in December.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - Germani Brescia | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Frutti Extra Bursaspor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys-frutti-extra-bursaspor/U2022/162/)

Wednesday begins with a Group A showdown between playoff-bound teams in much different form. Red-hot Lietkabelis (9-7) has won five straight games while Bursaspor (7-9) has lost five of its last six. But it was Bursaspor that was victorious in their Round 8 meeting 75-69 thanks to 18 points from Onuralp Bitim and the result of this game will have major implications on the final group standings.  

Frutti Extra Bursaspor - 7-Bet Lietkabelis Panevezys | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Promitheas Patras vs. Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/promitheas-patras-paris-basketball/U2022/167/)

The showdown between Promitheas (10-6) and Paris (10-6) could decide a top-four spot in Group B. Paris clinches home-court for the eighthfinals if it wins by more than 3 points – Promitheas won their clash in the French capital 71-74 in Round 8 – and Hapoel wins later Wednesday. Promitheas will be in the top four if it wins and so does Turk Telekom. 

Paris Basketball - Promitheas Patras| Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Prometey Slobozhanske](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/u-bt-cluj-napoca-prometey-slobozhanske/U2022/164/)

Prometey (12-4) will look to lock up the top spot in Group A when it hosts Cluj (5-11) in what promises to be a high-scoring showdown. A win combined with a Joventut loss clinches first place for Prometey, which is also the EuroCup's top-scoring team with 87.8 points per game. Cluj, which is sixth with 84.9 points, will look to play the role of spoiler as it has already been eliminated from post-season contention.

Prometey Slobozhanske - U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-ratiopharm-ulm/U2022/165/)

This is a must-win game for these two teams still dreaming of home-court advantage in the eighthfinals. Ulm (9-7) still controls its own destiny, while Bourg (8-8) can leapfrog in front of the German club with a big win. Yago Dos Santos partied with 18 points and 9 assists to lead Ulm to a 110-98 home win when they met in December.  

ratiopharm Ulm - Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Slask Wroclaw vs. Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/slask-wroclaw-hapoel-vegan-friendly-tel-aviv/U2022/168/)

Visiting Hapoel (11-5) can secure home-court advantage for the next stage with a road win at last-place Slask (1-15), which has lost seven in a row. Before losing at Buducnost earlier this month, Hapoel had won three straight on the road and it routed Slask earlier this season by 30 in Tel Aviv. This will be Slask’s final home game of the campaign. 

Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv - Slask Wroclaw | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Umana Reyer Venice vs. Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/umana-reyer-venice-joventut-badalona/U2022/163/)

Both teams have plenty to play for when Reyer hosts Joventut. Reyer (9-7) needs to win to keep its chances of hosting an eighthfinals game strong, while Joventut (11-5) can secure a top-two finish in Group A with a victory. Joventut edged Reyer 90-87 behind a career-high 23 points from Joel Parra earlier this season. 

Joventut Badalona - Umana Reyer Venice | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[London Lions vs. Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/london-lions-turk-telekom-ankara/U2022/166/)

The final game of the round will see two of this season’s top scorers clash with London’s Sam Dekker (18.4 ppg.) and Turk Telekom’s Axel Bouteille (17.6 ppg.) going at it. The visitors will clinch home-court advantage in the eighthfinals with a win. London (7-9) will finish the regular season in seventh place regardless of the outcome. Jerian Grant starred with 18 points and 9 assists when Turk Telekom (11-5) blasted London 102-74 earlier this season. 

Turk Telekom Ankara - London Lions | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

Gran Canaria notched an important victory over second-place Turk Telekom Ankara in Round 16 to move two wins clear at the top of Group B and control its own destiny with just two games remaining in the 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season. In a matchup between two of the season's top teams, Gran Canaria scored 15 points in transition. That may not seem like a lot, but in the EuroCup, easy baskets in the open floor are very hard to come by and, as a result, very valuable. 

The average EuroCup game only sees 24 points per game scored in transition between both teams. However, transition opportunities are converted for 1.13 points per possession – well ahead of the rate of 0.94 points per possession against set defenses. While most teams look to push the ball opportunistically and some will try to run somewhat aggressively at times, defenses at this level do a tremendous job eliminating those opportunities.

That's what makes little outbursts like the one Gran Canaria had against Turk Telekom notable. Due to their scarcity, a few good bounces can lead to a few extra points in transition and that can add up to a real advantage on the scoreboard. 

The table above displays this season's most prolific teams in transition. With each of the top three teams also sitting in the top three in their respective group standings, it's clear that some of this season's best teams have been the most productive in the open court.

How these teams push the ball and where their production comes from varies quite a bit. Turk Telekom and Gran Canaria, for example, attempt nearly half of their transition shots from beyond the arc as many of their players set up there in open-court situations. Hapoel, by contrast, attempts very few threes in the open court, with most of its fastbreak shooters going right to the rim with a staggering 77% success rate. Even when they do not find true fastbreak opportunities with a player breaking free behind the defense, some teams still find a way to put pressure on the paint in the open floor.

Even among the teams that look to get the ball to the rim when they push, there are some stylistic differences. Prometey Slobozhanske, for example, gets a large chunk of transition production from its ball-handlers, who will frequently grab outlet passes and push ahead looking for their own shots. The London Lions, by comparison, get a lot of shots around the rim in transition from guards running the wings.

Then there are teams like Promitheas Patras and Veolia Hamburg Towers, who frequently push and pitch the ball back to their big men trailing the play; or teams like U-BT Cluj-Napoca, whose players seek out contact aggressively when they run.

While the list of teams above have a degree of aggressiveness in common, how they approach scoring in transition varies quite a bit. Ultimately, regardless of how teams create opportunities, their production in transition can be the difference in wins and losses this time of the year.

The gold dust of scoring in transition

Look back at all the action in the Regular Season Round 16 by checking out the best photos of the week!

Photos of the week, Round 16

### Denis stepped up for Paris 

Paris Basketball had to overcome a number of absences to beat Slask Wroclaw [89-85](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/paris-basketball-slask-wroclaw/U2022/159/) at home in Round 16 of the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season. Gauthier Denis was one of the players that stepped up on a night when Paris needed its role players to come to the fore. He played almost 30 minutes and finished the game with personal-best marks of 17 points and a PIR of 20. Denis buried 3-of-7 three-point shots and went 6-for-6 on free throws, while he also added 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 fouls drawn. His all-round performance allowed Paris to grab its 10th win in Group B. 

Gauthier Denis had personal-best marks of 17 points and 20 PIR to lead Paris Basketball past Slask Wroclaw in Round 16.

Denis has career-high 17 points against Slask

### Granger filled veteran role

Umana Reyer Venice stayed in the fight to be second in Group A following a [73-89](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/frutti-extra-bursaspor-umana-reyer-venice/U2022/154/) win against Frutti Exra Bursaspor at Tofas Spor Salonu. Jayson Granger knew it was time for him to take over, as Reyer's other playmaker, Marco Spissu, was unavailable. The experienced Granger spent over 37 minutes on the floor and was able to amass 18 points, 5 rebounds, a season-best 8 assists, 1 steal and as many as 8 fouls drawn. All that allowed Granger to amass a PIR of 29, a new career high.

Jayson Granger led Umana Reyere Venice to a road victory against Frutti Extra Bursaspor, 73-89.

Granger has a career-high PIR of 29 in Round 16

### Balvin dominated in the paint

Prometey Slobozhanske secured a top-two finish in Group A by topping Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse [96-82](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/prometey-slobozhanske-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2022/152/) at Arena Riga on Wednesday. Ondrej Balvin was a dominant force in the paint and helped Prometey get its ninth consecutive victory. Balvin had really solid numbers, getting 16 points, his best scoring night since late December, on 5-of-7 two-pointers and 6-of-8 free throws. He added 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 5 fouls drawn for a PIR of 22. 

Prometey Slobozhanske center Ondrej Balvin had 16 points and 8 rebounds in his team's win against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse.

Balvin dominates against Bourg

### Shurna made it rain 

Gran Canaria took a giant step towards finishing the EuroCup Regular Season with the best overall record by downing Turk Telekom Ankara [89-79](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/gran-canaria-turk-telekom-ankara/U2022/156/) to improve to a competition-best 13-3 in the standings. John Shurna hit shots from every angle, finishing this critical showdown with 20 points on 3-of-4 two-pointers and 3-of-5 three-pointers. He added 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 4 fouls drawn for a team-high PIR of 23, his best mark this season.

John Shurna of Gran Canaria had a season-high PIR of 23 in a winning effort against Turk Telekom Ankara.

Shurna leads Gran Canaria past Turk Telekom

### Zugic showcased his obvious potential

Fedor Zugic is a name that many EuroCup fans will already be familiar with, but the 19-year-old reminded everyone just why he is one of the brightest prospects in Europe with a season-high 21-point showing in ratiopharm Ulm's [97-85](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/ratiopharm-ulm-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2022/151/) win against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. Prior to Wednesday night's action in Round 16, Zugic had only reached double digits on two occasions this season, having had 18 points in Round 1 and 11 in Round 8. His 21 points are not the most in his young career, though, as his career-best mark came against Gran Canaria in Round 15 of the 2021-22 season, when he scored 22 points.

Fedor Zugic (21 points) Highlights vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, 03/15/2023

Zugic showcased his obvious potential

### Tokoto set Hapoel up for comeback

When Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv is in action, several players tend to catch the eyes of fans, most notably J'Covan Brown, Xavier Munford, Jordan McRae and Chinanu Onuaku. Yet, one player who tends to play a crucial role in the shadows is JP Tokoto, who had his first-ever double-double in the EuroCup in Round 16, as Hapoel defeated Veolia Towers Hamburg [91-85](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/hapoel-vegan-friendly-tel-aviv-veolia-towers-hamburg/U2022/158/). Tokoto finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, but his first-quarter contribution of 8 points and 5 rebounds came at a point when Hamburg was dominating the glass and scoring at ease. Without Tokoto's stat line inside the opening 10 minutes, a quarter Hapoel lost 26-29, the team would have had an even harder time trying to mount a comeback.

Jp Tokoto (12 points) Highlights vs. Hamburg Towers, 03/14/2023

Tokoto set Hapoel up for comeback

### Lockett caused nightmares for Buducnost

Dolomiti Energia Trento grabbed a crucial [79-76](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/dolomiti-energia-trento-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2022/157/) victory against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in Round 16 that kept its playoff hopes alive, and one player who was integral in the win was guard Trent Lockett. In a complete display that saw him record 9 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, the 32-year-old also had a career-best 5 steals. Lockett's activity on the defensive end of the floor wreaked havoc, as he beat his previous best mark of 4 steals, which he achieved on one occasion in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, respectively.

Trent Lockett (9 points) Highlights vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, 03/14/2023

Lockett caused nightmares for Buducnost

EuroCup Round 16, roll call

[D.J. Stephens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dj-stephens/005982/) of Prometey was the leading scorer in Round 16, netting 28 points in his team's 96-82 win against Bourg. [Yogi Ferrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/yogi-ferrell/011281/) of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana is the EuroCup's top scorer at 19.2 points per game. 

U-BT Cluj-Napoca center [Emanuel Cate](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/emanuel-cate/005373/) grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in this round as his side fell 104-81 at Joventut Badalona. The leading rebounder in this year's EuroCup is Buducnost VOLI Podgorica's [Alpha Kaba](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/alpha-kaba/007855/), who brings in 10.9 per night. 

Round 16 MVP [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan/012003/) dished a round-high 11 assists in Promitheas's victory at London. [J'Covan Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/j-covan-brown/011991/) of Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv is the EuroCup leader for assists with 7.0 per contest. 

A couple of players set new career highs for steals in this round, with [Leonardo Meindl](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/leonardo-meindl/011800/) of Cluj and [Trent Lockett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/trent-lockett/006383/) of Dolomiti Energia Trento recording 5 apiece. Overall, [Jeremiah Martin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jeremiah-martin/011899/) of Slask leads the way with 2.6 steals per game. 

Cedevita center [Karlo Matkovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/karlo-matkovic/009395/), Hapoel rim protector [Chinanu Onuaku](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/chinanu-onuaku-/012076/) and Germani Brescia big man [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/) all blocked 3 shots, the most in Round 16. Onuaku is now tied with [Ismael Kamagate](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ismael-kamagate/011926/) of Paris as the EuroCup's best shot blocker at 1.7 per night. 

Six players in this round – MVP Cowan (26 points, 11 assists) of Promitheas, [Jeremy Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jeremy-evans/007432/) (18 points, 10 rebounds) of Paris, [Yoeli Childs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/yoeli-childs/012013/) (19 points, 12 rebounds), [JP Tokoto](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jp-tokoto/011989/) (12 points, 10 rebounds) of Hapoel, and Cluj duo Cate (14 points, 13 rebounds) and [Jalen Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jalen-jones/009298/) (16 points, 10 rebounds) – all recorded double-doubles.

Individual highs: Emanuel Cate, 13 rebounds, Cluj

Round 16 MVP: Anthony Cowan, Promitheas Patras

[Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan/012003/) of Promitheas Patras has earned MVP of the Round honors in Round 16 of the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season after finishing with a career-high 34 PIR in his team's 89-93 road win at the London Lions.

The 25-year-old Cowan enjoyed a career night at Copper Box Arena, setting new personal highs en route to a 26-point, 11-assist double-double, his first in 16 EuroCup appearances. Although Cowan was a modest 2-of-6 from two-point range, he was particularly effective from three-point land and the free-throw line, going 5-of-7 and 7-of-8, respectively. After reaching the 11-assist mark in the third quarter, Cowan scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to ensure that his team left with the victory. On the night, he also grabbed 4 rebounds, had 2 steals and drew 6 fouls.

Anthony Cowan of Promitheas Patras has earned MVP of the Round honors in Round 16 of the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season after finishing with a career-high 34 PIR in his team's 89-93 road win at the London Lions.

Anthony Cowan | Round 16 MVP | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

The second-highest PIR in Round 16 belongs to [Jeremy Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jeremy-evans/007432/) of Paris Basketball, as he had a PIR of 33 in his side's 89-85 triumph against Slask Wroclaw. Evans led an undermanned Paris side on the night, recording an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double, along with 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks and 4 fouls drawn. [Jayson Granger](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jayson-granger/003024/) of Umana Reyer Venice rounds out the top three after recording a 29 PIR as his side's 73-89 win at Frutti Extra Bursaspor. The guard scored 18 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, provided 8 assists, had 1 steal and was fouled 8 times.[ D.J. Stephens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dj-stephens/005982/) recorded a PIR of 28, the fourth highest in Round 16, as Prometey Slobozhanske downed Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse 96-82. The high-flying Stephens had 28 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Completing the top five is [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jerian-grant/011204/) of Turk Telekom Ankara, with the guard amassing 23 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals in his side's 89-79 loss at Gran Canaria.

London Lions v Promitheas Patras (2023-03-15T19:30:00.000Z)