Michael Eric is knocking on the door of EuroCup history. The Turk Telekom Ankara center is one win away from joining the exclusive list of players to have won the 7DAYS EuroCup twice. His first crown came five years ago with Darussafaka Istanbul. 

 Michael Eric, Turk Telekom: 'You have to sacrifice to win at this level' 

[Michael Eric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/michael-eric/007360/) is knocking on the door of EuroCup history. The Turk Telekom Ankara center is one win away from joining the exclusive list of players to have won the 7DAYS EuroCup twice. His first crown came five years ago with Darussafaka Istanbul. 

Eric's path to basketball stardom was unlike that traveled by most other EuroCup greats. Born in Nigeria, soccer was his first choice of sports and Jay Jay Okocha was his first sports idol. A growth spurt and a trip to see his brother Stephen in Delaware, USA, back in 2004 changed his life. He started playing basketball in high school and went on to play college basketball for four years at Temple University. 

Eric started his professional career in the then-called D-League and played in Greece, Italy and Spain before joining Darussafaka in 2017. There, playing under legendary coach David Blatt, Eric took his game to the next level.

"I just remember having great teammates. I remember being part of a great coaching staff, David Blatt and his group, and it surprised me how detailed we were, how efficient it was listening to him, being a competitor. And the results came out to be a championship," Eric said. 

"And when I look back at those times, it's growth for me because it helped me understand to win, you have to sacrifice certain things. You have to be in certain positions as a competitor. You have to just sacrifice to win at that level. So seeing that happened five years ago and being in a position completely different from what I'm used to just proves the point that you have to sacrifice something to be a part of a good team."

The first positive consequence of winning the EuroCup was playing the 2018-19 EuroLeague with Darussafaka. Eric proved he belonged at that level by averaging 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 29 games, playing less than 21 minutes per night. 

"It was a no-brainer. I didn't want to change the comfort level I created, but at the same time, it was a very good basketball move because I wanted to play against the best of the best. I wanted to play in the EuroLeague. I wanted to showcase that I could play. And with that opportunity that I had on the table, I took the opportunity," Eric said. 

"It was a no-brainer because I felt like they would give me the chance to actually play well, to actually showcase what I wanted to do. I know we didn't have a great season that year, but it was an opportunity for me to help my career grow and be dependent on as a good defender or a solid post player or '5' man, at least in Europe. So it helped me, winning the EuroCup, going into the EuroLeague."

His great season with Darussafaka offered him new opportunities. Eric went on to play for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and after a short stint with Turk Telekom, he joined mighty CSKA Moscow and took part in the 2021 EuroLeague Final Four. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds for CSKA in a very different role. 

"It was really one of the highlights of my career. I have been dreaming about winning the EuroLeague since then," he said. 

Eric went from CSKA to Unicaja Malaga looking for more playing time, but he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. Although that is one of the most devastating injuries in basketball, Eric fought back. 

"Coming back from the injury was another thing. Just to make all of this even better and feel great about being in the finals and trying to fight for a EuroCup championship. A year ago, I was literally contemplating retirement. I was like 'ACL at 34? This is not going to go well.' And I get a chance to be on a team that is rolling and a team that needed my help," he said. "If it's 2 minutes, if it's 10 minutes, if it's 15 minutes... it made me feel special, made me feel like I was doing something right, at least trying to get back from this injury. So it pushed me more."

Michael Eric played for Darussafaka Istanbul, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and CSKA Moscow from 2018 to 2021.

Micheal Eric in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Now, Eric is back with Turk Telekom trying to help the team make history. His role is not the same as before, as Tyrique Jones's backup at center, but he really wanted to help a competitive team get better and that is exactly what he is bringing to the table. 

"I was not worried about certain things that you worry about when you're coming to a new situation. All I had to do was try to get my body and my mind right for opportunities like this, to be in a position just to come in and use my experience to help," Eric said. 

"Obviously, I can't play 20 minutes, but the opportunity that I get, I do what I can. That connection I made the year before I left for CSKA. It was really special to them. It's special to me. It was just a gift back to each other because I know what I'm getting from them as good people and they know what they will get from me, from my hard work and the opportunity that I'm going to take advantage of. So it was a no-brainer for both parties."

Eric is one of two Turk Telekom players who won the EuroCup with Darussafaka. The other, Emircan Kosut, has not played for the team this season. That leaves Eric as the only active player on the team who knows how it feels to win the EuroCup. At first, however, he didn't think the team had what it takes to win it, but now he is 100% onboard. 

Michael Eric is in his second stint with Turk Telekom Ankara

2022-23 EuroCup highlights: Micheal Eric, Turk Telekom

"We talk about it all the time. Since the day I got here, the first initial thing they were talking about was, 'Man, we're trying to win the EuroCup'. And I didn't even look at them like, 'Oh, this is impossible'. I saw the connection. I saw the team bonding, the way each player on the team talks to each other, keeps each other accountable. I said, 'Oh, for sure, these guys are special'. I was classifying them as 'these guys' because I just joined the team! But now I realized I'm also involved, you know?" Eric said. 

"But those few days I'm like, 'Man, these guys are actually special,' because they connect on a different level other than just basketball. They pick each other up, they keep each other accountable on and off the court. We were just bonding, and when they brought questions up to me related to EuroCup, about winning it, I said it was doable."

A piece of advice? Eric believes the team is ready to go all the way. 

"You just got to trust each other and fight through the last second of each game, and that's what we have done. Actually, every game we might be up or down 20, but fighting together was what I saw that they are great at, as well as giving us hope to be a EuroCup champion," he added. "So I have pretty much nothing really to advise them on except how great of a feeling it is to just lift the trophy and represent a club or represent a country like Turkiye that will always take care of you if you do such a thing. So that's what I was able to tell them. 'Don't worry, you'll be fine if you win this EuroCup'."

Game News

Game Videos

Michael Eric, Turk Telekom: 'You have to sacrifice to win at this level'

Gran Canaria v Turk Telekom Ankara (2023-05-03T19:00:00.000Z)

The countdown to the 2023 7DAYS EuroCup Final is underway. However, before a champion is crowned, it is only fitting to stop and salute the standout performers who made the 2022-23 a success. The five players selected to the All-EuroCup First Team through voting by fans, media, head coaches and team captains are first-time honorees who led their respective teams deep into the EuroCup Playoffs.  

2022-23 All-EuroCup First Team

The countdown to the 2023 7DAYS EuroCup Final is underway. However, before a champion is crowned, it is only fitting to stop and salute the standout performers who made the 2022-23 a success. The five players selected to the All-EuroCup First Team through voting by fans, media, head coaches and team captains are first-time honorees who led their respective teams deep into the EuroCup Playoffs. 

### [Jerian Grant, Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jerian-grant/011204/)

Turk Telekom Ankara's success this season has been in part a result of the excellent play of Jerian Grant. The guard played all 18 games in the regular season and averaged 14.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.4 steals for a PIR of 18.5 as Turk Telekom finished with a 13-5 record. His totals for assists and PIR rank him among the top four in each category. Grant was the Quarterfinals MVP after going for 20 points and 7 assists against ratiopharm Ulm. Coach Erdem Can relied on him for 40 minutes in the semifinal victory over Prometey Slobozhanske, in which he recorded 19 points, 6 assists and 2 steals. Turk Telekom will take on Gran Canaria in Wednesday's final with a place in next year's EuroLeague up for grabs.

2022-23 All-EuroCup First Team: Jerian Grant, Turk Telekom Ankara

### [D.J. Stephens, Prometey Slobozhanske](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dj-stephens/005982/)

All season long, EuroCup fans have been able to enjoy the high-flying dunks of Prometey Slobozhanske forward D.J. Stephens. Yet, he is so much more than that. In his second season in the competition, the 32-year-old averaged 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and a 15.1 PIR while helping lead newcomer Prometey to the semifinals. Stephens played in every possible fixture for his team this season and was a key reason behind Prometey's 13-game winning streak. That run helped the team wrap up the No.1 spot in Group A and took it as far as the last four, where it lost to Turk Telekom. In the postseason, Stephens improved on his regular-season averages by posting 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds. Stephens ranked fourth in the competition in two-point accuracy at 72.8%.

2022-23 All-EuroCup First Team: D.J. Stephens, Prometey Slobozhanske

### [Axel Bouteille, Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/)

Alex Bouteille is the top scorer among teams that won a game in the EuroCup Playoffs this season. The French sharpshooter played all 21 games for Turk Telekom this season and he hit double digits for points in all but two fixtures. Bouteille closed the regular season with an average of 17.7 points, the most on Turk Telekom's roster and the fourth highest in the EuroCup, before going on to score 21 in the eighthfinals, 18 in the quarterfinals and 16 in the semifinals. He also grabbed 8 rebounds in the road win at Prometey to earn Semifinals MVP honors. No player in the EuroCup has made more three-pointers than the 60 scored by Bouteille this season. Add in his 4.8 boards per game and there's no denying Bouteille's impact on this year's EuroCup finalist.

2022-23 All-EuroCup First Team: Axel Bouteille, Turk Telekom Ankara

### [John Shurna, Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/john-shurna/006588/)

He may not boast the stats of some of the other All-EuroCup selections, but John Shurna has been an integral part of Gran Canaria's success in 2022-23. The forward averaged 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and a 13.2 PIR in 23:11 minutes on the floor during 15 regular-season appearances before taking his game up a notch in the postseason. In Gran Canaria's wins against Frutti Extra Bursaspor and Paris Basketball in the eighthfinals and quarterfinals, respectively, Shurna made his presence felt by scoring 17 points on both occasions. Shurna deserves his flowers for an impressive campaign, which has Gran Canaria on the brink of a return to the EuroLeague for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.

2022-23 All-EuroCup First Team: John Shurna, Gran Canaria

### [Ante Tomic, Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/)

Ante Tomic continues to play a huge role for Joventut Badalona, both with his scoring and playmaking from the 5 position, as the player who tends to make everything tick for the Spanish team. The 36-year-old led Joventut in scoring during the regular season with 13.2 points per game, while he also grabbed the most rebounds (5.3 rpg.) and was among the team's leading assist providers with 3.4 helpers per night. Yet, in the playoffs, Tomic's influence grew even more as he tried to help Joventut get back into the EuroLeague after a 14-year absence. Joventut's dream came to an end in the semifinals with a loss to Gran Canaria, but the Croatian center averaged 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists across the eighthfinals, quarterfinals and semifinals. It was yet another very impressive campaign by Tomic.

2022-23 All-EuroCup First Team: Ante Tomic, Joventut Badalona

There have not been many rematches in the 7DAYS EuroCup postseason, but the Finals will change that. Gran Canaria has defeated Turk Telekom Ankara twice this season, which adds some intrigue to their impending matchup.

 EuroCup Final focal points 

There have not been many rematches in the 7DAYS EuroCup postseason, but the Finals will change that. [Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/gran-canaria/roster/can/?season=2022-23) has defeated [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/roster/ttk/?season=2022-23) twice this season, which adds some intrigue to their impending matchup.

### Round 7

In their first regular season matchup, Gran Canaria dominated the action in the first half, building an 18-point halftime lead on the road in Ankara that Turk Telekom cut to 81-88 by the final horn. With [Tony Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tony-taylor/005850/) scoring 28 points off the bench, Turk Telekom had a strong all-around showing on the offensive end. Gran Canaria, in contrast, had one of their most polarizing offensive performances of the season. Scoring 24 points over 16 one-on-one possessions, [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/) and [Damien Inglis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/damien-inglis/003960/) took advantage of the notable absence of Tyrique Jones on the interior.  Gran Canaria scored no more than 15 points in one-on-one situations in any game the rest of the year. Taking some pressure off the team's execution and perimeter shooting with their unexpected outburst in the post and work on the offensive glass, Salvo and Inglis forced Turk Telekom to play from behind and held the hosts at bay in the second half.

Turk Telekom Ankara - Gran Canaria | Round 7 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

### Round 16

In their second encounter, on its own court, Gran Canaria once again jumped out to an early lead on the way to an 89-79 victory. This time, Gran Canaria managed to hold Taylor to just 3 points, but [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jerian-grant/011204/), [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) and [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) combined to score 57. The issue for Turk Telekom was that Gran Canaria shot a red hot 15-for-29 from beyond the arc, once again giving the islanders a considerable margin for error down the stretch. With eight different players knocking down at least one three-pointer, Gran Canaria's performance fell in line with the team's first-ranked perimeter scoring this season. While unable to secure a win, Turk Telekom figured some things out in Round 16, holding Gran Canaria to just 3 offensive rebounds – 11 fewer than in Round 7. The Turks had some issues with fouls but found quite a bit of success operating out of ball screens and looking to score in the lane.

Gran Canaria - Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 16 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

### Final focal points

*Fast Starts*: Gran Canaria outscored Turk Telekom 106 to 71 in the first halves of their previous matchups this season. The visitors may have won the last three elimination games coming from behind, but they will not want to tempt fate again.

*Key Unit*: Turk Telekom scored 32 points on 22 possessions with Jerian Grant, [Erkan Yilmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/erkan-yilmaz/006372/), [Nate Sestina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nathan-sestina/011980/), Axel Bouteille and Tyrique Jones on the floor in their second matchup with Gran Canaria. Watch for that quintet and its effectiveness – or lack thereof – on Wednesday.

*Bench Factor*: [Tony Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tony-taylor/005850/), [Ferran Bassas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ferran-bassas/001607/) and [Vitor Benite](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/vitor-benite/007128/) each had big nights off the bench for their respective teams in the two regular season games between Gran Canaria and Turk Telekom. It would not be surprising for a hero to rise off the bench.

*Balance*: Over their regular season matchups, 10 Gran Canaria players scored between 10 and 25 points. Only six players made it into double figures for Turk Telekom in a pair of losses. It will be interesting to see if both teams shorten their benches in the Finals or if they stick to the rotations that have gotten them this far.

*Adjustments*: Both [Jaka Lakovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/gran-canaria/can/lakovic-jaka/?season=U2022) and [Erdem Can](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/can-erdem/?season=U2022) made pretty stark adjustments between the first and second matchups between these two teams. How they approach a rematch with everything on the line will be fascinating.

EuroCup Final focal points

7DAYS EuroCup Coach of the Year: Erdem Can, Turk Telekom Ankara


 

Turk Telekom Ankara's Erdem Can has been rewarded for his impressive coaching performances this season by being voted the 2022-23 Coach of the Year by his fellow 7DAYS EuroCup head coaches.

 

In his first year as Turk Telekom boss, Can guided the team to a 13-5 regular-season record and has since led the side to the EuroCup Final following three come-from-behind wins in the playoffs. The Turkish club will visit Gran Canaria on Wednesday for a do-or-die showdown with a place in next season's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague up for grabs.

 

The Coach of the Year award is among several trophies handed out to recognize the outstanding work achieved by some EuroCup participants during the 2022-23 EuroCup season. All 20 head coaches involved in this season's competition voted for the Coach of the Year honor. The Rising Star Trophy, also voted by the head coaches, was won for the second time by Aleksander Balcerowski of Gran Canaria. The All-EuroCup Teams and the 2022-23 MVP – for whom coaches, team captains, fans and media all vote – will be announced before the EuroCup Final.

 

Prior to this season, the 42-year-old Can had spent 10 years as an assistant, working under Neven Spahija (2012-13), Zeljko Obradovic (2013-20) and Igor Kokoskov (2020-21) at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, and under Quin Snyder (2021-22) at Utah of the NBA, before taking the Turk Telekom job. In his hometown of Ankara, where Can began his career as an assistant coach, he has utilized his vast experience to take Turk Telekom to the next level. Despite having had to integrate a whole host of new faces into the roster this season, Can has his team one step away from its first EuroLeague appearance since 1998.

With Turk Telekom Ankara on the brink of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, head coach Erdem Can has been rewarded for his impressive coaching performances this season by being named the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup Coach of the Year.

Turk Telekom began the season with a surprise defeat to Paris Basketball before reeling off five straight wins – against Veolia Towers Hamburg, Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv, Slask Wroclaw, Dolomiti Energia Trento and Promitheas Patras – as it improved to a 5-1 record and announced itself a major threat in this year's EuroCup. After a spell in which the team went 3-3 between Rounds 7 and 12, Turk Telekom ended the regular season strong with another 5-1 run, which allowed it to wrap up second spot in Group B.

 

Then, in the playoffs, Coach Can's team was up and down against Germani Brescia in the eighthfinals, with the lead changing hands throughout the contest. Brescia led at halftime, 36-38, but a convincing fourth-quarter performance allowed Turk Telekom to wrap up a 77-69 victory. The task at hand went up a notch in the quarterfinals, with ratiopharm Ulm leading 50-57 entering the final period, but a 36-19 quarter by Turk Telekom powered it to an 86-76 triumph. It looked as though the story was going to repeat itself in the semifinals, with Prometey Slobozhanske racing out to a 25-16 lead after the first quarter, but Coach Can ensured that his side kept its cool. Turk Telekom won the second quarter 13-25 to take a 38-41 halftime lead. Prometey edged the second half, 36-35, but Turk Telekom had done enough to book its place in the EuroCup Final, sparking scenes of jubilation at the final buzzer.

 

Can is the second Turkish coach to be named the EuroCup Coach of the Year, following the first-ever recipient of the award: Oktay Mahmuti of Benetton Treviso in 2009. This is also the second successive year that a coach from a Turkish club has earned this honor, as Dusan Alimpijevic of Frutti Extra Bursaspor was recognized for his team's EuroCup Final appearance in 2022. Aito Garcia Reneses is the only coach to have won the award twice, having done so with Gran Canaria in 2015 and ALBA Berlin in 2019.

 

The other previous winners were Ilias Zouros of Panellinios in 2010, Aleksandar Petrovic of Cedevita Zagreb in 2011, Jure Zdovc of Spartak St. Petersburg in 2012, Fotis Katsikaris of Uxue Bilbao Basket in 2013, Andrea Trinchieri of UNICS Kazan in 2014, Maurizio Buscaglia of Dolomiti Energia Trento in 2016, Pedro Martinez of Valencia Basket in 2017, Sasa Obradovic of Lokomotiv Kuban in 2018 and Zvezdan Mitrovic of AS Monaco in 2021.

Twenty teams started the 7DAYS EuroCup dreaming of playing in May. Eighteen of them have fallen by the wayside. One two remain – Gran Canaria and Turk Telekom Ankara – and they will duel on Wednesday to become the EuroCup champion and earn a berth in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. The winning team will capture the EuroCup crown for the first time in club history.

[**Gran Canaria (18-3) vs. Turk Telekom Ankara (16-5)**](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/gran-canaria-turk-telekom-ankara/U2022/195/)

Gran Canaria had the best record in the regular season and has knocked out Frutti Extra Bursaspor, Paris Basketball and Joventut Badalona – in that order – in the playoffs. Coached by Jaka Lakovic, Granca has one of the deepest teams in the competition with seven players averaging at least 8 points per game, including two players who combined to win the last three EuroCup Rising Star Trophies: [Aleksander Balcerowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksander-balcerowski/007553/) (2021, 2023) and [Khalifa Diop](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/khalifa-diop/008072/) (2022). 

Herbalife Gran Canaria, TURK TELEKOM ANKARA Top Plays from 04/05/2023 to 04/28/2023

Top Plays of Gran Canaria and Turk Telekom Ankara in the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup playoffs

Turk Telekom reached the final by beating Group A winner Prometey Slobozhanske on the road in the semifinal. Before that, it hurdled Germani Brescia and ratiopharm Ulm, both at home, in the playoffs. Coach Erdem Can's squad has been led by Semifinals MVP [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) and Quarterfinals MVP [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jerian-grant/011204/), with center [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) forming the third rib of a powerful trio.

This will be the third meeting between these teams this season after Granca swept their two Group B clashes. [Vitor Benite](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/vitor-benite/007128/) scored 21 points in the [81-88 victory in the Turkish capital](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/turk-telekom-ankara-gran-canaria/U2022/66/) in December and [John Shurna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/john-shurna/006588/) went for 20 points in the [89-79 home win in March](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/gran-canaria-turk-telekom-ankara/U2022/156/). Turk Telekom has not lost since.

EuroCup Final at a glance

Euroleague Basketball is pleased to announce that Aleksander Balcerowski of Gran Canaria has been chosen as the 7DAYS EuroCup Rising Star for the 2022-23 season. Voted on by the EuroCup's head coaches, the EuroCup Rising Star Trophy recognizes the most outstanding player in the competition who was younger than 22 years of age on July 1 of the summer before the season started. 

2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup Rising Star: Aleksander Balcerowski, Gran Canaria

Euroleague Basketball is pleased to announce that [Aleksander Balcerowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksander-balcerowski/007553/) of Gran Canaria has been chosen as the 7DAYS EuroCup Rising Star for the 2022-23 season. Voted on by the EuroCup's head coaches, the EuroCup Rising Star Trophy recognizes the most outstanding player in the competition who was younger than 22 years of age on July 1 of the summer before the season started. 

For Balcerowski, who turned 22 in November, this is the second EuroCup Rising Star award after he also won it in 2021. It also marks the third consecutive year a Gran Canaria player is awarded this trophy. Juhann Begarin of Paris Basketball came in second in the voting.

The Rising Star Trophy is among the awards given in recognition of the EuroCup's finest each season for their efforts on the basketball court. The head coaches will also choose one of their peers as the EuroCup Coach of the Year. The All-7DAYS EuroCup teams and the season's MVP, for whom fans, team captains and media also voted, will be announced before Turk Telekom Ankara visits Gran Canaria in the 7DAYS EuroCup Final on Wednesday, May 3.

Euroleague Basketball is pleased to announce that Aleksander Balcerowski of Gran Canaria has been chosen as the 7DAYS EuroCup Rising Star for the 2022-23 season. Voted on by the EuroCup's head coaches, the EuroCup Rising Star Trophy recognizes the most outstanding player in the competition who was younger than 22 years of age on July 1 of the summer before the season started.

Balcerowski helped Gran Canaria reach the EuroCup Finals for the second time in club history by averaging 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks for an average PIR of 10.8 in 21 appearances this season, despite playing fewer than 17 minutes per game. He ranked third in the competition in two-point accuracy at 72.9% and also knocked down 40.9% of his three-pointers. Balcerowski was the only player in the EuroCup averaging at least 1 three-point attempt per game to shoot better than 64.0% on twos and 40.0% on threes this season. Among Rising Star eligible players, Balcerowski ranked second in scoring (20.9), PIR (25.6) and blocks (2.4) on a per 40 minutes basis. 

Born in Swidnica, Poland, Balcerowski joined Gran Canaria's youth system in 2015 at the age of 14. On December 3, 2017, Balcerowski became the youngest Gran Canaria player to make his first-team debut; he was 17 years and 14 days old. He made his EuroCup debut against Tofas Bursa three days later. This is his fourth season in the competition and he played in the 2018-19 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, too. 

Balcerowski joins Bojan Dubljevic as the only two players to be chosen EuroCup Rising Star twice. Dubljevic received the award with Valencia Basket in 2013 and 2014. The list of Rising Star trophy winners also includes Milan Macvan of Hemofarm Vrsac in 2009, Victor Claver of Power Electronics Valencia in 2010, Donatas Motiejunas of Benetton Treviso in 2011, Jonas Valanciunas of Lietuvos Rytas in 2012, Kristaps Porzingis of Baloncesto Seville in 2015, Mateusz Ponitka of Stelmet Zielona Gora in 2016, Rolands Smits of Montakit Fuenlabrada in 2017, Dzanan Musa of Cedevita Zagreb in 2018, Martynas Echodas of Rytas Vilnius in 2019 and Khalifa Diop of Gran Canaria last season.

2022-23 Rising Star: Aleksander Balcerowski, Gran Canaria

Look back at all the action in the Semifinals by checking out the best photos of the week!

Photos of the week, Semifinals

It is not often that three players reach a European competition semifinal together with different teams. John Shurna, Andrew Albicy and Oliver Stevic just did that, and now they've helped Gran Canaria reach the 7DAYS EuroCup Final.

Third time's a charm for Shurna, Albicy, Stevic

It is not often that three players reach a European competition semifinal together with different teams. John Shurna, Andrew Albicy and Oliver Stevic just did that, and now [they've helped Gran Canaria reach the 7DAYS EuroCup Final](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/gran-canaria-joventut-badalona/U2022/194/).

Shurna, Albicy and Stevic first made it to the EuroCup Semifinals with MoraBanc Andorra in 2019. ALBA Berlin stood in Andorra's way to the final, sweeping the best-of-three playoff series. It took a 102-97 home win in the German capital and finished the job in Andorra, 81-87, despite 20 points and 6 assists from Albicy.

All three players ended up together playing for Gran Canaria and returning to the EuroCup Semifinals in the 2020-21 season. Gran Canaria did not have the home-court advantage in its playoffs series against AS Monaco, which took Game 1 at home, 82-77, and grabbed a win at Gran Canaria Arena, 74-76, to make it to the Finals and eventually win the title, downing UNICS Kazan.

This time, Gran Canaria had the home-court advantage and these three players knew it was a great opportunity to erase bad memories. Shurna led the team in the eighthfinals and the quarterfinals. He finished the semifinal game with 5 points, 2 rebounds and a PIR of 4.

Third time is a charm for Andrew Albicy of Gran Canaria!

Albicy reaches his first 7DAYS EuroCup Final!

"I have been fortunate to reach the EuroCup Semifinals twice, along with Andrew Albicy and Oliver Stevic: with Andorra in 2018, we lost against ALBA Berlin; and with Gran Canaria in 2021, we lost against Monaco," Shurna said in his EuroCup blog earlier this week. "We have to stay focused on the game ahead because it is going to be a really tough one. I am sure our fans will give us a big boost."

Stevic barely stepped on the court for 3 minutes, but he had time to draw a shooting foul and make both free-throw attempts. Albicy had a stellar performance, finishing the game with 17 points on 6-of-6 free throw shooting from 7 fouls drawn for a PIR of 19. He buried a critical three-pointer and added a pair of free throws for a 79-70 Gran Canaria lead with 2:28 left. Somehow, Joventut returned to the game but Albicy was able to celebrate in the end. 

"It was a tough game, but we stuck together. We had a game plan and did it correctly. We were a little bit scared at the end of the game but did our job," Albicy said, pointing out that his semifinals curse was broken. "I am very happy because it is my third semifinal and finally I go to the final. Finally!"

Albicy, Shurna and Stevic are now set to play the EuroCup final against Turk Telekom Ankara. Their experience will be very valuable and all three players have been around the competition for a long time. Shurna needs just 3 points to become the 23rd player to reach 1,000 in the competition. He ranks 17th in three-point shots made (151), but only three players above him have a better percentage (43.8% 3FG). Albicy ranks second all-time in assists (515) and fifth in steals (141). Stevic is fifth in rebounds (503). 

Gran Canaria v Joventut Badalona (2023-04-26T19:00:00.000Z)

Jerian Grant, Tyrique Jones and Axel Bouteille combined for a PIR of 63 to lead Turk Telekom Ankara to a 74-76 road win against Prometey Slobozhanske in the 7DAYS EuroCup Semifinals!

 Turk Telekom's Big Three delivers again 

Turk Telekom Ankara had very well-defined roles all season, and the semifinals showdown against Prometey Slobozhanske was no exception. Its main players led Turk Telekom to a 74-76 road win against Prometey Slobozhanske to reach the 7DAYS EuroCup Final for the first time.

[Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jerian-grant/011204/) has the team's primary floor general all season and proved why on Wednesday at Arena Riga. Grant led the winners with 19 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 8 fouls drawn and a PIR of 20. Telekom led 41-48 early in the second half when three different Prometey players – Illia Sydorov, Oleksandr Lypovyy and Gian Clavell – each struck from downtown. In response, Grant did not hesitate, scoring 8 quick points and burying a huge triple at the shot-clock buzzer that kept Turk Telekom out of trouble, 50-56. 

Grant is not the only Turk Telekom player always ready to hit tough shots. [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) scored 12 of his 16 points after the break, finishing the game with 4 three-pointers in 7 tries, 8 rebounds and a team-high PIR of 22. Bouteille made sure to hit the number of shots required to make his team get an opportunity to win the game down the stretch. 

Bouteille and Grant are the team's main creators, but [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) balances the team's offense just by being a great finisher around the rim, and the team's main defensive anchor. Jones had a double-double against Prometey, 11 points and 14 rebounds, and amassed a PIR of 21. He has been a 59.3% free throw shooter this season but hit 5 of 7 in the semifinals, hitting 1 of 2 with 11.6 seconds left to fix the final score. 

Grant, Jones, Bouteille: Turk Telekom's Big Three!

Grant, Bouteille and Jones have been rock-solid all-season. Turk Telekom is the only team with three players averaging a PIR of 18.0 or better. Grant ranks first (18.7 PIR), averaging 14.8 points and 6.2 assists. Bouteille (18.0 PIR) leads the team in scoring (17.8 ppg.) on 44.8% from downtown and 88.9% from the foul line this season. Jones (18.5 PIR) averages 12.5 points and a team-best 7.8 rebounds. 

The best thing that can be said about Turk Telekom is that despite having its roles so well-defined, any player can step up in crunch time, and that was shown against Prometey. The hosts went on an 8-0 run to take a 74-73 lead heading into the final minute. Point guard [Tony Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tony-taylor/005850/), one of the most experienced players in the team, buried the go-ahead mid-range jumper with 31.4 seconds left. The guests' strong defense made the difference down the stretch. 

"As I said from the beginning, I am not naming one player; we are a team. So, every single one needs to give everything, whatever is needed," Turk Telekom head coach Erdem Can said after the game. "It is not one name because the whole season, it has been the team's work." 

Grant, who was exultant after the game, also pointed out that Turk Telekom's initials are the  "T" of team. 

"It was a total team effort. You see, down the stretch, different guys made different plays and we came out on top," Grant said. "One more game! We have 40 more minutes! Forty more minutes!" 

Turk Telekom's Big Three delivers again 

Prometey Slobozhanske v Turk Telekom Ankara (2023-04-26T16:00:00.000Z)