7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys snapped its four-game losing streak by handing Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse its first defeat of the season, 84-80, in the opening game of Round 5 on Tuesday

Winless Lietkabelis upsets undefeated Bourg, 84-80

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys snapped its four-game losing streak by handing Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse its first defeat of the season, 84-80, in the opening game of Round 5 on Tuesday. Marko Pecarski pulled off a man-of-the-game display, going 9-for-9 on field goals and allowing the Lithuanian side to improve their record to 1-4. Having suffered a loss for the first time in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup campaign, Bourg dropped to 4-1.

Pecarski recorded a team-high 22 points, going a perfect 8-for-8 from inside the arc, 1-for-1 from deep and 3-for-3 from the line. Dovis Bickauskis made 4 triples to end the game on 16 points, Georgios Kalaitzakis scored 14 and Andrija Stipanovic added 11. For the visitors, Xavier Castaneda scored a game-high 23 points and Joel Ayayi netted 11.

Pecarski opened the scoring with a triple, but Brandon Paul set up Kevin Kokila before netting a jumper to put Bourg ahead, 3-4. The back and forth continued, with Pecarski taking his tally to 7 early points for an 11-7 lead. Yet, the visitors responded with a 2-11 run, as Joel Ayayi netred one from beyond the arc to put Bourg back in front, 13-18. Then, Kalaitzakis and Mantas Rubstavicius opened their accounts off the bench, cutting the difference to 18-20 after 10 minutes.

Bourg hit the ground running in the second, with Ayayi scoring two straight baskets to extend its lead to 19-26. A few Bourg turnovers allowed the hosts to go on a 9-2 run, with Martynas Varnas drilling one from deep and Stipanovic netting one from inside to put his team back level, 28-28. Bickauskis beat the buzzer with a triple to give Lietkabelis the lead and Varnas netted another three-pointer for a 34-30 cushion. Then, Bickauskis nailed another triple to take his tally to 10 first-half points before Nelson made 2 from the line to trim the deficit to 39-36 at the break.

Game Videos

Following a quiet first half, where he recorded just 2 points, Castaneda opened the second with two straight triples to put Bourg ahead 41-42. Yet, Pecarski netted from inside and Bickauskis scored his third triple of the clash for a 46-42 Lietkabelis lead. Then, the two teams exchanged blows, with Pecarski taking his tally to 17 points for a 54-47 cushion. Kalaitzakis made a couple of free throws to give Lietkabelis a double-digit lead for the first time in the game, 58-47, but Bourg responded with a 3-9 run capped off by a Castaneda triple just before the third-quarter buzzer. 

Stipanovic netted two straight buckets to open the closing quarter, but baskets from Mehdy Ngouama, Castaneda and Jordan Usher brought Bourg within 65-62. Yet, a Pecarski monster block on Castaneda shifted the momentum, with Bickauskis and Kalaitzakis netting one each from deep to extend Lietkabelis’s lead to 75-64 with 03:32 left on the clock. The visitors tightened up their defense and a few trips to the charity stripe brought them within 77-75 with 1 minute remaining. Then, Kalaitzakis made 1 of 2 from the line before Castaneda scored a floater, 78-77. But Pecarski netted a huge buzzer-beating jumper before two free throws from Kalaitzakis clinched it for the hosts.

Game News

Marko Pecarski dominated for the hosts with a career night

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2024-10-22T16:00:00.000Z)

CB Gran Canaria takes on ratiopharm Ulm in a fascinating EuroCup game this Tuesday night.

Gran Canaria is Ulm's last stop of a memorable road trip

Two teams that belong to BKT EuroCup royalty historically-speaking go up against each other when [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/carousels/dreamland-gran-canaria/?q=%7B%22articleId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22categoryId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22linkedId%22%3A%7B%22sourceSystem%22%3A%22FS_BASKETBALL_TEAM%22%2C%22sourceSystemId%22%3A%22can%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=Dreamland%20Gran%20Canaria) hosts [ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/carousels/ratiopharm-ulm/?q=%7B%22articleId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22categoryId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22linkedId%22%3A%7B%22sourceSystem%22%3A%22FS_BASKETBALL_TEAM%22%2C%22sourceSystemId%22%3A%22ulm%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=ratiopharm%20Ulm) in Round 5 on Tuesday night (21:00 CEST).

Indeed, Ulm and Gran Canaria have been in the competition for a long time. Ulm in its 12th EuroCup season and has played in every EuroCup campaign over the last 10 years. Gran Canaria is in its 17th EuroCup season and won the competition in 2023, the same year Ulm lifted the German League title.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘂𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 🏝️<br>📷 | <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GranCanariaCB</a> <br>📷 | Gran Canaria Arena<br>📷 | 21 Uhr, Magenta Sport<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/uuulmer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#uuulmer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/weareone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#weareone</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/canyoufeelit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#canyoufeelit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bkteurocup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bkteurocup</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/lottobw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lottobw</a> <a href="https://t.co/gs5VGMjW4c">pic.twitter.com/gs5VGMjW4c</a></p>&mdash; ratiopharm ulm (@ratiopharmulm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ratiopharmulm/status/1848590102789775596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Gran Canaria leads the all-time standings in points scored (20,414), rebounds (8,817), assists (4,338) and games played (231). Ulm ranks eighth in games played (171) and is set to climb two spots in the standings this season, going past ALBA Berlin (174) and Rytas Vilnius (179).

It will most certainly be a very special game for Gran Canaria head coach Jaka Lakovic. After a legendary playing career that saw him win the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title with FC Barcelona in 2010, Lakovic coached Ulm for three seasons – from 2019 to 2022 – before joining Gran Canaria.

Both teams have very different approaches when it comes to constructing their rosters, too. This past summer, for example, Gran Canaria looked for ready-made players while Ulm found some of the biggest young talents in European basketball, in addition to investing in players with no previous EuroCup experience.

Andrew Albicy and John Shurna combine for 253 EuroCup appearances.

Albicy, Shurna still going strong

Gran Canaria still has five players that helped the team win the EuroCup title in 2023: [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/), [Jovan Kljajic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jovan-kljajic/007560/), [John Shurna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/john-shurna/006588/), [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) and [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/). Albicy is arguably the most experienced EuroCup player in the competition this season, ranking second all-time in assists (620) and steals (178), as well as 10th in games played (124).

Shurna is another with plenty of experience, having taken part in 129 showdowns, ninth overall, ranking eighth in rebounds (474) and eighth in three-point shots made (182).

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">en bucle <a href="https://t.co/pK1C0l89Ei">pic.twitter.com/pK1C0l89Ei</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1848655755030716840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Gran Canaria also made sure that most of its newcomers knew what the competition was about, particularly its big guys. [Mike Tobey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mike-tobey/008966/) won the EuroCup with Valencia Basket in 2019; center [George Conditt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/george-conditt-iv/012016/) and scoring ace [Joe Thomasson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/joe-thomasson/012095/) were teammates at Promitheas Patras in the 2022-23 EuroCup season; and [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) has also appeared in the competition with Veolia Hamburg Towers. Only playmaker [Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/carlos-alocen/010623/) is a EuroCup newcomer after four years with EuroLeague perennial contender Real Madrid. 

Ulm is in the middle of a six-game road trip that has seen the team rack up plenty of air miles, with stops in Istanbul, Portland and now Gran Canaria. Only [Tommy Klepeisz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/thomas-klepeisz/010582/) and [Nicolas Bretzel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nicolas-bretzel/007952/) have 50 or more games of EuroCup experience, but Ulm does boast two of the best young players on the planet – and they are leading the team at present.

[Ben Saraf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ben-saraf/011437/) is surprising everybody in his first EuroCup season. At age 18, Saraf has started every one of Ulm’s EuroCup games, averaging 14.5 points, 6.0 assists, 4.8 fouls drawn and a PIR of 14.8. What’s more, he has posted double digits in scoring and PIR in all four of those contests. Saraf has joined forces with another prospect who is making plenty of headlines.

[Noa Essengue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/noa-essengue/011391/) turns 18 on December 10 but is playing like a veteran, coming off the bench to average 12.2 points on solid shooting (66.7% 2FG, 40.0% 3FG), 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 6.2 fouls drawn and a PIR of 17.5 in over 26 minutes on the court. Essengue and Saraf rank first and second on the team in PIR, with three-point threat Justinian Jessup (14.5 PIR) right behind.

Born in 2006, Noa Essengue and Ben Saraf are leading ratiopharm Ulm this season.

Essengue, Saraf are a highlight reel in Ulm

Fatigue may be an issue for Ulm in its current tour de force around the Northern Hemisphere. Its last win came against Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius on October 8, 76-94. That game was the first of a road trip that concludes in Gran Canaria this Tuesday night, with Ulm having lost four consecutive games: two in the German League, one in the EuroCup (107-74 against Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul) and another one in its exhibition game against the Trail Blazers.

Both teams started the EuroCup season with three consecutive victories and want to bounce back from their first losses of the season. Tune in for a highly entertaining game at Gran Canaria on Tuesday night.

They will go to battle this Tuesday night

Gran Canaria is Ulm's last stop of memorable road trip

Dreamland Gran Canaria v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-10-22T19:00:00.000Z)

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 5 in the BKT EuroCup, as well as who might be missing in action. 

Round 5: Pre-game quotes and injury reports

## Tuesday, October 22

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse

**Frederic Fauthoux, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse head coach**

"We know it won't be an easy trip. We are expecting a big game at Panevezys, we will have to put in the energy and intensity for this away game."

**Maksim Salash, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse player**

"We know it will be a difficult game, they always play good at home. But we want to continue winning and improve our game."

**Injury report:**

All of Bourg's players are healthy.

### Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul vs. Joventut Badalona

\--

### Trefl Sopot vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius

**Robert McGowens, Trefl Sopot guard**

"Wolves have a lot of players who can score well. They are really good in transition, good in ISO, one of the best in the EuroCup from percentages and analytics standpoint. We are just going to go out there and compete. We have been putting together really good days and getting better. Hopefully, it will finally pay off. We have to stick to our principles and do the little things, and keep competing at a high level."

**Injury report:** All of Trefl's players are available.

McGowens and Sopot welcome Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg

**Neven Spahija, Umana Reyer Venice head coach**

"We are recovering players, and it's a key factor for our game. Unfortunately, the schedule doesn't help us because we play again just 48 hours \[after Italian League game\]. Hamburg is a tough team, they haven't won yet, but we know them and their coach from last year, and they will come here to compete. We want to win another game, together with our fans. The constant must be the defense we showed in Pistoia."

**Kyle Wiltjer, Umana Reyer Venice forward**

"We are excited to play in front of our fans again, we want to show our value now that we are getting several players back. I believe it's the start of a new chapter for us, the season starts now. We need to play our basketball, defend hard, and gain more confidence. We want to deliver a great game for our fans."

**Injury Report:**

Reyer's Xavier Munford has a cartilage injury to his right knee, he is OUT for the game.

Reyer's Jordan Parks: experienced a muscle strain in his right thigh. OUT for the game.

Hamburg's Niklas Wimberg is out with a broken leg.<br>
Hamburg's Zsombor Maronka is out as he recovers from an ankle injury.<br>
Hamburg's Benedikt Turudic is out with back problems.

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. ratiopharm Ulm

**Ty Harrelson, ratiopham Ulm head coach**

"It's been a rapid journey. I hope that the night in our own beds from Sunday to Monday helped us to recover a little for the game in Gran Canaria. We know the quality of this team and what a great job Jaka is doing on the sidelines. We want to play more concentrated from the start tomorrow and show a reaction."

**Marcio Santos, ratiopham Ulm center**

"The game against Gran Canaria will be a real challenge. They are a strong team and have the home advantage on their side. We will go out with full energy to control the game from the start and give everything to win."

Ulm center Marcio Santos in action

## Wednesday, October 23

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca

**Yonatan Alon, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem head coach** 

"Cluj is an excellent team with experienced players and a very deep, high-quality roster. It will be a tough game, but we are ready. We are happy to face two of our former players – Mareks Mejeris and Zach Hankins. Zach gave a lot to Hapoel Jerusalem, and it's always good to play against players you know and can prepare for better."

**Chris Johnson, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem forward**

"We need to be locked in for 40 minutes and stay together. It's very important that we execute our game plan that our coach has for us  and play as hard as we can."<br>
**Injury report:**<br>
Jerusalem's Nimrod Levi is out with an ankle injury.

**Mihai Silvasan, U-BT Cluj-Napoca coach**

"This is an important game for us and we want to show that we are in good shape. We do not have any injuries, everybody is healthy and we made it to Bulgaria, so we are preparing for this game. We are focused on playing well. They have really talented players and I believe that defense will be one of the keys of the game. We need to stop their scorers and then use our own weapons!"

**Zach Hankins, U-BT Cluj-Napoca center**

"Hapoel Jerusalem is a great team, but we have to keep the same energy level that we had for the last games, playing our style and playing our pace. We have to focus on slowing Harper down and not let him get to the fault line as much as he is used to. It comes down to the style we want to play, being aggressive on the ball and better on the offensive boards. We want to control the game and it will be a really good challenge!"

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Valencia Basket

\--

### Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

**Ioannis Kastritis, Aris Midea Thessaloniki head coach**

"We have another very important game ahead of us in the EuroCup competition. We are in a situation where we are seeing continuous progress. So, regardless of whether we are talking about a league game or a EuroCup match, our primary focus is on our team. We need to keep improving in the areas of the game where it's necessary, and from there, the key is to show up just as hungry and highly motivated to achieve a winning result."

**Vasilis Toliopoulos, Aris Midea Thessaloniki guard**

"We know we have a very difficult game ahead. Cedevita's team is at 3-1, while we are at 1-3. We absolutely need to win in order to keep our chances of advancing to the next round. We will give it our all and hope for a positive result."

**Đorđe Adžić, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana assistant coach**

"We are eagerly looking forward to the game against Aris. I think that playing in Thessaloniki is one of the toughest away games in all competitions, especially in the EuroCup. This will be a new experience for us this season. Aris is a well-constructed team, though they had some difficulties at the beginning of the season. Our opponents have a very strong backcourt, and their big men are extremely athletic. Defensively, our primary focus should be on covering their guard duo, Vassilis Toliopoulos and David DeJulius, both complemented by Eleftherios Bochoridis, who has played at the EuroLeague level for many years. We also need to pay attention to their big men due to their specific playstyle, which involves deep rolls and offensive rebounds. Their defense is very aggressive, something we have already faced this season, but we need to be even more cautious and control our game under pressure."

**Rok Radovic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana forward**

"We are expecting a very tough game in Greece. Everyone knows that Aris always plays very well on their home court. With the support of their fans, they are always extremely aggressive on both ends of the floor. We are preparing diligently for our opponents, and we are heading to Thessaloniki with one goal – to win. We are satisfied with our start in the EuroCup, but we are taking it game by game. We cannot be satisfied with the current number of wins; we know we can achieve more, and we approach every game aiming for victory."

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul

\--

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

**Paolo Galbiati, Dolomiti Energia Trento head coach**

"For us, playing the EuroCup is a source of pride because being able to play against teams and players of the caliber of Patrick Beverley makes us happy and I think it should be the same for the fans, too. I would like many to come and support us in the cup also to see these players. They are a top-level team but for us playing against them is very stimulating and we will give one hundred percent to win. The club's motto is We Die Hard and we certainly will not give up after a slap."

**Jordan Ford, Dolomiti Energia Trento guard**

"We are very happy with a \[Italian League\] victory but we absolutely want to return to winning in the EuroCup too. We know that they are a very strong team and we will have to put the best version of ourselves on the court to counter their talent. The match up with Beverley? In basketball you play five against five, so we will have to face it all together."

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-10-23T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-10-23T17:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2024-10-23T16:30:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2024-10-23T17:30:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v Valencia Basket (2024-10-23T16:30:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2024-10-22T18:00:00.000Z)

Trefl Sopot v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2024-10-22T17:45:00.000Z)

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul v Joventut Badalona (2024-10-22T17:00:00.000Z)

Rasheed Sulaimon of Buducnost VOLI sat down with Euroleague.net's Javier Gancedo in a feature interview.

Rasheed Sulaimon, Buducnost: 'We believe in ourselves'

After [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/carousels/buducnost-voli-podgorica/?q=%7B%22articleId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22categoryId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22linkedId%22%3A%7B%22sourceSystem%22%3A%22FS_BASKETBALL_TEAM%22%2C%22sourceSystemId%22%3A%22bud%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=Buducnost%20VOLI%20Podgorica) started the season with a pair of losses in Group A, it managed to win its next two games and has positive momentum for a tough schedule ahead. That begins with its Round 5 showdown against top-of-the-table Bahcesehir College Istanbul. 

[Rasheed Sulaimon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/rasheed-sulaimon/011150/), who is in his third EuroCup season with as many teams, comes off a strong Round 4 performance against Trefl Sopot, in which he led Buducnost to a 92-85 home win with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 3 fouls drawn.

The 30-year-old Sulaimon won a gold medal with the U19 USA national team at the 2013 World Cup over Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic and Vasilije Micic. He has played in six different countries and seems to have found a perfect spot to showcase his talent with Buducnost, as he told [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)'s Javier Gancedo in this interview.

**Hello, Rasheed. Congratulations on beating Trefl Sopot. How tough was it to hold off their comeback?**

"Trefl has a lot of individual talent on their team, so they are a tricky matchup, as you can see. Even though they haven't won a game yet, I believe all their games have been relatively close. I thought we had a great game plan. We executed well in the first half and when we extended the lead, I thought we just had a little bit of complacency, a little bit of relax. And that's something we have to improve on, especially if we want to continue to go deep in this competition."

"Our talent in the last couple of games is starting to show."

**After a 0-2 start, Buducnost bounced back with a couple of quality wins. How did the team regroup so quickly?**

"I think we believe in ourselves. I think we have a talented roster. We have a good group of guys and also, we don't just get together on the court, but off the court as well. And that chemistry is continuing to build day by day. And as you know, with everything going on this past summer, everything kind of started quickly and right out of the gate, we played some really tough teams. In this competition, you think you might have a good team and you can go down 0-2. But we believed in ourselves, and as we continue to build that chemistry and that feel of playing with each other, I think our talent in the last couple of games is starting to show, and we are looking forward to continuing developing and trying to reach our potential as a team."

**This is your third EuroCup season after playing for Bourg and Wolves. How do you like the competition?**

"I like it a lot. It's very competitive, especially this year. If you look at it, I think from top to bottom, especially on our side of the bracket, every team is pretty much stacked or has very high-level quality players on their roster. So just from a competitive level and then, the added bonus of the opportunity to play in the EuroLeague. You look at teams like Paris Basketball and even Monaco a couple of years back that have taken that opportunity and become EuroLeague teams, so I think it's a great competition and I like playing in it."

**Have you been following your former teams? Bourg made it to the finals last season, Wolves had a huge win in Badalona just last week.**

"I'm a basketball junkie, so I follow basketball all over the world. And yes, I have been noticing the success of my past teams. Like I said, it just shows you the quality of the league from top to bottom. There are a lot of teams with a lot of quality, and it makes for good entertainment and makes for good, competitive basketball. And I'm happy to be a part of it."

"I have known Yogi [Ferrell] for a very long time, but always as rivals."

**You played against Yogi Ferrell in college. How great is it to play with him this season?**

"It's actually a big relief. A funny story about me and Yogi: when we were about 7-8 years old in America, he was from Indiana. I'm from Texas. Our teams met, I think, in the final four of nationals for 7 to 8 years old, and he beat us! And then after that, we kind of started that rivalry. We beat them the next year. I have known Yogi for a very long time, but always as rivals. So I have a big respect for his game and I think he does for my game as well. So it's a unique situation that we have never played with each other, but the chemistry just was instant because we have known each other our whole lives."

**After a good season with Wolves, what made you choose Buducnost over other options? Was playing with Yogi one of those factors?**

"It actually was a big, big pulling factor. I enjoyed my time at Wolves last year and I was hoping to stay. But you know, in this business, a lot of crazy things happen. I just kind of went for the team that had the biggest ambition and the team that showed me not only that they wanted me, but they had the ambition to build a big team and try to compete at every level. And time and time again, I think they were just always one of the teams that were in the mix. And they were always there from the beginning and just showing their relentless pursuit of me and their ambition. Talking with the coach, talking with the owner, it just felt like, 'yeah, this is a place that I want to take my next step'."

**You have played professionally in the U.S., France, Spain, Turkiye, Lithuania and now Montenegro. How is it to live in such different countries and get so many new experiences?**

"I think you just touched on the head. I mean, who would have thought a kid from Houston, Texas, with two immigrant parents, just because of a basketball, just because of a game, I get to travel and experience different parts of the world? It's been an amazing journey, and I'm grateful and honored that I have had this experience and stayed healthy enough. At 30 years old, I'm still a professional, still seeing the world, still enjoying life and making new experiences and great memories along the way. So I'm blessed, man."

Rasheed Sulaimon joined Buducnost VOLI Podgorica this season.

Rasheed Sulaimon: 2024-25 highlights

**Looking at your schedule, you play Bahcesehir, Hapoel, Ulm with its exciting young players and then a special game for you against Wolves. How much are you looking forward to all those games?**  

"The schedule here is, when you look at it on paper, you're like, 'wow, game after game, game in, night in, night out, you have to bring your A-game'. But that's why we're here, right? I love this sport for its competitive nature. So in between those games I think we played Red Star and Cedevita as well domestically. So it's one heck of a schedule and we are ready for it. This is what we signed up for. And as a competitor, there's no place I'd rather be than every game playing against the big teams and trying to show and prove that we can compete. And we are one of the top teams in competition as well."

**Generally speaking and from your own experience, do you feel like the EuroCup is underrated? And if so, why is that?**

"I think you look at everybody just especially from the American perspective, the only overseas basketball they kind of know is the EuroLeague, and which is rightfully so. But as you can see, there are a lot of teams in the EuroCup that have big rosters, that have big budgets. And I think Pat Beverley coming here is kind of putting notice on that. And now you are seeing that teams in the EuroCup can have players with the quality of a Pat Bev or Ish Wainwright or Johnathan Motley or... I'm naming one team \[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv\], but there are a lot of different teams that have big rosters as well. I think from that perspective, it's starting to get more and more eyes. And again, I think that added bonus of everybody vying for a spot in the EuroLeague adds that much, I guess, marketability to the competition."

**You and your team seem to be improving every day. What would make it a good season for you, personally, and for Buducnost?**

"I think it coincides into one goal. Like I said, I know my qualities. I think I'm a veteran at this point of my career. I know my qualities, my teammates know my qualities, everybody knows each other's qualities. But nothing means anything unless we win as a team. So whether I score 20 or I score 10, whatever it takes to win, I think if we all win, we all get the shine. So everybody is pretty locked in. Like I said, we have a talented roster, but the thing I love about this team is everybody takes their individual glory and sacrifices it and just tries to win games. And I think that's what we're trying to focus on doing."

The American is enjoying an impressive first season with the Montenegrin club

Fantasy expert Javier Gancedo has five recommended picks for Round 5 of the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge.

Fantasy tips, Round 5: Options for all budgets!

Round 5 of the BKT EuroCup is upon us, and there are plenty of players doing very well at the start of the season.

That gives managers plenty of good choices in the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/11), which is seeing some really high scores this season.

Here are my Round 5 recommendations to help you gain momentum or keep fighting in your push to secure top spot.

Kyle Wiltjer, Sehmus Hazer, Zavier Simpson, Anthony Cowan and Jaroslaw Zyskowski are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Round 5

### Anthony Cowan, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (12.7 credits)

Wolves registered a 63-86 road win against Joventut, a result no one saw coming – a 23-point blowout in Badalona. [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/) was key throughout, scoring 26 points, missing just two shots and finishing with a PIR of 33. For the season, he is averaging 17.0 points, 5.5 assists, 6.8 fouls drawn and a PIR of 20.0 in over 30 minutes per night. A must-have player.

### Jaroslaw Zyskowski, Trefl Sopot (9.6 credits)

I was pretty surprised by [Jaroslaw Zyskowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaroslaw-zyskowski/013295/) and his performance in Round 4. After being relatively quiet through the opening three rounds, Zyskowski had an amazing performance against Buducnost, getting 33 points on 4-of-4 two-pointers and 5-of-6 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 7 fouls drawn and a PIR of 37. He had averaged a PIR of 6.7 in the first three games. His time is now!

### Kyle Wiltjer, Umana Reyer Venice (10.8 credits)

Reyer is battling injuries and [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/) has made sure to step up and lead the team in a tough moment. Against Valencia, despite his team's loss, Wiltjer had 34 points, 4 rebounds, 5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 32. With high-scoring Hamburg coming to Venice, it is time to get Wiltjer and expect good things to happen.

### Zavier Simpson, U-BT Cluj-Napoca (14.0 credits)

Cluj started the season with a 1-3 record and takes on a tough opponent in Jerusalem on the road. It should be a big challenge for [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/), who is having a fantastic rookie EuroCup season. Until now, Simpson has averaged 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 4.5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 21.8. Simpson is posting stellar numbers all around!

### Sehmus Hazer, Bahcesehir College Istanbul (6.6 credits)

Here is a cheaper option to complete your teams as someone who can be on the bench and occasionally start. [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/) is coming off a great all-around performance, getting 7 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and a PIR of 16 against Trento. Overall, he is playing over 20 minutes per night, averaging 8.5 points and a PIR of 12.0. At just 6.6 credits, he’s worth a bet.

<center>
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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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Fantasy expert Javier Gancedo has five recommended picks for Round 5

Fantasy tips, Round 5: Options for all budgets

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv announced on Monday that it has signed high-scoring guard Antonio Blakeney for the remainder of the season.

Hapoel inks scorer Antonio Blakeney 

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv announced on Monday that it has signed high-scoring guard Antonio Blakeney for the remainder of the season. 

Blakeney (1.93 meters, 28 yers old) has spent the last two seasons playing in the Chinese Basketball Association. He led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game for the Jiangsu Dragons in the 2022-23 campaign, and last season tallied 30.5 points for the Nanjing Monkey Kings. 

In 102 career games over three seasons in China, Blakeney has been worth 32.0 points on 40.3% three-point shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

Hapoel general manager

"We are happy to welcome Antonio to our family. He is a very skilled guard, a competitive player who will help us with the very difficult schedule in the two competitions in which we participate."

Blakeney returns to Israel after finishing the 2021-22 season with Hapoel Beersheva. He averaged 24.5 points, 4.8 boards and 4.0 assists in that run. 

After playing college basketball at Louisiana State University, Blakeney began his professional career with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA and also played for their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. He was the G League Rookie of the Year in his first season after averaging a league-high 32.0 points plus 6.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. 

Blakeney has also played for the Canton Charge in the G League and for Al-Ahli in Bahrain.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🖨️✅ <a href="https://t.co/eHBbOrfLgu">pic.twitter.com/eHBbOrfLgu</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1848289223679340942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Hapoel Tel Aviv news

The guard led the Chinese League in scoring in 2023

The only teams with a 100% record in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup after four games are Valencia and Bourg, both in Group B

At a glance: Things are heating up

Round 5 of the BKT EuroCup features a number of clashes between direct rivals in the race for the playoffs, including two of the four co-leaders in Group A going head to head. Here’s your overview of the action.

## Tuesday, October 22

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse

Bourg (4-0) will aim to make it a perfect five out of five as it travels to face a Lietkabelis team (0-4) still waiting for its first win. Bourg is a tough defensive nut to crack, allowing just 70.5 points per game (third best in the EuroCup), and forces more turnovers than any other team (18.3 per night). So Lietkabelis could look to run the game through its big men, especially [Marko Pecarski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-pecarski/005656/), who averages 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in the last two games. Bourg will look for another strong showing from young guard [Xavier Castaneda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xavier-castaneda/013266/), who has reached double digits in scoring in every game so far, as well as averaging 3.2 assists.

### Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul vs. Joventut Badalona

Two teams with identical records but very different emotions from last week meet in Istanbul as Besiktas (2-2) hosts Joventut (2-2). The Turkish team flexed its muscles with a mightily impressive 107-74 victory over Ulm, with six different players scoring in double digits led by [Kyle Allman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-allman/011924/) (16). Besiktas will look to repeat its superb shooting efficiency from that Round 3 win, after making 71% of two-point shots and 53.3% from long-range. Joventut, meanwhile, suffered a 23-point home loss to the previously winless Wolves, and will hope that backcourt leader [Kassius Robertson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kassius-robertson/012740/) – who averages 12.2 points but made just 2-of-9 field goals last week – can lead the way to an instant reaction.

2024-25 BKT EuroCup  | Round 5 Head-to-Head: Mathews vs. Robertson

### Trefl Sopot vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius

After a stunning Round 3 triumph in Badalona to gain its first win, Wolves (1-3) will look to build further momentum as it visits winless Trefl (0-4). An outstanding shooting night from Round 4 MVP [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/) – 26 points on 6-of-8 field goal attempts – was vital for the Lithuanian team last week, while Trefl fell to defeat at Buducnost despite a stunning 33-points performance from [Jaroslaw Zyskowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaroslaw-zyskowski/013295/). To grab its first win, Trefl must tighten up a defense which has allowed an average of 87.5 points per game, while Wolves need to compete better under the boards after only grabbing 30.3 rebounds per game so far – third-worst in the competition.

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg

Reyer (1-3) will aim to snap a three-game losing streak as it welcomes winless Hamburg (0-4). The Italian team will look for more inside dominance from big man [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mfiondu-tshimanga-kabengele/012796/), who has registered three straight double-doubles and ranks second in the competition in PIR (25.8 per game). After scoring a career-high 34 points in last week’s loss at Valencia, [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/) will hope to stay hot against a league-worst Hamburg defense (99.3 points per game allowed). The German team needs to improve its three-point shooting after only making 3-of-26 in last week’s loss to Cluj, and will look for leadership from [Brae Ivey,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/billy-ivey/013308/) who has scored double digits in three consecutive games.

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. ratiopharm Ulm

Two teams sharing first place in Group A but aiming for a return to winning ways go head to head as Gran Canaria (3-1) welcomes Ulm (3-1). The Spanish team is struggling offensively, scoring just 66 points in both of the last two games, but can rely on consistency from guard [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) (14.8 points per game on 42.1% three-point shooting). After returning from its American adventure, Ulm needs to return its focus to European matters and recover from a 33-point Round 4 mauling at Besiktas. Teenage forward [Noa Essengue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/noa-essengue/011391/) did emerge from that game with credit, and will look to continue his growing reputation as one of the competition’s brightest rising talents after averaging 12.2 points and 5.8 rebounds so far.

2024-25 BKT EuroCup  | Round 5 Head-to-Head: Albicy vs. Plummer

## Wednesday, October 23

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca

Group B high-flyer Hapoel Jerusalem (3-1) is targeting a fourth straight victory as it welcomes a Cluj team (1-3) with confidence renewed after opening its win account last week. The game will deliver a big backcourt battle between two of the EuroCup’s best guards, with Jerusalem led by [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) (20.8 points and 7 assists per game) and Cluj counting on the equally exciting [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) (17.3 points, 7.5 assists). Also expect a tough tussle inside the paint between home ace [Austin Wiley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/austin-wiley/013278/) (7.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game) and visiting big man [De’Shawn Stephens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/de-shawn-stephens/006618/), who averages 13.7 points and 7.7 boards over the last three games.

2024-25 BKT EuroCup | Round 5 Head-to-Head: Smith vs. Salin

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Valencia Basket

Unbeaten Valencia (4-0) will aim to keep its offensive juggernaut rolling against the tough defense of Turk Telekom (3-1). The host is looking to bounce back after suffering its first loss of the campaign in a narrow defeat at Bourg, and will again lean on the best defense in the league (66.5 points per game allowed). Turk Telekom does also need plenty of offense, though, so will hope for another strong game from [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/) after he netted 20 points last week. Valencia averages a league-best 98.8 points based on sharing the ball (23.5 assists), with forward [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) on a hot streak after scoring 22 and 16 points in the last two games.

2024-25 BKT EuroCup   | Round 5 Head-to-Head: Alexander vs. Pradilla

### Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

Cedevita (3-1) will attempt to maintain its place near the top of Group B with a trip to dangerous Aris (1-3). The Greek team was outgunned by Hapoel Jerusalem last week but has a red-hot [David DeJulius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/david-de-julius/013250/), who averages 16.2 points per game on 57.5% field goal shooting. Looking after the basketball will be crucial: Aris averages 16.3 turnovers per game, fourth-worst in the competition, while Cedevita leads the EuroCup in that category with 11 ball losses per night. [Devante Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/devante-jones/013260/) is the key backcourt provider for the Slovenian team, averaging 11 points and 5 assists per game, while sharpshooter [Aleksej Nikolic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksej-nikolic/003703/) will aim to rediscover his range after missing all 5 of his three-point attempts last week.

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul

A pair of Group A teams on a roll meet as Buducnost (2-2) welcomes ambitious Bahcesehir (3-1). The Turkish team set a EuroCup club scoring record last week, blasting 110 points past Trento behind another dominant performance inside the paint from highlight-reel magnet [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/), who averages 14.2 points and 6 rebounds per season. Buducnost will hope to silence him through center [Kenan Kamenjas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kenan-kamenjas/008325/), who paired 18 points with 5 boards to overcome Trefl last week. Another key matchup will take place in the backcourt between home team star [Yogi Ferrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/yogi-ferrell/011281/) (11.2 points per game) and Bahcesehir’s combo guard [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/), who averages 5.8 assists with just 1 turnover.

2024-25 BKT EuroCup | Round 5 Head-to-Head: Kamenjas vs. Odiase

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

Struggling Trento (1-3) needs to bounce back from a pair of heavy losses with a visit from Group A co-leader Hapoel Tel Aviv (3-1). The Italian team has lost its last two games by 21 and 40 points, and needs more than the consistency of forward [Anthony Lamb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-lamb/013272/) – who has double-digits scoring in three consecutive games – to turn around its form. Hapoel has reeled off three straight wins through a balanced game focused on a strong inside game with the competition’s best two-point shooting conversion rate (63%). The main driving force is guard [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/), who has scored at least 14 points in every game as well as dishing an average of 5.0 assists, and posting a competition-high 2.5 steals per night.

The only teams with a 100% record after four games are Valencia and Bourg, both in Group B

Look back at all the action in Round 4 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Round 4

Look back at all the action from Round 4 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Marko Pecarski is competing in the BKT EuroCup for the first time as a major contributor. And the 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys center is also performing with the peace of mind of finally playing his own game.

Marko Pecarski finally playing his own game at Lietkabelis 

[Marko Pecarski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-pecarski/005656/) is competing in the BKT EuroCup for the first time as a major contributor. And the 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys center is also performing with the peace of mind of finally playing his own game.

Pecarski has averaged 10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.0 assist through four games with Lietkabelis, which is still looking for its first win in Group B.

This is a big season for the 24-year-old Serbian as he competes in the EuroCup for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign, when he appeared in eight games and collected totals of 7 points and 7 rebounds in 34 minutes.

“I want to show that I'm also a dominant big man at this level,” Pecarski, who averaged 4.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12 minutes per game in the 2017-18 EuroCup campaign, tells David Hein. “This season I want to play my game, to do all the stuff that I do great but at even a higher level. And also the stuff that are not my strengths, I want to show that I can improve on them.

"I have a lot to show at this level. It's simple. I don't want to talk about stats or anything, but I can play my game and perform great at this level.”

The best plays of 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys big man Marko Pecarski through the first four rounds of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Pecarski's top plays so far in 2024-25

Pecarski arrived in Lithuania this summer in Lithuania after playing last season with the Turkish club Denizli Basket, where he posted 11.1 points to go with 5.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists. But perhaps most meaningful were this trio of stats: 41.0% three-point shooting, 2.4 offensive rebounds per game and just 12 turnovers for the season, giving him just 12 total turnovers in 609 minutes over 24 games.

"I'm very versatile offensively – shooting, offensive rebounds. But people don’t pay much attention to those things especially when you talk about big guys,” he adds. “But just 0.5 turnovers shows I do not make mistakes and am very safe on the ball to make good decisions. I think that is what teammates that play with you respect and that coaches respect. That shows that you are calm, that you know your team and your coach can rely on you.”

This season is also big for Pecarski because it’s the first time he’s playing in a European competition as a foreigner.

“You have a responsibility as a foreigner to perform every single game and carry a lot for the team,” the Serbian says. “And I think the season in Turkiye is where I became much stronger. I learned how to handle all of that weight and all of that pressure. And I think that was like a perfect preparation for me for something like the EuroCup.”

Last season, Pecarski had two big games against Anadolu Efes Istanbul – 15 points and 9 rebounds in his first game against the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague side, then 23 points and 8 rebounds the second time around. He also had a big 27-point, 11-rebound double-double against Manisa, as well as 26 and 14 against Darussafaka.

“That is the reason why I came to Turkiye and why I accepted that challenge, to be able to play as a foreigner against such big clubs,” Pecarski explains. “It's different when you're playing in an upper league and you're a local player. There is a different kind of pressure when you play as a foreign guy. And it felt great because I felt like I succeeded in some of my goals: to successfully perform as a foreigner and to establish myself as a player in such a big league abroad.”

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Another reason Pecarski cites for his success this season is being back together again with head coach Nenad Canak, who coached the center at the youth level at Mega Belgrade and also when he played at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in 2017-18 and part of the following season.

“When I started my professional career \[with Partizan\] I was very young, but I had a very good relationship with him and when he called me everything was feeling good,” he says. “I have big, big trust in him and what we talked about, and we have a great relationship.”

With the comfort of a coach who has known him for many years and the confidence from last season, Marko Pecarski feels right at home with the pressure of needing to perform in the EuroCup – and playing his own game.

More Lietkabelis News

The Serbian center has been one of the Lithuanian team's star players this season