Bahcesehir College Istanbul grabbed a key win by overcoming direct rival Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 90-82 in a game relocated to Belgrade

Bahcesehir stays atop Group A by downing Hapoel, 90-82

Bahcesehir College Istanbul grabbed a key win by overcoming direct rival Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 90-82 in a game relocated to Belgrade. The Turkish team stayed atop of Group A at 7-1, while Hapoel dropped to 4-3.

A closely contested first half was followed by Bahcesehir slowly pulling away, establishing a double-digit lead early in the fourth which eventually proved decisive. 

Jaleen Smith came close to a EuroCup record with 15 assists, while Seamus Hazer scored a career-high 23 points. Tai Odiase added 19 and Tyler Cavanaugh had a double-double of 12 points plus 10 rebounds, while Mateusz Ponitka scored 14 and Marko Simonovic netted 13. Patrick Beverley led Hapoel with 18 points and 8 assists, and Marcus Foster scored 15.

Game Videos

Both teams found fluent offense in the opening exchanges, with Bruno Caboclo and Odiase throwing down fierce dunks while Ish Wainright and Cavanaugh traded three-pointers. Beverley’s driving basket got Hapoel in front, 11-13, and Bar Timor protected the lead from long-range. Hazer’s determined layup and Simonovic’s hook shot tied it up, and Simonovic added free throws for a 22-20 lead after 10 minutes.

Ponitka started the second quarter with a brutal dunk before Caboclo’s tip-in ended Hapoel’s three-minute scoring drought. Hazer and Foster scored tough close-range baskets, keeping the hosts ahead at 29-25. Beverley’s triple followed by Wainright’s layup-and-one saw Hapoel move ahead before Axel Bouteille and Beverley both made tough shots. Foster scored 4 points in a row, including a high-flying alley-oop, and Hazer and Beverley traded triples. Tomer Ginat ended the half in style, beating the buzzer for a 38-44 lead.

Game News

The second half started with a Beverley triple, but Odiase’s three-point play sparked a big Bahcesehir fightback. Bouteille scored at the rim, Odiase netted again and Hazer was on target from long- and close-range for a 12-2 run and a 52-49 lead. Foster and Bouteille traded triples, and Odiase kept on rolling with another three-point play for a 60-54 advantage. Beverley hit his fourth triple, before Ponitka and Joe Ragland both netted two and three-pointers to make it 68-64 with 10 minutes left.

Another Hazer triple and Simonovic’s dunk pulled Bahcesehir further clear, and Ponitka was also on target from deep for a 76-64 lead. Deep strikes from Ginat and Caboclo gave Hapoel hope, and Ginat’s layup completed a 0-8 run for a 76-72 score. But Ponitka scored twice to reassert Bahcesehir, and close-range baskets for Cavanaugh and Odiase secured the win as Hapoel could only score free throws in the closing 5 minutes.

Jaleen Smith and Sehmus Hazer put up the big numbers for the winners

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-11-05T19:00:00.000Z)

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul improved to 4-3 in Group A of the BTK EuroCup after blistering shooting from deep helped it to a 79-100 road win over Trefl Sopot in Round 7. 

Besiktas shines from long range to thrash Trefl Sopot

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul improved to 4-3 in Group A of the BTK EuroCup after blistering shooting from deep helped it to a 79-100 road win over Trefl Sopot in Round 7.

Jonah Mathews led the charge with a game-high 21 points. Yigit Arslan added 19 points while Conor Morgan and Dustin Sleva chipped in with 11 apiece for the visitors, who found an extra gear in the last few minutes to break Sopot down after leading for the lion’s share of the contest.

Trefl, which is still winless as the Polish outfit dropped to 0-7, was paced by Andy van Vleet who had 15 points. Robert McGowens scored 15, Aaron Best amassed 12 and Mikolaj Witllinski netted 11, but the supporting cast was well short of the requirements for the home team to register its first win of the season in the competition.

Trefl made a promising start as the hosts raced into a 6-2 lead, but they nosed ahead for the last time in the game, 17-16, before a 4-16 run by Besiktas turned the tide for good. The visitors were 25-32 ahead at the end of the first quarter.

Although Sopot fought hard to slash the deficit, the Turkish team led 33-45 midway through the second quarter before the home side managed to close the gap to 51-57 at halftime.  

Besiktas thrived from deep as it made 8 of 13 shots from downtown in the opening two quarters and the visiting team carried on in the second half where it left off in the first, with Mathews scoring its first 7 points after the break.

Still, stubborn Sopot kept coming and soon closed in to 72-75 late in the third quarter before a Besiktas blitz lifted the visitors to 74-81 ahead of the final 10 minutes.

The fourth quarter was one-way traffic as Besiktas, which was 78-86 in front midway through the final period, beefed up its defense and raced clear on the back of a 1-14 streak in the last few minutes to celebrate an emphatic victory over its beleaguered rival.

The visitors shot the lights out and kept their feet on the gas in the fourth quarter

Besiktas shines from long range to thrash Trefl

Trefl Sopot v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-11-05T18:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir and Hapoel Tel Aviv, two of the leading contenders to win the EuroCup, go head to head in Round 7 on Tuesday night.

Bahcesehir hosts Hapoel in high-profile showdown

A big basketball battle is expected in Group A on Tuesday night as Bahcesehir College Istanbul (5-1) takes on Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (4-2) at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, Serbia. Entering this contest, Bahcesehir has won its last three games while Hapoel has lost just one of its last five showdowns. 

The two squads have confirmed their status as title contenders so far this season. Bahcesehir is back in the EuroCup after its first experience in the 2020-21 campaign that did not go too well. With experienced players like [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/), [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/), [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) and [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/), things were meant to be different. 

It is defense, however, which is setting Bahcesehir apart from the other teams in Group A. Coach Dejan Radonjic's team statistically has the best defense in the competition, allowing just 68.8 points per night. That is over 7.0 points better than any other team in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup; Turk Telekom Ankara ranks second on that list, allowing just 76.0 points per game. 

Bahcesehir has been protecting its paint at an elite level, allowing opponents to hit just a league-low 48.5% of its two-point shots, and teams are not doing much better from downtown (32.1% 3FG). Despite so many misses, Bahcesehir only allows 10.3 offensive rebounds per night, getting 25.0 defensive boards. Only 29.2% of all rebounds under its rim end up in their rivals' hands. 

One can think Bahcesehir allows fewer points because of the game pace. Numbers should prove critics wrong, as Coach Radonjic's team ranks fifth in scoring at 85.2 per game. Excellent defense leads to a very efficient offense, as Bahcesehir ranks first overall in three-point shooting (41.4%) and has an excellent 1.50 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

Bahcesehir College Istanbul ranks first overall in three-point shooting (41.4%).

Bahcesehir: effective from beyond the arc

Four of its players are shooting over 45.0% from beyond the arc. [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) (57.1% 3FG) ranks seventh overall, then Bouteille (46.4%), Cavanaugh (46.2%) and Ponitka (45.5%) also being deadly from three-point territory. 

No team has scored over 75 points against Bahcesehir this season, but Hapoel is definitely a good candidate to do so given its very talented roster. 

Hapoel averages 84.8 points this season, boosting that number to 90.3 points in its four wins until now. It ranks second in assists (20.2 apg.) with a slightly better assist-to-turnover ratio than its opponent, 1.53. It is also fourth in steals at 8.2 per night, with [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) leading the competition at 2.2 per night. 

Hapoel Tel Aviv Top Steals of the 2024-25 Regular Season

Hapoel's steals make the difference

Boxing out should be an issue for Hapoel as it faces the best offensive rebounding team in the competition. Bahcesehir leads the standings at 12.7 offensive boards per night, way ahead of Hapoel, which ranks 17th at just 9.7 per game. This is partly because Hapoel barely misses shots inside the arc, leading the competition with a 62.6% two-point percentage. 

[Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) leads the EuroCup in two-point shots made (6.3 per night) with a really solid percentage (66.7%). With his future and status uncertain, Motley – if available – is set to test his strengths against a top-class defender like [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/). Other players with really high numbers inside the arc are [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marcus-franklee-foster/010386/) (74.1% 2FG), [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/) (68.8%) and [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/) (68.6%), giving Hapoel head coach Stefanos Dedas plenty of scoring options everywhere. 

Hapoel has players that have nor performed to their full potential, such as [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) (8.0 ppg.), [Ish Wainwright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ishmail-carzell-wainright/013284/) (6.5 ppg.) and Ragland (5.7 ppg.), and it only seems a matter of time before all of them step up and make their team an even tougher opponent. There is plenty of room for improvement, and going against the group's leader should be an extra motivation. 

Both teams had impressive performances until now, playing very different basketball brand, and go against each other in this amazing showdown. Expect nothing but a great basketball game on EuroLeague TV from 20:00 CET to find out.

Both teams have started strong in Group A and come into this game in good form

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 7 of the BKT EuroCup, and who might be missing in action.

Round 7: Pre-game quotes and injury reports

## Tuesday, November 5

### Trefl Sopot vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (19:00 CET)

**Tarik Phillip, Trefl Sopot guard**

"They're a very good team, they play hard. They shoot a lot of three-pointers, they get out and they run, and they're athletic. We've got to be on our game for them."

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Joventut Badalona (20:00 CET)

**Andrea Pecchia, Dolomiti Energia Trento guard**

"\[Sunday night's win against Milan\] was beautiful and I have to thank the fans because there was a wonderful atmosphere. A game like that gives you awareness that we are working in a certain way, but we know that we should not feel we have arrived because we beat Milan; the season is still long and we haven't done anything yet. Mentally, we are already thinking about Joventut because we know how important this game will be to try to reach the playoffs. They are a very physical team, but with the help of our fans we know we can do well."

**Dani Miret, Joventut Badalona head coach**

"Trento are the leaders of the Italian League, they just beat Milan by 34 points and that is a reflection of the great level that exists in this EuroCup group. We're playing against teams that are beating EuroLeague teams. They have two Americans with a differential talent, Jordan Fort and Anthony Lamb, who can score, and young players with a special physical level and intensity. We have to play a great game and continue to improve. They play with a defense that is difficult for us to attack and we have to prepare ourselves not to lose fluidity and play the game of rebounding and contact to have a chance of winning. Trento has some peculiarities that will require us to have clairvoyance and find solutions to these traps that await us".

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (20:00 CET)

**Stefanos Dedas, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv head coach** 

"One more tough game in between travels and many games. Regardless of the changes and the upsets, inside the team we are working hard to set new roles and find chemistry at the same moment we need to win. Bahcesehir are a very good team with the same targets as us. Once more our desire must overcome the problems and get out there and fight till the last ball and try to get the win."

**Tomer Ginat, Hapoel Shomo Tel Aviv forward**

"We're coming into tomorrow's game against Bahcesehir after a few important wins that have given us confidence and momentum. The recent period has been challenging for us, but we've managed to come together and play solid basketball through hard work and unity. Tomorrow is another test for us, and we know it won't be easy against a quality team like Bahcesehir. However, we're determined to keep up the momentum, play smart, and give everything we have."

## Wednesday, November 6

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (17:30 CET)

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

"We will play against a team that has talented players. They are having the results they are looking for, but we know how competitive they can be. From our point of view, we want to win and continue playing well in the EuroCup. We hope to return home with a victory. It will not be easy, but we will fight to get a win."

**Karel Guzman, U-BT Cluj-Napoca forward**

"It will be a hard game. Both teams have the same record and it will be a serious fight for the victory. We are motivated. We came to Turkey two days before the game, just to prepare and rest. We are ready to give everything and I hope our fans will support us from home and send us their energy, like always."

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (18:00 CET)

\--

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (18:30 CET)

**Devin Robinson, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana forward**

"We are playing quite well in the EuroCup, at a high level. Every game is exciting because we face different teams from various countries who play at a top level. So far, we are playing well, and we want to keep winning to set a strong foundation for the rest of the season. A battle is ahead of us. We lost our last game in the EuroCup, so we want to get back to winning ways, and we’ll try to give our all and perform at a high level. JL Bourg is a tough opponent, and both teams have the same record of wins and losses. I’m looking forward to the game and hope our fans will join us in the arena."

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

"It is a club with EuroCup experience. Ljubljana is having a good start to the season, they are an aggressive team that likes to set the pace, so this will be another big game in perspective. We move there with determination and the desire to bounce back."

**Kevin Kokila, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse center**

"It’s an important game to get us back into the competition. After two defeats, the team is keen to start a positive dynamic with a victory against a great team. It's going to be complicated, but we're focused and ready to give everything." 

### Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Valencia Basket (19:00 CET)

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

"Our opponent tomorrow is one of the best teams in the competition. This is a team whose roster, staffing, and style of play are very close to the EuroLeague level. They have great depth and experienced players. It’s certainly a big challenge for us, and we already stand to gain a lot regardless of the final result. We’re managing several issues; DeJulius recently left, and we’re dealing with Nolly's injury as well. In any case, as we always do, especially in front of our fans, we need to give 100% and see what we can achieve."

**Nate Laszewski, Aris Midea Thessaloniki center**

"Valencia is a very strong team. We need to stay focused on what we have to do to secure the win. Everyone supported me after my surgery and throughout my recovery. Now, I need to get back on the court, find my rhythm, and build chemistry with the rest of the team."

**Pedro Martinez, Valencia Basket head coach**

"The group is very affected, like everyone else, by what we are seeing. We all have someone close to us who has loved ones going through a hard time these days, so all our solidarity and affection go out to them. Now we have to get back to playing, and of course we would have preferred to do it under different circumstances, but we also believe it can be a good way to bring visibility to the name of Valencia everywhere, and to highlight the huge problem and the enormous work ahead. This won’t be solved in two weeks or a month; it’s going to require a lot of effort from many people. So, if we can help by playing the games we are asked to, to make the great problem we face more visible, and to try to adapt in whatever way we can, like the club is doing, then that’s what we’ll do. It affected us deeply to see, in the first few days, people who were affected and had taken shelter in L'Alqueria, now with soldiers. In some way, we have to try to see what each of us can do from our small space, so that this situation is made visible, and the help reaches where it needs to as soon as possible and in the most effective way."

**Valencia injury report:** Chris Jones (out, hand), Goran Filipovic (out, back), Ethan Happ (out, foot).

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Umana Reyer Venice (19:00 CET)

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

"Venice is an excellent team with many tools. We have a very limited roster, missing Harper, Nimrod Levi, Wiley, and Justin Smith. We'll need to give our best to make the most out of it, like we did last week, and hope for the best."

**Yovel Zoosman, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem forward**

"Everyone needs to do their best. It's no secret that we have a short roster, but that's no excuse. We need to work hard and try to win, doing everything possible under these circumstances. Some players are playing in positions that aren't theirs, but we're adapting to it. The most important thing right now is to keep winning and we want to continue the momentum we've built."

**Injury report, Hapoel:** Jared Harper is unavailable due to an eye injury.

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

"Every game is important. Both teams will be missing key players. It will be challenging because they are a strong team, but we want to go to Samokov with confidence and try to win. We aim to play better than we did in the game against Cluj-Napoca, with more focus and quality. Every victory helps to build confidence and group chemistry. Winning the way we did in Naples means a lot: we came back from 15 points down, just as Cluj-Napoca did to us, which shows we’ve learned a lot recently."

**Rodney McGruder, Umana Reyer Venice guard**

"We’re excited to head to Samokov to compete in an important game. We need to be ready since we're playing away against a strong team. I’m happy for the team that my last shot went in at Naples. We have a good group, and this win gives us even more confidence."

**Injury report, Reyer:** Xavier Munford (out, knee surgery), Tyler Ennis (out, knee sprain).

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. ratiopharm Ulm (19:45 CET)

\--

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (21:00 CET)

**Alessandro Magro, Wolves head coach**

"We are ready for the game. It will be a very long trip to get there, but we are ready to play one of the best teams in the EuroCup. They won the trophy a few seasons ago but decided to stay in the tournament. They have a great coach, great players, and experienced veterans, but we are ready to face it. It's very exciting every time to try to check the level of our preparation and where we are in our journey when we face such a big team like Gran Canaria."

**Vaidas Kariniauskas, Wolves guard**

"We expect a very physical game with a lot of fast offense from the hosts. We’ll need to stop their attacks, play smart on defense, and avoid mistakes on offense as well. It’s also very important to keep their fans quiet because when they get going, it becomes extremely challenging for any team that plays there."

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2024-11-06T20:00:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-11-06T18:45:00.000Z)

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Valencia Basket (2024-11-06T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v Umana Reyer Venice (2024-11-06T18:00:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2024-11-06T17:30:00.000Z)

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2024-11-06T17:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2024-11-06T16:30:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Joventut Badalona (2024-11-05T19:00:00.000Z)

CB Gran Canaria guard Andrew Albicy spoke with Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net to discuss his EuroCup season so far.

Andrew Albicy: 'I want to finish my career at Gran Canaria’

This is a special season for [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/) point guard [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/). 

A BKT EuroCup champion in 2023, Albicy is in his sixth season with the club and getting closer and closer to a couple of EuroCup records. Albicy ranks second all-time in assists (631) and steals (183), behind only Stefan Markovic (698 assists, 214 steals). 

If Albicy plays the way he did in Round 6 against Joventut Badalona, he will not have to wait long to reach the top spot.

Albicy led Gran Canaria to a 76-78 overtime road victory last week with 11 points, 7 assists and 4 steals for a PIR of 22. He has helped Gran Canaria to a strong start, with five wins out of six games in Group A. Albicy is aware and excited about claiming his place in history, as he expressed to Javier Gancedo in this week's EuroCup interview.

"We are showing character and not giving up and I think this is why we are winning these types of games."

**Congratulations on beating Joventut in Badalona. Another overtime win! You've been winning a lot of close games this season. What is the secret?**

"Thanks. I would say it is just the character of the team. I feel like we are not where we want to be, everybody can be better, but we are winning and that is a good thing for the future. When everybody knows more about their role, we will do even better in the competition. But we are showing character and not giving up and I think this is why we are winning these types of games."

**You had 7 assists and 4 steals. You know where this is going, right?**

"Yeah, I know. Go ahead."

**You are second all-time in both steals and assists, behind Stefan Markovic. I know you keep track of that. How much do you want that to happen, to lead one of these all-time standings or both?**

"It is one of my goals this year, for sure. I want to get that first spot because it would be a big achievement and I know that beating me after that will be very hard and it could take a long time, so it would be something amazing. It is something I can tell my kids, too! Steals will be harder, but the assists record, I think I can do it this year."

**We will be watching. You just scored your 1,000th career point. Only 32 players have reached that mark. How does it feel?**

"I really didn't know that because I really never look to score. For me, it is secondary, I prefer to see my teammates score, but it is good. It is very good to know that!"

**Another member of the 1,000-point club is John Shurna. You have played with him for the last six years and won the EuroCup together in 2023. How great has that journey been for you?**

"John is the greatest teammate I ever had. He is a very good person, too. I think we understand basketball the same way, so it is easier to find each other on the court. And as a point guard, it is great for me to play with him. It is perfect to play with guys like John because he's allowed me to get a lot of assists!"

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**The last time we spoke was after the EuroCup Finals in 2023. It's been a year and a half already. Looking back, how much of an achievement was it for you to become a EuroCup champion?**

"It is amazing because it is something every player wants, to have this trophy, especially me or John, for example. We played a lot of years in this competition so, for sure, it was a big goal for me, for my career and especially for the club, because they have always been in a good spot to win it, but they never did before. I have been here for a long time and we made club history, which is something big, especially for me because I want to finish my career here. So it was perfect to make history in this club."

**This is your fifth season with Gran Canaria. That's a lot of traveling around Europe. How do you entertain yourself?**

"Right now, it's sleeping more than anything else, because my daughter was born two months ago, so I am waking up at night all the time. So when I travel, I try to sleep as much as possible to have more energy for the games and also when I come back home. If not, most of the time I am watching TV shows because I love them."

"When we won two years ago, it was because we protected our home court."

**Your next game is at home against Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius, a good team with experienced players. How difficult is it going to be against the Wolves?**

"They are in a really good moment. They just beat two big teams. Like I said, we will try to keep building the team and keep protecting our house. When we won two years ago, it was because we protected our home court, so we will try to do the game this year. That's it, we will play as hard as we usually play at home and get energy from our fans."

**I wanted to ask you about T.J. Shorts, last season's EuroCup MVP, now in the EuroLeague. How is it that he is playing so well and also, how good is it for Paris to have a EuroLeague team this season?**

"It was funny because we were talking about that, small point guards, with a French journalist. We can see a lot of small point guards dominate the EuroLeague: Shane Larkin, T.J. Shorts, Mike James, Sylvain Francisco... All short players who can do so many things on the court, who are so different. People think they have an advantage against them and we step up to show it doesn't make any difference and that we can play well in any team, which is great. Seeing Shorts do so well in the EuroLeague after his great last season with Paris is amazing because he keeps doing the same stuff in the EuroLeague, and we can see how he worked to be in that position. As for Paris, of course, it is also great to have them in the EuroLeague. It is great for French basketball, for the future, to see more young people playing at this level. I am from Paris, so it is amazing for me to see Paris Basketball in the EuroLeague and the way they developed year after year."

Dreamland Gran Canaria playmaker Andrew Albicy ranks second in assists (631) and steals (183), only behind Stefan Markovic (698 assists, 214 steals)

Andrew Albicy: assists and steals specialist

**Other than Gran Canaria, which other teams do you see as top candidates to win the title?**

"For sure, Hapoel Tel Aviv with the roster that they have, and of course Valencia Basket. I think these two teams want to win the EuroCup and have the roster to win it."

**You won the silver medal with France at the Olympic Games in your own city. Can that experience inspire you to have an even better season?**

"Like everybody saw, we started badly in the first round and were criticized a lot by journalists and fans, but we just kept working and stayed together. That was the most important thing: we fought, talked to each other and fought together, this is why we won the silver medal. We always stayed together and everybody worked for the same goal. Now, I hope we don't start the same way, but I hope we can have the same spirit. It is something that I hope we can get and I think we will have it because we could have lost some more games already but stayed together. We talked and were much better than in the previous game and this is something very important: trying to be better and helping each other to be better as a team, too."

The French guard spoke with Euroleague.net's Javier Gancedo about his season so far

The BKT EuroCup Regular Season is rapidly approaching its halfway mark, but there are still some bargains up for grabs in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge.

In this week's article, I will recommend three players under 10.0 credits – one slightly over that mark and one of the best players in the competition. All that should give you an edge in private leagues and make you improve in the overall standings.

Here are my recommendations for Round 7.

Jordan Bayehe, Ante Tomic, Kur Kuath, Alfonso Plummer and Xavier Castaneda are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Round 7

### Ante Tomic, Joventut Badalona (15.2 credits)

[Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) is my superstar choice of the week and my top candidate to amass the highest PIR in this round. First, Joventut is 2-4 and needs to start winning right away. Second, Tomic has been rock solid in the last three games, averaging 15.3 points on 20-of-33 two-pointers, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a PIR of 24.7. What's not to like?

### Kur Kuath, Veolia Towers Hamburg (8.1 credits)

Hambirg recorded its first win and [Kur Kuath](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kur-kuath/013313/) had a starring role, posting 15 points on 6-of-8 two-pointers, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks and a PIR of 27. In the last two games, since he came back from injury, Kuath has averaged 13.5 points on 11-of-15 two-pointers, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and a PIR of 21.5. At this price, he is a must-buy player.

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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBuJtbiubew/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBuJtbiubew/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBuJtbiubew/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by BKT EuroCup (@eurocup)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Alfonso Plummer, ratiopharm Ulm (9.4 credits)

Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue are getting all the attention at Ulm, but [Alfonso Plummer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/plummer-alfonso/012077/) has been playing really well all season long, scoring 12 points or more in each of the five games he has played so far. He did even better in the last two showdowns, averaging 19.5 points on 9-of-19 three-pointers, 2.0 assists and a PIR of 16.0: He’s available for less than 10 credits!

### Xavier Castaneda, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (10.4 credits)

[Xavier Castaneda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xavier-castaneda/013266/) is a good option at a very reasonable price, plus he plays for a great team like Bourg. He has scored in double digits in every game so far and has done really well in recent weeks. In the last three games, Castaneda averages 14.7 points, 4.3 assists and a PIR of 13.3. He is in his first EuroCup season and should do even better from now on.

### Jordan Bayehe, Dolomiti Energia Trento (7.0 credits)

There are not many bargains at center, but [Jordan Bayehe](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-bayehe/006724/) is definitely one of them based on his last two performances. In his last EuroCup game, Bayehe had 6 points, 5 rebounds and a PIR of 11. He did even better in the Italian League, getting 12 points, 9 rebounds and a PIR of 22. Bayehe seems a perfect choice for the backup center role.

Fantasy expert Javier Gancedo offers his selections ahead of the latest round of the EuroCup

Fantasy tips, Round 7: Many budget options

Round 7 of the BKT EuroCup season will deliver a series of big matchups across the continent, culminating with a group leader facing a challenge from a red-hot visitor. Here’s your overview of the action.

At a glance: Things are starting to heat up

Round 7 of the BKT EuroCup season will deliver a series of big matchups across the continent, culminating with a group leader facing a challenge from a red-hot visitor. Here’s your overview of the action.

## Tuesday, November 5

### Trefl Sopot vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (19:00 CET)

The competition’s last remaining winless team, Trefl (0-6), will attempt to get on the board with a visit from the ambitious Besiktas (3-3). The Turkish team needs defensive improvement after allowing 93 points in last week’s loss at Wolves, and will hope that offensive leader Derek Needham continues his return to form after netting 19 points on 5 three-pointers in that game. Trefl is one of the EuroCup’s least efficient three-point shooting teams, making just 31.3% of its attempts from long range, but will hope that free-shooting guard Jakub Schenk maintains his hot hand after going 3 of 5 from beyond the arc last week at Bahcesehir.

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Joventut Badalona (20:00 CET)

Two teams requiring an upturn in form meet as Trento (2-4) hosts Joventut (2-4). The Italian team will look for forward Eigiras Zuskauskas to lead the way after he netted 17 points in last week’s narrow loss to Ulm, which also saw key man Anthony Lamb net 17 to make it five straight games with double digits in scoring. Joventut has now lost three in a row after being edged out by Gran Canaria in overtime, and needs to take better care of the basketball after committing 19 turnovers in that game. Ante Tomic ranks second in the league in PIR (23.8), but the veteran big man needs more consistency around him to reignite Joventut’s campaign.

Round 7 Head-to-Head: Lamb vs. Hanga

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (20:00 CET)

In a key battle at the top of Group A, co-leader Bahcesehir (5-1) will look for a fourth straight win with a visit from third-placed Hapoel Tel Aviv (4-2). Bahcesehir owed its victory over Trefl last week mostly to defense, along with another strong contribution from offensive guard Jaleen Smith, who has scored 20 and 22 points in his last two games. Hapoel also has confidence after a resounding win over Buducnost in Round 6, powered by 30 points from big man Johnathan Motley, whose future at the club has been the subject of speculation. The visiting team can also call upon the scoring of Marcus Foster, who netted 5-of-6 triples last time out.

Round 7 Head-to-Head: Odiase vs. Motley

## Wednesday, November 6

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (17:30 CET)

Two teams tied but heading in different directions meet in Ankara, with Turk Telekom (3-3) desperate to end a three-game losing run while Cluj (3-3) is looking for a fourth straight victory. The Turkish team needs to recover its defensive toughness after allowing 101 and 89 points in the last two games, while Braian Angola has quickly become an offensive star after netting 23 and 21 points in his first two games for the team. Cluj is clicking at both ends of the floor, with its most recent win over Reyer last week propelled by another strong display from in-form Karel Guzman, whose all-round threat typifies the good balance shown by his team.

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (18:00 CET)

Boosted by its first win of the season, Hamburg (1-5) will look to build more momentum as it travels to face a Lietkabelis team (1-4) whose Round 6 meeting with Valencia was postponed. Big man Kur Kuath will look to play another instrumental role for Hamburg after recording 15 points and 9 rebounds to overcome Turk Telekom last week, and this time around he faces a good confrontation with Lietkabelis powerhouse Marko Pecarski, who averages 13 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. But Lietkabelis has the worst offense in the league, averaging just 74.0 points per game, so needs to find more overall rhythm.

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (18:30 CET)

A tie for second place in Group B will be broken as Cedevita (4-2) welcomes Bourg (4-2). Cedevita is looking to bounce back from a poor performance in last week’s home loss to Hapoel Jerusalem, despite young French center Joan Beringer further enhancing his growing reputation with 10 points and 6 rebounds. Bourg also suffered a home loss last week, with 15 points from guard Mehdy Ngouama not enough to prevent defeat against Aris. And after both teams allowed more than 90 points in those respective Round 6 losses, this game could be decided by whoever can most improve its team defense.

Round 7 Head-to-Head: Robinson vs. Nelson

### Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Valencia Basket (19:00 CET)

After sitting out last week following the tragic flooding in its region, Valencia (5-0) will look to maintain its 100% record with a trip to newly confident Aris (2-4). The Greek team prevailed at Bourg last week – ending a two-game losing run – behind another strong shooting performance from free-scoring guard Vassilis Toliopoulos, who averages 4.5 triples over the last four games. But attempting to outgun Valencia is a dangerous game: the Spanish team leads the competition with 99.2 points per game, propelled by impressive young guard Jean Montero averaging 11.5 points and 6.8 points per game.

Round 7 Head-to-Head: Nolley vs.Ojeleye

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Umana Reyer Venice (19:00 CET)

Struggling Reyer (2-4) will be eager to take advantage of its trip to face Hapoel Jerusalem (4-2) to get back on track, with the hosts missing star guard Jared Harper. The runaway league leader in PIR (28.5 per game) and leading marksman (22.0 ppg.). To counter Harper, Reyer will look for inside dominance from big man Mfiondu Kabengele, who averages 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. But the Italian team also needs a more controlled game, after making 19 turnovers during last week’s loss at Cluj.

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. ratiopharm Ulm (19:45 CET)

Buducnost (2-4) will attempt to boost its playoff hopes and end a two-game losing run by overcoming Ulm (4-2), which reignited its campaign with a tough win over Trento in Round 6. A breakout performance from big man Marcio Santos, with 23 points and 11 rebounds, was key to that triumph for the German team, and this week he will have a tough battle with Buducnost center Kenan Kamenjas, who averages 9.5 points and 6.3 boards per game. The home team will be emphasizing improved defense after allowing 92 points in each of its last two games, while Ulm hopes Alfonso Plummer continues his run of scoring in double digits in every game.

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (21:00 CET)

Two form teams collide as Group A co-leader Gran Canaria (5-1) faces a Wolves team looking for a fourth straight victory. Marek Blazevic was key to the Lithuanian team’s latest triumph with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds to help overcome Besiktas, and he faces a big battle in the paint with Gran Canaria veteran Mike Tobey, who also had a double-double last week with 12 points and 10 boards to overcome Joventut. Wolves is the fourth-most accurate two-point shooting team in the league (58.1%), while Gran Canaria is fourth best from long range (38.1%), so the areas for defensive focus are clear.

Round 7 Head-to-Head: Brussino vs. Andrews

There are three games on Tuesday and seven on Wednesday

Several players have started the 2024-25 EuroCup season on fire, including Tre'Shawn Thurman, Semi Ojeleye, and Jordan Ford.

Stats review: Early individual standouts on the offensive end

Through six rounds of the BKT EuroCup, just three players have already amassed 100 points as balance tends to rule the day at this level. Due to the way teams lean on execution to pick opposing defenses apart as they spread the ball around, efficiency is often a good gauge of a player’s individual contributions within their respective roles.

The table above lists the most efficient offensive players in the EuroCup this season in points scored per possession among the 73 players who have used over 10 possessions per game in the early going. What stands out at first glance is how eclectic this group is, including the league’s highest usage player, one of its youngest contributors, and several guards to go along with the big men imposing their will on the interior.

[Tre’Shawn Thurman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tre-shawn-thurman/012577/) had a good year with Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius last season, but he is having a great year so far having got off to a very hot start from the perimeter. After a trio of losses to begin the year, Wolves have rattled off three wins to set up an important test against Dreamland Gran Canaria in Spain. Thurman’s value as a spot-up shooter and a pick-and-pop weapon has been the backbone of his team’s quick offensive turnaround.

[Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) and [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/matthew-costello/010444/) are established veterans whose shooting from the frontcourt spots has helped Valencia Basket put up over 100 points in each of their last four games. Having the luxury of starting one and bringing the other off the bench speaks to the superior depth of Pedro Martinez’s team and makes the Spanish club’s unbeaten start less than surprising.

[Jordan Ford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-ford/013270/) has come off the bench hot for Dolomiti Energia Trento in several games already this season and his ability to stop and pop both from beyond the arc and in midrange spots has made him a headache for opposing defenses in pick and rolls.

[Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mfiondu-tshimanga-kabengele/012796/) of Umana Reyer Venice is a physical presence inside with his strength and length, but his motor has been a factor in his production early on as he ranks second in the EuroCup in dunks while leading all players in both rebounds per game and rebound percentage.

[Marko Pecarski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-pecarski/005656/) emerged as one of the most skilled teenagers in Europe early in his career but is having the best season of his career offensively with 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys, hitting a stride as an inside-outside threat. Finishing cuts and put backs at a spectacular rate but making set shots steadily from beyond the arc as well, his scoring touch has translated in a variety of ways.

Bahcesehir College Istanbul has looked like a potential contender through the early part of the season and the shooting of [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) has played an important role in that. Leading all players in spot-up scoring, Bouteille’s ability to drain open shots is valuable, but the way he can get his shot off quickly over closeouts has been a plus for his team offensively.

[Alfonso Plummer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/plummer-alfonso/012077/) has been a flamethrower since his teens and that has translated both off the catch and off the dribble to start the year with ratiopharm Ulm. While he is aggressive looking for his own shot, his contributions as a secondary ball handler have been a nice complement to what he provides as a spot-up shooter.

[Noa Essengue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/noa-essengue/011391/) is one of two 17-year-olds getting minutes in the EuroCup this season. Ranking second in transition scoring and dunks while ranking fourth in free throw attempts per-40 minutes, he has found ways to be productive and efficient despite only scratching the surface of the player he could become long-term.

[Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) looks like a different player this season for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem while leading the EuroCup in usage. Carrying a reputation as a dangerous scoring guard who can create his own shot and make jumpers with range, the 27-year-old has gotten to the line a staggering 15.6 times per 40 minutes while ranking among the league’s most reliable free-throw shooters. He’s added a significant dimension to his game with his aggressiveness, seeking out contact while still knocking down shots and creating for others steadily.

While 12 games remaining in the regular season, it will be interesting to see which players translate their early success over the rest of the campaign.

Several players have enjoyed a red-hot start to the 2024-25 EuroCup season

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem has signed big man Derek Ogbeide, who began the season with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana.

Jerusalem signs Derek Ogbeide from Cedevita

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem has signed big man [Derek Ogbeide](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/derek-ogbeide/profile/013263/), who began the season with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. Ogbeide (2.06 meters, 27 years old) made five appearances in the EuroCup for Cedevita during which he averaged 4.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 9:37 per game. In Israel, he steps into a frontcourt that has been shorthanded by recent injuries to center Austin Wiley and forward Justin Smith.

Ogbeide spent the previous two season in Italy. He averaged 11.6 points on 63.8% shooting and 8.2 rebounds in 33 Italian league appearances for Pistoia last season. He was second in the league in rebounding and 10th in average PIR (16.2). Ogbeide played for Rimini the season before.

After playing college basketball for the University of Georgia, Ogbeide began his professional career for AEK Larnaca in 2019. In his second season there, Ogbeide led the club to the Cypriot League and Cup double and was selected as league MVP. He later played for Hapoel Eilat in Israel, PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece and Konyaspor in Turkiye.

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"I am excited to join Hapoel," Ogbeide said after signing. "There is an excellent core here that is starting to gain momentum and I am determined to integrate myself into the team quickly to contribute wherever and in whatever the coach asks of me. I bring a lot of athleticism, rebounding, energy and pace to the table every time I step on the floor. I've also heard a lot about our fans and I can't wait to meet them and wear the red jersey for them. Yalla Hapoel!"

More Jerusalem news

The big man made his BKT EuroCup debut this season with the Slovenian side