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

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

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)

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

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

Anthony Cowan Jr. had an integral role in Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius recording its first win of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season, finishing with the highest PIR of any player on a winning team in Round 3 and thus earning himself MVP of the Round honors.

Round 4 MVP: Anthony Cowan Jr., Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius

[Anthony Cowan Jr.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/) had an integral role in Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius recording its first win of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season, finishing with the highest PIR of any player on a winning team in Round 3 and thus earning himself MVP of the Round honors.

In a 63-86 road triumph over Joventut Badalona, Cowan accumulated a PIR of 33. The Wolves guard scored 26 points, going 2 for 2 on two-pointers, 4 for 6 on three-pointers and 10 for 10 on free throws. He also had 4 assists, 3 rebounds and drew 9 fouls. This is Cowan's fourth MVP of the Round honor, having secured this honor three times in the 2022-23 season.

The highest PIR in Round 4 belongs to Jaroslaw Zyskowski of Trefl Sopot, who had a 37 PIR, yet it came in a 92-83 loss at Buducnost VOLI Podgorica. Zyskowski netted 33 points, making 4-of-4 two-pointers, 5-of-6 threes and 10-of-12 free throws, while also pulling own 4 rebounds and drawing 7 fouls. 

Umana Reyer Venice duo [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/) and [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mfiondu-tshimanga-kabengele/012796/) both had a 32 PIR in their team’s 105-83 defeat at Valencia Basket on Thursday night. Wiltjer erupted for a career-best 34 points, as well as posting 4 rebounds and 1 assist, while Kabengele had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. 

Rounding out the list of top performers are [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) of U-BT Cluj Napoca and [David De Julius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/david-de-julius/013250/) of Aris Midea Thessaloniki, with both players having a PIR of 31. Simpson had 28 points along with 8 assists and 2 steals as Cluj thrashed Veolia Towers Hamburg 67-103, while DeJulius scored 30 points on 10-of-14 two-point shooting, in addition to amassing 2 assists and 7 drawn fouls in Aris's 68-78 loss against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem.

Congratulations to Red Legend, our fourth winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Red's team, The Outsiders Vol.3, posted a score of 221.2.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 4 winner

Congratulations to Red Legend, our fourth winner in the 2024-25 [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Red's team, The Outsiders Vol.3, posted a score of 221.2.

The team featured the following lineup: Zavier Simpson of U-BT Cluj-Napoca as team captain, Noa Essengue and his teammate Ben Saraf of ratiopharm Ulm, Ante Tomic of Joventut Badalona and Mfiondu Kabengele of Umana Reyer Venice as the other starters. Jared Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem was his sixth man, while Adam Mokoka of Cluj, Giga Janelidze of Reyer, Maxime Courby of Cosea JL Bourg en Bresse and Axel Bouteille of Bahcesehir College Istanbul made up the rest of the bench. Dejan Radonjic of Bahcesehir was the head coach.

The prize for finishing first in Round 4 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season!

We have a steady leader in the overall standings, too, as Bert Bjelobradic's squad named Rodijaci i Kumovi has a total of 739.00 points after the first four rounds and is ahead everyone else for the second consecutive season. Trades are now open for Round 5. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!

Valencia Basket had an enjoyable Round 4 clash with Reyer Venezia, scoring 105 points and maintaining its unbeaten record.

Balance, pace and threes allowed Valencia to rise past Reyer

Valencia Basket earned [a convincing 105-83 win over the visiting Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-soars-over-reyer-to-remain-unbeaten-105-83/) on Thursday night, which allowed the Spanish side to stay undefeated – together with Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse – atop the Group B standings.

This time, the Spaniards had to deal with the absence of [Stefan Jovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/stefan-jovic/004863/), who was dealing with the unfortunate death of his father. [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/chris-jones/profile/010568/), meanwhile, remains out, so head coach Pedro Martinez was left with the less experienced duo of [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/) and [Goran Filipovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/goran-filipovic/004548/) at the point.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔥 𝙑𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙎 🔥<br><br>¡Nos llevamos una victoria CORAL en la Fonteta en el primer partido de este jueves veneziano! 💪<br><br>Esta es para ti, brate Stefan 🧡<br><br>🟠 <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> 105<br>🔴 <a href="https://twitter.com/REYER1872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@REYER1872</a> 83<br>🏆 J4 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a><br>🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/bthetravelbrand?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bthetravelbrand</a> <br><br>Y ahora... ¡¡a por la segunda!! 🧡 <a href="https://t.co/tQmFv8nZgh">pic.twitter.com/tQmFv8nZgh</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1846987877713944685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It didn’t affect the four-time BKT EuroCup champion, though, as it only trailed once on the night (0-2) and enjoyed double-digit advantages for the last 27 minutes of the game, even reaching a 31-point difference in the fourth period. A 16-2 run early in the second allowed Valencia to escape 40-24 and from then on, the gap did nothing but grow until the end of the contest.

Such a peaceful trip to victory was based on three pillars: balance, pace and three-pointers.

The first one was achieved by a solid scoring night by all of Valencia’s players, as Coach Martinez used 12 in the game and all of them scored. Even [Sergio de Larrea](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/eurocup/players/sergio-de-larrea/010750/), who had just four minutes worth of experience in the competition heading into Round 4, netted 7 points in the first four minutes of the game to start the party before later finishing with 11 after shooting a perfect 5 for 5 from the field.

Pace was another key to Valencia’s victory, as the home team tried to exploit Reyer’s absences by playing high-tempo basketball and taking advantage of its opponent’s mistakes. As such, Valencia got 21 points off Reyer’s turnovers and 18 off fast-break points.

And finally, Valencia continued to shine from beyond the arc, as it did in the last game when it scored 20 to set a new club record and tie the competition’s best mark. This time, Valencia made *just* 11 out of 33 attempts (33.3%), but it was way more than what Reyer achieved from behind the arc (6 of 23, 26.1%).

Game News

Pedro Martinez's side surpassed the 100-point mark for the third straight game, with all 12 players scoring

Valencia Basket v Umana Reyer Venice (2024-10-17T17:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket scored 105 points for the third straight game as it beat Umana Reyer Venice 105-83 in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroCup season.

Valencia soars over Reyer to remain unbeaten, 105-83

Valencia Basket grabbed its fourth win in as many games in the BKT EuroCup after defeating 105-83 Umana Reyer Venice at La Fontenta on Thursday evening. Despite missing Chris Jones and Stefan Jovic at point guard, the hosts managed to take control of the game early in the second quarter and never looked back. Valencia improved to 4-0 as Reyer, which was without injured players Xavier Munford, Tyler Ennis, Jordan Parks and Davide Casarin, dropped to 1-3 after losing three in a row.

Semi Ojeleye paced the winners with 16 points, Matt Costello added 14 in less than 17 minutes and Sergio de Larrea had a perfect shooting night with 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field. Reyer’s Kyle Wiltjer led all scorers with career-high 34 points, while Mfiondu Kabengele posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Carl Wheatle finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds in the losing effort.

Despite Reyer becoming the first team to score through Wiltjer, Valencia didn’t need too long to get things going thanks to an unstoppable De Larrea, who contributed his first 7 points in the EuroCup in the first four minutes of the game. His last bucket also started a 9-0 run, capped by a triple by Josep Puerto that set a 16-7 edge for the home team. The guests didn’t step back, though, and took advantage of a solid rebounding job and free throws to make it 19-17 soon after. Even though Nate Sestina showed up from beyond the arc to extend it to 24-18 entering the last minute, back-to-back buckets by Alessandro Lever allowed Reyer to stay close, 24-22, at the end of the first period.

Valencia regrouped after the break with a strong 7-0 spark behind the first three of Goran Filipovic and a couple of productive actions by Jaime Pradilla. Better rebounding and six points from two plays by Ojeleye made it a double-digit difference, 37-24, for the first time into the game after 14 minutes. Sestina dug it deeper, 40-24, right after the timeout, closing a 16-2 run for his team so far in the quarter. Valencia kept momentum on offense with many other players joining the scoring duties, while Reyer found Wiltjer, who had 9 points in the last five minutes of the period, to avoid a premature sinking. A couple of free throws by the Canadian forward made it 52-38 at the break.

Wiltjer remained the only player able to score for the visitors early in the third period and netted 5 quick points to bring his team within 54-43, but Reyer couldn’t go further as back-to-back triples by Costello and Brancou Badio returned a safe advantage to Valencia, 62-45, in the blink of an eye. Kabengele joined Wiltjer on offense to try to help Reyer get closer, but no one else contributed and Valencia used a couple of strong plays by Nate Reuvers to build a 20-point difference, 71-51, for the first time into the game. Free throws by Pradilla and Puerto established a 77-54 advantage when the third period finished.

With the outcome in no doubt, the difference remained above the 20-point-mark for the remainder of the contest. Kabengele and Ojeleye swapped baskets for a while when the latter increased the gap to 25 points, 87-62, with almost eight minutes remaining. Costello and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui joined forces later to increase it to 90-62, and it got even worse when De Larrea dunked it to make it a game-high 31-points difference, 97-66, with four minutes to go. From then on, the only question to be answered was when and who would score to help the visitors reach the 100-point mark. It ended up being Reuvers, who made it 101-76, before a couple of free throws by Jean Montero and another score by Reuvers saw Valencia score – and finish on – 105 points for the third straight game.

The Spaniards used a strong 16-2 run early in the second quarter to escape

During an exclusive interview with Euroleague.net’s Javier Gancedo, Valencia Basket big man Jaime Pradilla discusses his team's start to the EuroCup season, playing under coach Pedro Martinez, and much more.

Jaime Pradilla: 'La Fonteta will always be very special for Valencia'

Valencia Basket is widely seen as one of the top candidates to win the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup title this season, and one player making a telling contribution for *Las Taronjas* is big man [Jaime Pradilla](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jaime-pradilla/010393/), who is now in his fifth campaign with the team.

The 23-year-old has averaged 8.0 points through Valencia’s first three EuroCup games, but he has also contributed in a number of different ways, tying for fifth place overall in rebounds (9.0 rpg.) and averaging 2.7 assists and 3.0 fouls drawn for a team-high PIR of 17.3.

During an exclusive interview with [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)’s Javier Gancedo, Pradilla reflects on Valencia’s unbeaten start to the campaign, the team’s red-hot offense – it has scored 105 points in each of its last two games – and how he is finding life under head coach Pedro Martinez.

Jaime Pradilla leads Valencia Basket in PIR (17.5) after three games.

Jaime Pradilla, 2024-25 EuroCup highlights

**Hello, Jaime. First of all, congratulations on last week’s win, rallying from a 17-point deficit against a very good team like U-BT Cluj-Napoca. What allowed you guys to bounce back and win the game?**

"Thank you. As you said, Cluj is a team that is doing things right on and off the court. The atmosphere in Cluj surprised me – their fans gave them great support. We were soft at the beginning of the game, a little bit out of focus. We got back into the game with more energy in the second half, trying to grab the victory. Slowly but steadily, we got back into the game and in the end, we ended up getting the win."

**Valencia scored 20 three-pointers, tying an all-time EuroCup record. In which moment did you think something like that could happen?**

"Well, I saw that both teams were hitting a lot of shots without missing much. I had a bigger feeling in the first half because by the start of the fourth quarter, I was fully focused on winning the game, so I didn't have that feeling. In the end, getting a record is very positive, very cool. I am happy that we broke a club record, too."

"It is the kind of court where you always want to play."

**Had anyone told you about the basketball atmosphere in Cluj? Is it also a wake-up call, knowing that on paper, Valencia will be the better team in most games all season long?**

"Yes, we were told that it is very hard to beat Cluj on the road, that the team was doing things really well, but I was surprised with their fan base. They cheered for the team until the very end and it was great to play in an atmosphere like that, it was pretty cool. It is the kind of court where you always want to play. It is great to play in front of atmospheres like this."

**You have had a great start to the season. Is it a logical evolution of your game, with more experience, or did you change anything in preseason?**

"Well, I came back from a summer playing for the national team \[at the 2024 Olympic Games and the pre-Olympic tournament in Valencia\], so I returned to the team with good rhythm and that allowed me to get into the team's dynamics a bit easier. At the end of the day, it is good to change your daily mentality, try to give your best and even when you always try to do it, be steady and keep working, because good things will happen in the end."

**Pedro Martinez is your head coach now. He did a great job with many big men in the past, helping them develop. Do you see this as an opportunity?**

"Yes, definitely. I believe he can help me a lot in my career and am learning a lot from him. He is someone who can help me take a step forward as a player, and I learn a little bit more from him every day. He is a very demanding coach but this is what we are here for, and this is what helps you get better, too."

"It comes down to being the best team at the right time."

**This is your second EuroCup season. You also have three EuroLeague seasons under your belt. What do you like most about the EuroCup?**

"I think it is a competition in which if you do things right, you are rewarded with playing the EuroLeague. In the end, by playing the EuroCup, you get to know a lot of cities. It is a very nice competition, too, with two very difficult groups in which you have to fight to be first, and then be ready to be in your best shape during the knockout rounds. In the end, it comes down to being the best team at the right time and being the best team at home."

**Valencia is a four-time EuroCup champion. It is usually the favorite every time it plays in the competition. Is that an extra responsibility, being the main candidate to win it?**

"Well, I don't think we have to put a stamp on that. We have to keep working every day and keep improving. We also play in a really strong domestic league, really tough, so we have to go little by little and grow as a team. We are a young team. We are also a new team working together, so we have to work on our on-court chemistry and keep growing together, as well as doing so as individual players. Winning the EuroCup could be an option at the end of the season but right now, instead of thinking if we would win it or not, we have to think about the next game and see what the competition dictates."

**Speaking of pressure, how do you manage the pressure and stress of being a professional player? Is mental health something that should be more serious in professional sports?**

"I think it is something that is very important. It sounds like a cliché, but above all we are people first and then players. We have our lives outside the arena, outside basketball courts, and we also have personal problems or family issues. Just as you can have a bad day, we can have it, too, and people should understand that. At the end of the day, being able to manage your euphoria, being up or being down, is difficult. It is something to work on every year, just as you work on your physical skills in the gym, on your shot or your individual skills on the court. You have to work on it – it is very important."

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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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**Are you following the EuroCup? Has anybody surprised you so far?**

"Well, I have been watching games from our group and then those with Spanish teams, especially Gran Canaria, since my friend [Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/carlos-alocen/010623/) plays there. So I have to name a player, that will be Carlos Alocen. I am very happy that he is playing there and doing so well."

**The last question has to do with La Fonteta, your home court, which is in its last year hosting Valencia games. It is also the most historical building in EuroCup history. How great would it be to say goodbye with a title?**

"It would be great, but I have to say that even if we go to a new arena, a new challenge, La Fonteta will always be very special for us, for everyone at the club. Like you said, we played a lot of big games there, won titles and it is always going to be part of our club's history. It is a place that all Valencia fans will always hold close to their hearts. I live close to what will be Roig Arena and see it every day – it will be impressive. We haven't been able to be inside the arena so far this season, but I am sure we will go there soon. It is moving forward very quickly!"

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The Spain international sat down with Euroleague.net's Javier Gancedo ahead of his team's Round 4 clash against Umana Reyer Venice