KK Crvena zvezda has announced the signing of Filip Petrusev on loan from Olympiacos BC, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

Filip Petrusev returns to Crvena Zvezda

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has announced the signing of [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/), who has arrived on loan from fellow Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team Olympiacos Piraeus.

Petrusev (2.11 meters, 24 years old) is back for his second spell with Crvena Zvezda, having starred for the Belgrade club in the 2022-23 campaign. 

So far this season, the Serbian big man has played in all four of Olympiacos' EuroLeague games, coming off the bench to average 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">КК Црвена звезда Меридианбет обавештава јавност да се у клуб у среду вратио наш некадашњи члан и репрезентативац Србије Филип Петрушев! 🔴⚪️<br><br>Filip Petrušev is still a red-and-white, but for the rest of the season in the jersey of Crvena zvezda Meridianbet. Welcome back, Filip!… <a href="https://t.co/6aU92gwiff">pic.twitter.com/6aU92gwiff</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1849038113617715400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Following a stint in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings, Petrusev joined Olympiacos in late November 2023 and made his debut in mid-December that same year. He made 22 appearances last season, posting 6.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in a bench role as the Reds made it to the Final Four.

His real breakout season came at Crvena Zvezda, though, as he averaged 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 34 EuroLeague games. That year, he developed incredibly well and established himself as one of the league's best young players, which resulted in him heading to the NBA.

On the road with BKT: Flip Petrusev, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

Petrusev first put himself on the map with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, where he became a EuroLeague champion in 2022. The 2021-22 season, his first among Europe's elite, saw him post 5.2 points and 1.6 boards per night across 22 appearances. However, as the season went on, his role diminished, leading to him not featuring at the Final Four.

The 2020-21 ABA League MVP with Mega Basket is now heading back home to Belgrade, where he will hope to enjoy a big role at Crvena Zvezda once again. The [injury to Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/joel-bolomboy-hyperextends-knee-avoids-acl-tear/) should mean that Petrusev can come in right away and make a difference.

More Crvena Zvezda News

Imagine stepping into the shoes of a EuroLeague player for a day. Well, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz forward Chima Moneke wants to bring fans as close as he can to the action through his YouTube channel.

Chima Moneke shows fans what a EuroLeague game day entails

Imagine stepping into the shoes of a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague player for a day. Well, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz forward [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) wants to bring fans as close as he can to the action through his YouTube channel.

During [Baskonia’s Round 1 victory over Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/baskonia-grinds-down-partizan-88-82-thanks-to-cohesive-team-effort/), Moneke walks EuroLeague fans through his game-day routine.

1ST GAME OF THE EUROLEAGUE SEASON VS PARTIZAN

Starting with preparing his breakfast at home, the 28-year-old – now in his second season with Baskonia and third EuroLeague campaign overall – then explains his plans for his YouTube channel and previews the Partizan game before getting himself ready and leaving for Buesa Arena.

Once he arrives at Baskonia’s gym, clearly excited ahead of the team’s EuroLeague opener, he goes through his warmup alongside his teammates. Following the team introductions, which sees Moneke get a warm reception from the crowd, he goes on to provide a commentary of how he saw the game while highlights run.

Moneke is your typical EuroLeague player, even accepting that his performance in the first half against Partizan was not up to his usual standard, but he is leading the way when it comes to bridging the gap between players and fans.

Make sure to subscribe to [Moneke’s YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@chimdoggg) in order to watch more of his videos during the EuroLeague season. You can also catch up on the content he has produced in the past, which has featured [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/), [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) and Ergin Ataman, plus many more.

The Baskonia forward published his latest video on YouTube

KK Crvena zvezda has revealed that Joel Bolomboy has hyperextended his knee and avoided an ACL tear.

Joel Bolomboy hyperextends knee, avoids ACL tear

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has confirmed that [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) has avoided a meniscus or ligament injury after suffering an injury during the team's ABA League game at Buducnost VOLI Podgorica on Monday night.

The 30-year-old did, however, hyperextend his right knee and suffer bruising to the bone. As Crvena Zvezda states, Bolomboy will receive conservative therapy and won't have to go under the knife. Crvena Zvezda confirmed to [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) on Wednesday that he will be out for four to six weeks.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sr" dir="ltr">Након извршених прегледа и тестирања, КК Црвена звезда Меридианбет обавештава јавност о стању Џоела Боломбоја након повреде у 5. колу регионалне лиге.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://t.co/9KKmB1DQdh">https://t.co/9KKmB1DQdh</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1848668047189373024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Like many at Crvena Zvezda, Bolomboy had enjoyed a great start to the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, averaging 12.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.0 block and a 16.5 PIR through the first four games. He ranks second overall in rebounds and leads Zvezda in PIR.

Maccabi Tel Aviv BC expects Tamir Blatt to miss the next three weeks due to a hamstring tear.

Tamir Blatt sidelined with hamstring tear

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv guard [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) is expected to be out for the next three weeks after suffering a 'small tear in his hamstring,' the club confirmed on Monday.

With fellow backcourt player [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) also sidelined for another couple of weeks [after breaking his thumb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/maccabi-loses-rokas-jokubaitis-to-a-broken-thumb/), Maccabi head coach Oded Kattash will have to heavily lean on new signing [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/), as well as the experienced [John DiBartolomeo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/john-dibartolomeo/007990/) and 18-year-old prospect [Omer Mayer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-mayer/011433/).

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">עדכון: תמיר בלאט, שנפצע אמש במשחק מול גלבוע/גליל, עבר היום בדיקת MRI. הרכז סובל מקרע קטן בשריר הירך האחורי. צפי היעדרות: כשלושה שבועות <a href="https://t.co/NSdl9cgJlT">pic.twitter.com/NSdl9cgJlT</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1848386173502099890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"Tamir Blatt, who was injured last night in the game against Gilboa/Galil, underwent an MRI today," read Maccabi's statement. "The guard suffered a small tear in the hamstring. Expected absence: about three weeks."

Blatt has enjoyed a red-hot start to the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, earning MVP of the Round honors in Round 1 and coming close to recording a triple-double in Round 4. For the season, he is averaging 12.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and a 19.0 PIR.

More Maccabi News

The club expects him to miss the next three weeks 

The EuroLeague 25 spot featured many of the league's best players and coaches from the last 25 years. Here is the behind-the-scenes video from that shoot.

Behind the scenes of the EuroLeague 25 spot

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans knew that something big was coming for the league's 25th anniversary, and the season spot certainly lived up to expectation.

Many of the EuroLeague's greatest players and coaches embarked upon Istanbul, Turkiye, for the shoot, with [the final result being broadcast in the lead-up to the 2024-25 campaign](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1VufJFLCpA&t=12s) getting underway. At the time of writing, the video has almost half a million views on YouTube.

Obviously, the shoot also had some funny moments involving the key protagonists, so check out the behind-the-scenes video above that was published on the EuroLeague's YouTube channel today.

Everyone had a blast as they came together for the shoot

FC Barcelona has confirmed that guard Nico Laprovittola will undergo surgery after tearing his ACL and injuring the outer meniscus of his right knee.

Nico Laprovittola to undergo knee surgery

FC Barcelona has confirmed that guard [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) will undergo surgery after tearing his ACL and injuring the outer meniscus of his right knee.

Laprovittola's injury occurred during the *Azulgrana*'s Spanish League clash against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on Sunday.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">[𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐄̀𝐃𝐈𝐂]<br><br>Les proves realitzades al jugador 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚́𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐚 confirmen que té una ruptura al lligament encreuat anterior i una lesió del menisc extern del genoll dret.<br><br>El jugador serà intervingut quirúrgicament en els pròxims dies.… <a href="https://t.co/93oZLHt1OU">pic.twitter.com/93oZLHt1OU</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1848334033563930753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Now in his fourth season with Barcelona, the 34-year-old was averaging 10.0 points and 6.2 assists through the first four games of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign.

As Barcelona states, it will provide another update on Laprovittola once he has undergone surgery in the coming days.

Given the nature of his injury, it is expected that the Argentine will be out long term.

More Barcelona News

Nico Laprovittola to undergo knee surgery 

Fantasy expert Javier Gancedo has offered his five recommended picks in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge ahead of Round 5.

Fantasy tips, Round 5: Time to revamp your rosters!

Here comes Round 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, which is a very interesting one in the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/). 

First, all managers have unlimited trades before Round 5, so this is your chance to change your entire roster if needs be. Second, it is a three-turn round, so strategy should be very important, as well as picking players that play on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 

I will recommend one good option for each round, in addition to an underrated star and everyone's new favorite player in the game.

Dovydas Giedraitis, Sterling Brown, Chima Moneke, Theo Maledon and Elie Okobo are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Round 5

### Sterling Brown, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade  (10.0 credits)

[Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/) is my star choice in the only game on Wednesday, Partizan vs. Virtus. He has been really solid in the last three rounds, averaging 18.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and a PIR of 18. He has made 8-of-14 three-pointers over that stretch, too. Partizan head coach Zeljko Obradovic is using him as a shooting guard, and Brown is definitely delivering. At 10.0 credits, he is a steal.

### Theo Maledon, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne  (12.7 credits)

[Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) has been arguably the most pleasant surprise in the competition so far, leading the EuroLeague in PIR at 24.5 per night. The ASVEL guard is also coming off a huge game against Baskonia: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks and 7 fouls drawn for a PIR of 36. He is doing a little bit of everything on the court, which gives him great value in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge.

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBTkNbjNrxc/?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/DBTkNbjNrxc/?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; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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/DBTkNbjNrxc/?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 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@euroleague)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### Chima Moneke, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (16.0 credits)

[Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) is my star of choice on Thursday. Baskonia hosts ALBA, and it is a great opportunity for Moneke to showcase his speed, effectiveness and overall talent. In the last three games, Moneke averages 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and a PIR of 23.7. He is hitting 77.8% of his two-point shots, and 90% of his free-throw attempts. He's in great form right now.

### Dovydas Giedraitis, Zaliris Kaunas (7.3 credits)

Zalgiris comes off a fantastic double-round week with back-to-back victories at Virtus and Milan. [Dovydas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dovydas-giedraitis/007513/) was just extraordinary, hitting 7-of-10 two-pointers and 6-of-7 three-pointers while averaging 18.0 points and a PIR of 21.5. Tyrone Wallace left the team, so that gives Giedraitis an even bigger role on offense. What's not to like?

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBPYYr2sG14/?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/p/DBPYYr2sG14/?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; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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/p/DBPYYr2sG14/?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 BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiriskaunas)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### Elie Okobo, AS Monaco (13.6 credits)

How come no one is talking about [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/)? It looks like Mam Jaiteh and Mike James are getting all the headlines when it comes to Monaco and the Fantasy Challenge, but Okobo has been extraordinary, averaging 16.0 points on great shooting (68.4% 2FG, 56.2% 3FG), 5.0 assists and a PIR of 19.0. His lowest PIR until now is 15.0, and he's only getting better and better! 

Fantasy expert Javier Gancedo is back with his recommended picks for this week

Round 5 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season delivers an exciting slate of games, including a high-flyer facing a major test on the road. This is what to look forward to from Wednesday to Friday.

At a glance: How many surprises will we see this week?

Round 5 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season delivers an exciting slate of games, including a high-flyer facing a major test on the road. This is what to look forward to from Wednesday to Friday.

## Wednesday, October 23

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (20:30 CEST)

The action starts early with one game on Wednesday, with Partizan (2-2) gunning for a third straight victory as it welcomes winless Virtus (0-4). The Serbian team enjoyed a strong night at Maccabi last Thursday behind a great team performance, with nine players sharing 23 assists on just 5 turnovers. [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/) is one of Partizan’s many deep scoring threats (8.5 points per game on 41.7% three-point shooting), while [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) is in even better form with multiple triples in every game. Virtus – which beat Partizan twice last season – can rely on the consistency of [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) (12.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game) but needs to show more hustle after only averaging 4.3 steals so far, the second-lowest in the league.

2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague | R5 Head-to-Head: Brown vs. Clyburn

## Thursday, October 24

### Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (19:00 CEST)

Fresh off the second-biggest comeback win in EuroLeague history, Zalgiris (3-1) returns home with its confidence sky-high ahead of a visit from Maccabi (2-2). The visiting team will be led by new signing [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/), who has averaged 14.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists through his first two appearances. On Thursday he faces a tough defensive task against [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/), who average 15 points and 5.8 assists per night. Another backcourt threat for Zalgiris comes from [Dovydas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dovydas-giedraitis/007513/), who is coming off a career night after draining 21 points to inspire the heroics in Milan. Maccabi will look to control the tempo and establish inside dominance through [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/) (12.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game).

2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague | R5 Head-to-Head: Giedraitis vs. Randolph

### AS Monaco vs. Paris Basketball (19:00 CEST)

A French League derby and meeting of two recent BKT EuroCup champions will see Monaco (3-1) host Paris (1-3). After narrowly losing out in a high-scoring thriller against Bayern last Thursday, Paris will again lean on the offensive fireworks of [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/), who ranks third in scoring (17.8 points per game) and fourth in assists (7.0 per night). Against his talents, Monaco was pleased to see [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) returning to top form with 19 points and 5 assists to spearhead last week’s big win over Virtus, while center [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mam-jaiteh/002581/) has made a strong start to the season with averages of 10.2 points and 6.5 boards. Paris will hope for an improvement from ex-Monaco man [Yakuba Ouattara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yakuba-ouattara/004197/), who has failed to score in three of this season’s four games.

2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague | R5 Head-to-Head: Okobo vs. Hifi

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. ALBA Berlin (20:30 CEST)

Two teams looking to get back on the winning track meet in Vitoria, with Baskonia (2-2) hosting ALBA (1-3). Pablo Laso will be reminding his Baskonia players to compete for 40 minutes after a fourth-quarter collapse led to defeat at ASVEL last week, despite another dominant display from [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) (16 points and 5.8 rebounds per game). ALBA leads the league in rebounding, in large part thanks to [Khalifa Koumadje](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/koumadje-khalifa/010791/) crashing the boards to the tune of 7.8 rebounds per night, so the hosts will hope that [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) (5.3 rebounds per game) can overcome the heel issue that forced him to miss the loss at ASVEL. In the backcourt, ALBA will hope [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matteo-spagnolo/008173/) can stay hot after scoring 16 and 13 points in the last two games.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CEST)

Haunted by memories of last week’s historic late collapse against Zalgiris, struggling Milan (1-3) will look for an instant reaction with a visit from Efes (2-2). The Turkish team has confidence restored – and scoring star [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) back in top form – after Friday’s thrilling comeback win over Olympiacos, and will look to stay strong inside the paint after making a league-best 61.3% of two-point shots so far. [Jordan Nwora](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-nwora/013363/) will need particular attention from Milan after making 9-of-12 two-pointers in the last two games. The Italian team has the league’s worst assists to turnovers ratio (14.8 to 13.5 per game), so needs better ball control from the likes of young guard [Leandro Bolmaro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/leandro-bolmaro/008985/) (2.3 assists and 1.7 turnovers per night).

### Real Madrid vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:45 CEST)

After igniting its campaign with last week’s hard-fought loss against Panathinaikos, Real (2-2) will aim to build more momentum with a visit from Zvezda (3-1). [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) is in electric form with 15.3 points and 8.7 assists per night, and he faces a matchup with another undersized but electrifying guard, [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/), who scored 23 points in last week’s overtime loss to Barcelona. Inside the paint, [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) is as dominant as ever with 10.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, but he will be tested by a very much in-form [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), who averages 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds over the last three games. [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) will also need extra attention from Real, after making 8 of his 13 three-point attempts so far.

## Friday, October 25

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (19:45 CEST)

An electric atmosphere is guaranteed in Istanbul as ambitious Fenerbahce (3-1) seeks to inflict a third straight loss on reigning champ Panathinaikos (2-2). The Turkish team bounced back to winning ways at ALBA last week partly thanks to 4 three-pointers from [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/), who faces a good duel with visiting forward [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) after he also netted a quartet of triples in defeat at Real. In the backcourt, Fenerbahce will look for defensive ace [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) to slow down [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), who has scored at least 16 points in every game this season. The versatility of [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) (15 points, 5 rebounds per game) will also be vital for the Turkish team, which needs to cope with the energy and explosiveness of [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) (15.8 points and 8 boards per night).

2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague | R5 Head-to-Head: Melli vs. Hernangomez

### FC Barcelona vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:30 CEST)

Barcelona (3-1) will look for a fourth straight win to protect – or improve – its position as co-leader with a visit from ASVEL (2-2). The French team is also confident after last week’s stunning fourth quarter fightback to claim victory over Baskonia, and can call upon one of the league’s hottest properties in [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/), who averages 27 PIR in the last three games. Big man [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/) has been equally impressive, claiming three consecutive double-doubles, so Barca will hope that [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) can repeat his strong performance – 19 points and 5 boards – from last week’s overtime victory at Zvezda. Barca lead the league in assists (22.5 per night), while [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) (18.0 points per game) is in red-hot form at the moment, so ASVEL will need to be on its toes.

2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague | R5 Head-to-Head: Punter vs. Maledon

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:45 CEST)

Bayern (2-2) will aim to protect its 100% record at home with a visit from Olympiacos (2-2), which is aiming to bounce back from a tough loss at Efes. Fans at the new SAP Garden will be hoping for a repeat of the entertainment served up in Bayern’s last home game, a 109-107 thriller which saw backcourt stars [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) and [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/) both drain six triples. Both teams have struggled to grab rebounds this season, averaging 28.8 and 30.3 respectively (17th and 16th in the league), so Olympiacos will hope that [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) can rediscover his usual standards after only grabbing 2.0 boards per night so far. The Reds will also look for another strong night from [Shaq McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/), who scored 22 and 17 points in last week’s double slate of games.

There are no more unbeaten teams in the league, while just one side remains winless

FC Bayern Munich v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-10-25T18:45:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-10-25T18:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-10-25T17:45:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-10-24T18:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v ALBA Berlin (2024-10-24T18:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-10-24T18:30:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-10-24T17:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Paris Basketball (2024-10-24T17:00:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-10-23T18:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes talisman Shane Larkin turned in his finest game of the Turkish Airkines EuroLeague season against Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 4 on Friday

Cometh the hour... Cometh Shane Larkin

Heading into Friday’s home meeting with [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/games/oly/?season=2024-25), it’s fair to say that [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/games/ist/) was facing the heat.

The Turkish team had lost last week’s home derby against [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/games/ulk/?season=2024-25) and then suffered another defeat at [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/games/tel/?season=2024-25) in Belgrade to start the two-round week. A third straight loss would have left Coach Tomislav Mijatovic and his players under real pressure.

So when the game started with Olympiacos racing to an 8-23 lead before the end of the first quarter, it looked very much like Efes’s problems were about to get a whole lot deeper.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

Efes superstar [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) came into the action with numbers well below his usual standards, averaging just 9.3 points on 23.5% three-point shooting during the first three games as he continued to recover from an ankle injury that forced him to miss the Olympic Games in the summer.

But on Friday night he was well and truly back to his best, inspiring his team to a thrilling victory with an impressive haul of 24 points on 5-of-7 two-point shooting, 4-of-7 from long-range and adding 4 assists for a PIR of 30.

Best of Shane Larkin in Round 4 vs. Olympiacos

Those heroics started in the second quarter as he netted 14 points – including 12 in just 3 and a half minutes – to all but erase Olympiacos’s double-digit advantage, and continued deep into the game. Indeed, Larkin completed his scoring by hitting the go-ahead basket with a smooth floater inside the final 2 minutes for the last lead change of the night.

After the game, Larkin explained that he was more than ready to take the weight of carrying his team on his shoulders, saying: “I know what this team needs of me. 

“I’ve been here for a while now and whenever we start a game slow like that, I try to take a bit more responsibility, and try to force the issue. It just went for me today. It’s been 20 days since I came back from my ankle injury, and my team’s been pouring confidence into me. Today it paid off.”

Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard Shane Larkin spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 4 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Shane Larkin: 'I try to take a little bit more responsibility'

The star guard also admitted that his teammates were anxious to end their two-game losing streak, and believes those nerves could have contributed to their poor first quarter.

“We started the game a little antsy,” he admitted. “We lost here last week and we lost on the road earlier this week, so we wanted to get a big win at home. We had some jitters early on but we stayed together. Basketball is a game of runs, they made their run and we stayed together, fought hard and got a big win.”

Even with Larkin’s heroics, Efes had to work very hard for the victory and only led for 2 minutes throughout the evening, but the American believes his team got what they deserved for their battling spirit as the game went on.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">🎶 &quot;Ne mutlu bizlere Kaptan Larkin yürür önümüzde!&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZczzXOnTcu">pic.twitter.com/ZczzXOnTcu</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1847372566987755552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We’ve been preaching all off-season that we’ve got to play with aggressiveness, and that’s what we did in the fourth quarter,” he said. “It’s a game for all 40 minutes and we’ve got to continue with the pressure and intensity all four quarters.

“In the fourth quarter, we finally broke them a bit and we were able to get the lead, hold onto it and get a big win.”

A big win… and a big-time performance from Efes’s biggest star.

Game News

The Efes talisman turned in his finest game of the season against Olympiacos on Friday

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-10-18T17:30:00.000Z)