After taking an outstanding win over Barcelona last week, inconsistent EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (10-13) will look to build more momentum against a Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (14-9) team which has won four in a row in Athens.

Milan aims to puncture Panathinaikos's home streak

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/215/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs24-game-facts-pan-mil/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs24-game-notes-pan-mil/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs24-prequotes-pan-mil/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-24/)

The Greens grabbed a road win, 68-76, when the teams met a month ago, paced by 17 points from [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), who has averaged 17.3 points in the last four games. Milan's triumph over Barca last week was led by 23 points from the irrepressible [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/), while recent signing [Rodney McGruder](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodney-mcgruder/012800/) also made a solid contribution with 11 points in just his second game for the team, and he'll look to continue that form to add greater depth to a backcourt which has often misfired this season.

[Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/statistics/pan/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Milan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/statistics/mil/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Konstantinos Mitoglou vs. Nicolo Melli: Two of the hottest power forwards in the EuroLeague butt heads on Wednesday.

The Greens showcased their options within Ergin Ataman's squad as six different players scored in double digits in a remarkable gain versus Monaco. They visit Milan, who boast Diego Flaccadori in the best form of his career, following a personal-bests in remarkable displays against Barcelona and ASVEL.

Last Game: 2023-24, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens - Round 16

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-01-31T19:15:00.000Z)

Check out my latest recommendations in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge.

Fantasy tips, Rounds 24-25: Options at all prices

Here comes another double-round week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. The closer we get to the play-in, the more important double-round weeks become as we head towards the home stretch of this exciting 2023-24 season. 

The same can be said about the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home), as managers have less time to think things through. I have some recommendations across different price ranges to help you in your private leagues and in the overall standings in Rounds 24 and 25.

[Johnathan Motley, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (12.5 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/)

Due to Fenerbahce's current injury circumstances, Motley has been seeing a lot of extra playing time at power forward. In Round 23 against Virtus Segafredo Bologna, Motley had 23 points on 9-of-12 two-pointers, 11 rebounds, 7 fouls drawn and a PIR of 29 in over 28 minutes. Expect Motley to keep his momentum going in this double-round week.

[Keenan Evans, Zalgiris Kaunas (15.8 credits)  ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/)

Evans has been rock-solid in the two last months, getting a PIR of 13 or higher in each of his last 10 games. In that stretch, Evans had a PIR higher than 20 six times, peaking at 38 against Partizan Mozzart Bet BElgrade. Moreover, Zalgiris plays twice at home this week, allowing Evans to feel even more comfortable. What's not to like?

Johnathan Motley, Keenan Evans, Lorenzo Brown, Luka Sikma and Mbaye Ndiaye are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Rounds 24-25

[Luke Sikma, Olympiacos Piraeus (7.7 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luke-sikma/006589/)

With Moustapha Fall and Nikola Milutinov sidelined, Sikma is seeing more playing time as a small-ball center, a role he mastered at ALBA for several seasons. In Round 23 against Real Madrid, Sikma had season highs of 10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a PIR of 17 in 24 minutes of action. This week, Sikma is likely to see extended playing time once again.

[Mbaye Ndiaye, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (5.8 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mbaye-ndiaye/012731/)

ASVEL has been playing better of late and is coming off a road victory against FC Bayern Munich. Ndiaye played a big role in that win as he came off the bench and posted 6 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks and a PIR of 22. He followed that up with a solid performance in the French League with 10 points and a PIR of 14. He’s available for less than 6.0 credits, so I think he’s a good option at this price. 

[Lorenzo Brown, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (12.7 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/)

Brown had a really good performance in a winning effort against a red-hot Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens last week. He finished the game with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists and a PIR of 19. Brown already played well against Real, its Round 24 opponent, earlier in the campaign, getting 16 points, 9 rebounds and a PIR of 24. You know what you’re getting with Brown, and I recommend him to all EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge managers.

A big battle for second place will be held between the two teams currently tied for that position, FC Barcelona (15-8) and Virtus Segafredo Bologna (15-8).

Barca, Virtus to tussle over second place

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/214/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs24-game-facts-bar-vir/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs24-game-notes-bar-vir/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs24-prequotes-bar-vir/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-24/)

Both are looking to bounce back from road losses after Barca was beaten in Milan while Virtus was downed by Fenerbahce. The Italian team took the win, 80-75, when they met in Round 12 as [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/) stepped up late with 24 points. Virtus also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds that day, with 4 from [Jordan Mickey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-mickey/008847/), so the hosts will look for [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/), who continued his superb season with 28 points in Milan last week, and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) to protect their backboard more effectively. [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) will be desperate to bounce back after scoring 0 points in Milan, and he faces a shootout with Virtus’s long-range specialist [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/).

[Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Virtus Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/statistics/vir/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Nicolas Laprovittola vs. Marco Belinelli: Two seasoned sharpshooters hope to give their teams the edge in a crucial game on Wednesday.

Virtus has won five straight at home and strive to maintain that same smooth offensive fludity, which has yielded 19.8 assists per game, while Barça are set to unleash the flourishing Nico Laprovittola, whose firepower was on show against ASVEL as he downed a career-high 8 triples on 10 attempts.

Last Game: 2023-24, Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. FC Barcelona - Round 12

FC Barcelona v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-01-31T19:30:00.000Z)

The penultimate double-round week of the season promises to make a big difference in the race for the playoffs. Here's what we can look forward to in Round 24 on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

This week: The playoff race heats up with some colossal battles

### Tuesday, January 30

[FC Bayern Munich vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/209/)

Struggling Bayern (9-14) will look to push closer to the top ten with a visit from Baskonia (12-11), which dropped out of the playoff places after scoring a season-low 62 points in a home loss to Valencia last week. Bayern took a 68-76 victory when the teams met in Vitoria in October, helped by 14 points from [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) and a defense that held Baskonia sharpshooter [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) to 4 points. Howard also had a difficult game last week, making just 3 of his 14 field goal attempts, so he’ll be looking to get back to get back on track in Round 24, having averaged 18.6 points per game this season. Three of the league’s top five rebounders meet in the paint as [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) (6.8 rebounds per game) confronts [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) (7.3 rpg) and [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) (7.2 rpg). 

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/210/)

Boosted by last week’s impressive victory over Bayern, ASVEL (5-18) will look to keep on moving in the right direction with a tough visit from playoff-chasing Fenerbahce (14-9). Strong rebounding was key for ASVEL in its triumph last week with [Youssoupha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/youssoupha-fall/006568/) grabbing 13 boards and [Mbaye Ndiaye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mbaye-ndiaye/012731/) 11, and they will look to prevent Fener big man [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) from repeating his dominant performance – 23 points and 11 rebounds – in last week’s win over Virtus. Both teams were under the command of different coaches when they met in Round 4, as Fenerbahce defeated ASVEL 101-86 behind 18 points from [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) and 9 assists from [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/). The Turkish team has the third-best three-point conversion rate in the league, 38.1%, while ASVEL ranks last in that category (33.2%). 

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Valencia Basket ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-valencia-basket/E2023/208/)

Inconsistent Zvezda (9-14) will hope for home comforts as it welcomes a Valencia team (12-11) chasing a third consecutive victory. Zvezda will look for recent signing [Javonte Smart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/javonte-smart/012801/) to continue his strong start after scoring 11 and 14 points in his first two games, while Valencia’s new backcourt arrival [Kevin Pangos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-pangos/006433/) has been slower to settle with an average of just 1.7 points over his three appearances. December’s meeting between the teams was an exciting back-and-forth affair eventually taken by Valencia, 85-81, powered by 21 points from [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/), who was also instrumental in last week’s win at Baskonia. The task of containing him will fall to [Luka Mitrovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-mitrovic/002553/) and [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), with the former looking to bounce back after recording 0 points or rebounds in last week’s loss at ALBA.

Valencia find themselves listed as the the lowest scorers in the competition with just 73.9 ppg, while also laboured with the worst two-point conversion rate. They welcome a Zvezda outfit boosted by an excellent success over Efes, when Yago Dos Santos underlined his growing status in a season high display.

Valencia Basket-Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | Round 12 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

[Olympiacos Piraeus vs. ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-alba-berlin/E2023/211/)

Olympiacos (12-11) will attempt to strengthen its position in the playoff chances with a visit from an increasingly dangerous ALBA (5-18), which has won two of its last three games. The German team suffered a heavy defeat, 67-94, when the teams met in Round 17, with the Reds inspired by 23 points from [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) on 9-of-11 field goal shooting plus 9 assists from [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/). ALBA’s victory last week over Zvezda came via a season-high 19 points from [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/), while [Yanni Wetzell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yanni-wetzell/011934/) also maintained his good form with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Olympiacos has lost three of its last four games, all on the road, and needs to keep Peace and Friendship Stadium a fortress after winning its last three in Piraeus.

[Real Madrid vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/212/)

League-leader Real (20-3) will look to take another step towards home-court advantage in the playoffs by welcoming an unpredictable Maccabi (13-10) in Round 24. The Israeli team has lost three straight on the road but showed its potential in last week’s thumping win over Panathinaikos, inspired by 22 points and 8 assists from [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), whose backcourt battle with [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) will be crucial. [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) also had another big game with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and he will look to profit from the absence of [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) to dominate the paint. Real’s offense was again led by [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) in last week’s victory over Olympiacos, as he has now reached double digits in points in seven consecutive games.

In a rescheduled fixture, reigning champ Los Blancos are sitting pretty with a two-game lead at the top of the standings and strive to withhold their unbeaten status, whereas Maccabi are coming-off a narrow and unfortunate home loss to Barcelona and are fighting to return to the all-important top six.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Real Madrid | Round 6 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Wednesday, January 31

[Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/216/)

Two teams looking to ignite their fading playoff ambitions meet as Zalgiris (8-15) welcomes Efes (9-14). The Turkish team won November’s meeting 86-82 with the help of 20 points and 7 rebounds from [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/), whose recent return to fitness provides a big boost to Erden Can’s roster. Zalgiris was paced in that contest by 20 points from usual suspect [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/), and his ability to control [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/)’s scoring power will be just as important as his own scoring exploits after netting at least 21 points in four of the last five games. In the paint, [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/) is becoming more influential under new coach Andrea Trinchieri and will look to win his battle with Efes big men [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) and [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/).

[AS Monaco vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/213/)

In an all-Obradovic coaching battle, Monaco (13-10) will look to maintain its hot streak with a visit from direct rival Partizan (12-11). Monaco, which has won two straight, needs a victory of 5 points or more to claim the head-to-head advantage after Partizan took their first meeting 89-85. That game featured 25 points from [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) and 7 assists from [P.J. Dozier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/), who underlined his growing role in Partizan’s backcourt by netting 23 points on 10-of-12 field goal shooting in last week’s win over Zalgiris. Monaco’s narrow win at Efes last week proved there’s more to the backcourt than just league-leading scorer [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), as [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) (16 points) and [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) (14) both stepped up.

Partizan’s prolific offense ranks second in the league with 87.5 ppg, and Zeljko Obradovic’s men long for the same explosiveness versus a Roca team with eyes on a third straight win and armed with the talismanic Mike James, who leads the rankings in scoring (18.8 ppg) and ranks third in PIR.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-AS Monaco | Round 12 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/215/)

After taking an outstanding win over Barcelona last week, inconsistent Milan (10-13) will look to build more momentum against a Panathinaikos (14-9) team which has won four in a row in Athens. The Greens grabbed a road win, 68-76, when the teams met a month ago, paced by 17 points from [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), who has averaged 17.3 points in the last four games. Milan's triumph over Barca last week was led by 23 points from the irrepressible [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/), while recent signing [Rodney McGruder](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodney-mcgruder/012800/) also made a solid contribution with 11 points in just his second game for the team, and he'll look to continue that form to add greater depth to a backcourt which has often misfired this season.

[FC Barcelona vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/214/)

A big battle for second place will be held between the two teams currently tied for that position, Barcelona (15-8) and Virtus (15-8). Both are looking to bounce back from road losses after Barca was beaten in Milan while Virtus was downed by Fenerbahce. The Italian team took the win, 80-75, when they met in Round 12 as [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/) stepped up late with 24 points. Virtus also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds that day, with 4 from [Jordan Mickey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-mickey/008847/), so the hosts will look for [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/), who continued his superb season with 28 points in Milan last week, and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) to protect their backboard more effectively. [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) will be desperate to bounce back after scoring 0 points in Milan, and he faces a shootout with Virtus’s long-range specialist [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/).

Zalgiris Kaunas v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-01-31T18:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2024-01-31T18:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-01-30T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-01-30T19:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v ALBA Berlin (2024-01-30T19:15:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-01-30T19:00:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Valencia Basket (2024-01-30T19:00:00.000Z)

Crossing oceans to pursue their hoop dreams, young pros face challenges that go far beyond playing well under the glare of arena lights.

Watch the "Overseas" docu-series free on EuroLeague TV!

#### All four episodes available now to users with EL ID accounts

The new Euroleague Basketball Originals documentary "Overseas" shows how superstars usually seen running and dunking on TV balance the demands of elite sport with their new off-court lives in cultures vastly different from their own.

Four intimate episodes crisscross two continents in iconic settings like Athens, Monaco and Milan but also take you into the homes and daily routines of three Turkish Airlines EuroLeague superstars.

All four episodes are available exclusively as of Monday, January 29 [to all EL ID users through EuroLeague TV](https://tv.euroleague.net/).

Get to know [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kyle-hines/002812/), [Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/) and [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/) – and their families at home and abroad – as they tell a rich and personal story of how starting careers and families in foreign lands has brought out the best in them, even if their stardom may not translate back home.

"Many people will call me the king of EuroLeague because I've won the most titles, you know, in the new era," says Hines, a four-time EuroLeague champion. "But back home, nobody knows me. They just know that I play basketball. So here I am, Kyle Hines, the unknown king."

Crossing oceans to pursue their hoop dreams, young pros face challenges that go far beyond playing well under the glare of arena lights. This shows how superstars usually seen running and dunking on TV balance the demands of elite sport with their new off-court lives in cultures vastly different from their own.

Overseas | Trailer

At ages when their peers are often seeking anchors and stability, they must thrive on nomadic living and performance pressure at the same time that they cope with the fact of being far away from loved ones.

"When my mom had breast cancer, you know, I wasn't able to be there. When my sister was fighting lupus, I wasn't able to be there," Shaquielle McKissic of Olympiacos Piraeus says. "When you're a professional basketball player and you have to go to Europe or leave the country, these are a lot of things that you deal with, but I'm for sure blessed."

Sometimes it all comes together beautifully, as it did for Motiejunas, whose career took him his native Lithuania to Poland, the United States and China before he recently returned to Europe. When the team that brought him back, AS Monaco, made last season's Final Four, it meant a full-circle moment as he made a unique and special return to his hometown of Kaunas.

"During the Final Four, we were driving those streets. I was telling everyone, 'Hey, this is where I was born. This is the street I was going down every day to school,'" Motiejunas recalls. "To drive by those streets, to realize that, hey, we're playing the Final Four in my hometown, where I actually grew up, where I walked all these streets... It's just like an amazing feeling."

Their basketball talent and devotion is admirable in itself, but there is a lot more to be learned from these basketball believers who found a unique calling when they followed their passions "Overseas".

The Euroleague Basketball Originals documentary series captures the intimacy behind the EuroLeague spotlights and provides full access to the protagonists and the people who know them best.

[Watch now on EuroLeague TV.](https://tv.euroleague.net/)

**CAREER MEMORIES**: In case you missed it, check out Kyle Hines taking a trip down memory lane.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Amazing memories!!! <a href="https://t.co/3jEk4qAxbK">https://t.co/3jEk4qAxbK</a></p>&mdash; Kyle Hines (@SirHines) <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines/status/1749708121717543119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**SOCIAL MEDIA FUN**: Nigel Hayes-Davis is having fun on Instagram and his posts feature his teammates. He is definitely worth a follow. This time, it is Scottie Wilbekin in the lead role.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ipzOotwdA/?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/C2ipzOotwdA/?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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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ipzOotwdA/?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 Nigel Hayes-Davis (@nigel_hayes)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**EUROLEAGUE CONVO**: We asked and Mike James was happy to engage in a discussion.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Depends on the situation. Post up, PNR, isolation, weak side. Are we switching? Hedging? Going under? Who they guarding? It’s a lot of factors going into this. <a href="https://t.co/4bFEuQnv1O">https://t.co/4bFEuQnv1O</a></p>&mdash; Mike James (@TheNatural_05) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05/status/1749865441705505235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That means it’s a double coming, ok. Probably grant or Hackett. Taller and position the body well. Facu move his feet the best but if it’s a double since he’s shorter it’s easier to pass. Walkup the best out of everybody navigating screens.</p>&mdash; Mike James (@TheNatural_05) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05/status/1749869160400666717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**ALWAYS LEARNING**: While visiting Belgrade, Coach Sergio Scariolo spent time with another coaching great, Zeljko Obradovic, at Partizan practices.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Learning from the best… <a href="https://t.co/yJRKN73GrX">pic.twitter.com/yJRKN73GrX</a></p>&mdash; Sergio Scariolo (@sergioscariolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/sergioscariolo/status/1750149620716425269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**MEET & GREET ALL AROUND**: The turnout for a meet and greet session with James Nunnally on a rainy day in Belgrade was insane. And videos are evidence of how pure the emotion from Partizan fans was. Meanwhile, Olympiacos fans waited in line to take photos with Coach Bartzokas and the players at the airport.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Much love to everyone who came today I enjoyed meeting you all🖤🤍 <a href="https://t.co/arDsvweErZ">https://t.co/arDsvweErZ</a></p>&mdash; James Nunnally (@allornunn21) <a href="https://twitter.com/allornunn21/status/1750267302359056813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🖤🤍!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://t.co/8JRYijxIZv">pic.twitter.com/8JRYijxIZv</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1750434775561650389?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">Diumenge tornem al Palau... us esperem, família! 🫶<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/2SO0RA11Sg">https://t.co/2SO0RA11Sg</a> <a href="https://t.co/7XNf0xaeKx">pic.twitter.com/7XNf0xaeKx</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1750527694402412921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">🤳 <a href="https://twitter.com/NouAmine_12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NouAmine_12</a>, imzaları ve selfieleri dağıttıktan sonra ısınmak için parkede 🏀<a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBBasketbol</a> 🟡🔵 <a href="https://t.co/dg9pBlzVhz">pic.twitter.com/dg9pBlzVhz</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Türkiye (@EuroLeagueTUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeagueTUR/status/1750555178963452064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">📺🗣️ Οι δηλώσεις των Γ. Μπαρτζώκα και Λουκ Σίκμα για την εκτός έδρας αναμέτρηση με την Ρεάλ<br>Μ. (25/01, 21:45), στο πλαίσιο της 23ης αγωνιστικής της Ευρωλιγκας. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/KNC8vq1rtE">https://t.co/KNC8vq1rtE</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ek1XFi8bWX">pic.twitter.com/Ek1XFi8bWX</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1750157775852671160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/tr2Lnwpeg5">pic.twitter.com/tr2Lnwpeg5</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1749752992000053625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**ONE TEAM FUN**: Daniel Hackett and Awudu Abass had fun at Virtus's One Team session ahead of One Team week.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">I valori di unità e di rispetto, grazie all’importanza del lavoro di squadra e la comunicazione tra i partecipanti nella seconda sessione del <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> 🗣<br><br>Leggi qui ➡ <a href="https://t.co/5N9xEDyW0T">https://t.co/5N9xEDyW0T</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/Iqb7EPIYgu">pic.twitter.com/Iqb7EPIYgu</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1750111228947550267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**HEY, JUDE**: One of the world's top soccer players, Jude Bellingham, had a front-row seat for a rematch of the 2023 championship game between Real Madrid and Olympiacos Piraeus.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks for having me again <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a>! 🤍 <a href="https://t.co/vOzwq6UaDy">https://t.co/vOzwq6UaDy</a></p>&mdash; Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) <a href="https://twitter.com/BellinghamJude/status/1750670250905862365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**FRIENDSHIPS and RESPECT**: Fenerbahce players enjoyed welcoming Achille Polonara to Istanbul ahead of their game against Virtus. EuroLeague greats Shane Larkin and Mike James shared a moment before squaring off on Friday night.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome back to the <a href="https://twitter.com/UlkerSportArena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UlkerSportArena</a>, Achi! 💛💙<a href="https://twitter.com/ilpupazzo33?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ilpupazzo33</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/x01rNOOyv7">pic.twitter.com/x01rNOOyv7</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1750450075606700155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The mutual respect between two of the BEST is real 🫡 🔥 <br><br>Who else is enjoying this showdown already? <a href="https://t.co/Ul7VjMWCQQ">pic.twitter.com/Ul7VjMWCQQ</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1750940051054211475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**LANGFORD HONORED**: Keith Langford was inducted into Olimpia Milan's Hall of Fame. Ahead of this event, Langford gave a [great interview ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/keith-langford-people-hate-when-you-shoot-but-they-love-when-you-score/)to EuroLeague.net's Javier Gancedo.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The big homie getting his well earned respect. 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 <a href="https://t.co/5j3e3L0UPf">https://t.co/5j3e3L0UPf</a></p>&mdash; Mike James (@TheNatural_05) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05/status/1751004293354684740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A friend has come back to visit us 🫂❤️<br><br>⚪️🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olimpiamilano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olimpiamilano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/9lwfkWT6fK">pic.twitter.com/9lwfkWT6fK</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1750528646987890749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**GOOD MOOD**: Real Madrid stars Sergio Llull, Walter Tavares and Guerschon Yabusele missed their team's battle against Olympiacos, but had good time on the sidelines.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Apoyando al equipo en una gran victoria en casa! 💪🏽<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> <a href="https://t.co/al6sfJv3Ng">pic.twitter.com/al6sfJv3Ng</a></p>&mdash; Sergio Llull (@23Llull) <a href="https://twitter.com/23Llull/status/1750637691484418237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

**WINNERS' CIRCLE**: Real Madrid is closing in on clinching one of top 10 spots in the standings, which would guarantee it at least a place in a play-in showdown. ASVEL and ALBA pulled out upsets, while Monaco held on for an important win in Istanbul.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Important win tonight 🔥🔥🔥 <br>Feeling good to be back in <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <br>Great atmosphere too ! We just have the best fans 🙏🏽 I really appreciate the welcoming <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBBasketbol</a> <br>On to the next one 💛💙 <a href="https://t.co/msC5OSxnOf">https://t.co/msC5OSxnOf</a></p>&mdash; Amine Noua (@NouAmine_12) <a href="https://twitter.com/NouAmine_12/status/1750647064319676795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Virtus Segafredo Bologna galibiyetimizin &#39;HERO&#39; anı! 🦸<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimKahraman%C4%B1m?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimKahramanım</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MyHero?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MyHero</a> <a href="https://t.co/VCti2PenUq">pic.twitter.com/VCti2PenUq</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1751187338753917076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TOGETHER 💪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/F1j79lSaOX">pic.twitter.com/F1j79lSaOX</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1750637610253361182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ijHUxqh9C/?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/C2ijHUxqh9C/?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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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">👊 𝕱𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖑 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖊𝖓𝖉 😤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/K7oXPdjPbV">pic.twitter.com/K7oXPdjPbV</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1751153538426626315?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And One. DH22<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/6wAt8nK6bp">pic.twitter.com/6wAt8nK6bp</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1751175716857651604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


It was an especially fun week for EuroLeague fans, especially because many around the continent had the chance to meet their favorite stars. Here's our selection of social media posts from around the EuroLeague.

EuroLeague on social media

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Khalifa Koumadje of ALBA Berlin dunks against Crvena Zvezda.

Jared Harper of Valencia reigns in a loose ball in front of Baskonia's newest signing Jordan Theodore. 

Alpha Diallo of Monaco passes the ball behind Efes's Elijah Bryant. 

Paris Lee of ASVEL and Bayern's Valdimir Lucic chase down a loose ball. 

Amine Noua dunks against Virtus in his Fenerbahce debut. 

Ignas Brazdeikis of Olympiacos takes the ball to the basket against Real Madrid's Dzanan Musa. 

Shane Larkin of Efes drives past Monaco's Mike James in their showdown on Friday.

Kyle HInes of Milan denies Barcelona's Oscar da Silva. 

Jerian Grant of Panathinaikos dribbles past Maccabi's Lorenzo Brown. 

Laurynas Birutis of Zalgiris grabs the rebound in front of Partizan's Bruno Caboclo. 

Look back at all the action from Round 23 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

The Top 10 photos of the week, Round 23

### Jackson turned back the clock

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne went into its game at FC Bayern Munich depleted, but that did not stop it from registering a [64-76](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/200/) win. ASVEL had a slow start, but veteran guard [Edwin Jackson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edwin-jackson/000229/) got the team going before taking control of the game in the second quarter. Jackson scored 10 of ASVEL’s first 12 points in the contest and he had 12 of his total tally of 13 before halftime. It was only the second time this season that Jackson scored in double figures, and it was also the most points Jackson had scored in a EuroLeague game since March 2019, which was 39 appearances ago. The 34-year-old veteran played a career-high 33 minutes and 42 seconds and made 3-of-5 two-pointers and 2-of-2 threes as ASVEL notched its fifth win of the season.

ASVEL had a slow start, but veteran guard Edwin Jackson got ASVEL going, scoring 12 of his total tally of 13 points before halftime in a 64-76 win over FC Bayern Munich.

Edwin Jackson turned back the clock

### Nebo gave Maccabi balance in the paint

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv needed to get out of its recent funk and it did just that by beating Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens [90-75](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/202/) on Thursday. [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/) was the one who set the tone for Maccabi with his energy from the opening tip, while his activity on the glass did not allow Maccabi to fall too far behind in the first half. Panathinaikos dominated on the boards and outrebounded Maccabi 20-11 on the offensive glass, but it was Nebo who was keeping any sort of balance in the rebounding category. Nebo tied his season high with 12 rebounds and had his second double-double of the campaign by finishing with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He also delivered 2 blocks and with him on the floor Maccabi was a stunning +30, which was the highest +/- of any player in Round 23.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv needed to get out of its recent funk and it did just that by beating Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 90-75 on Thursday. Josh Nebo was the one who set the tone for Maccabi with his energy from the opening tip.

Josh Nebo gave Maccabi balance in the paint

### A career game for Kalaitzakis

In that same game, Panathinaikos guard [Panagiotis Kalaitzakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/panagiotis-kalaitzakis/011209/) had a career night. The 25-year-old, in his second season in the competition, had never scored more than 8 points in a single game, while he had scored 13 points in the entire season coming into Round 23. But against Maccabi, Kalaitzakis had 17 points, making 3-of-5 two-pointers and 3-of-6 threes, while also pulling down 3 rebounds, including a pair on the offensive glass. Kalaitzakis was scoreless in the first half, when he played just 4 minutes, but once he entered the game with 5:45 left in the third quarter, he never left the floor again. He scored 7 points in the last 3 minutes of the third quarter, then had 10 consecutive points in the fourth, single-handedly keeping Panathinaikos in range before Maccabi finally pulled away.

Panathinaikos guard Panagiotis Kalaitzakis had a career night against Maccabi. Kalaitzakis had 17 points, making 3-of-5 two-pointers and 3-of-6 threes.

A career game for Panagiotis Kalaitzakis

### Motley haunted Virtus once again

There’s something about facing Virtus Segafredo Bologna that brings out the best in [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/). On Thursday night, in an [88-75](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/201/) win, the Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul center finished with 23 points against the Italian side which is just the second time this season he has gone above the 20-point barrier. The previous time? When Fenerbahce faced Virtus in Bologna, when he netted 25. Last season, Motley had 26 points at Virtus Segafredo Arena, too. In Fenerbahce’s Round 23 contest this year, 14 of his 23 points came in the first quarter and he went into the halftime break with 19 to his name. Motley certainly brings his A-game whenever he comes up against the 2021-22 BKT EuroCup champion.

Johnathan Motley had 23 points in Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's win against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Motley scored 23 vs. Virtus

### Vesely’s huge night for Barcelona

FC Barcelona ended up falling [74-70](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-fc-barcelona/E2023/205/) at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 23, but [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) almost inspired an incredible come-from-behind victory. The Czech big man has been back to his best this season and at the Forum he ended up scoring 28 points, which is most in a Barca jersey. That is the third-highest tally of Vesely’s 336-game EuroLeague career, having had 32 and 31 points for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, while it also beats the 27 points he scored – the fourth-best mark of his career – in *El Clásico* earlier this season. Vesely had 11 of Barca’s 28 points in the first half against Milan, with the *Blaugrana* down 47-28, but he netted 17 after the interval to inspire a comeback that almost came off. He was a +13 in the +/- column, too, which shows just how important he was in Barca’s efforts.

Jan Vesely had 28 points, his most in an FC Barcelona jersey, as his team came up short at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Vesely's baskets vs. Milan

In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague roll call, we take a look at five players who had a big impact on their respective games in Round 22.

Round 23 roll call: Impact performances, win or lose

Valencia Basket had lost seven straight games against Baskonia, but it came out on top at Buesa Arena in Round 23 to get give it a boost in the race for the EuroLeague Playoffs.

Defense and Brandon Davies lifted Valencia Basket past Baskonia

Valencia Basket’s first objective when it headed into Friday night’s game against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at Buesa Arena was pretty simple: win.

The second objective, taking the head-to-head advantage between the teams, was probably not being considered too seriously by many people in the Taronjas camp after [suffering an 84-98 defeat to Baskonia at the start of December](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-valencia-basket-vs-saski-baskonia/). After all, winning on the road in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is difficult enough, without even starting to think about winning by 15.

As the game went on, though, that distant ambition started to become a distinct possibility, as Valencia raced into a 16-point lead, 29-45, at the end of a low-scoring first half and maintained a double-digit margin throughout the vast majority of the second period.

### Brandon Davies was vital for Valencia

Inside the last 2 minutes, [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/)’s three-pointer dragged Baskonia back to 62-75, so Valencia needed something else. And that something came from the game’s MVP [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/), who drove to the basket to unload a fierce Statue of Liberty dunk. 

And that was it – after successfully defending a three-point attempt from [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) and running out the remainder of the clock, Valencia had exactly the outcome it probably it did not dare to believe was possible: both a victory and the head-to-head advantage.

[The 62-77 final outcome](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-saski-baskonia-vs-valencia-basket/) represented Baskonia’s worst scoring night of the season, so it was no surprise that Davies – who had 19 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots for a PIR of 24 – chose to focus his postgame assessment on that side of the court.

Brandon Davies had 19 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots as Valencia Basket beat Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Davies's highlights vs. Baskonia

In particular, Davies was delighted with Valencia's ability to restrict Baskonia’s prolific guard [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) to just 7 points, singling out a pair of teammates for specific praise.

“We really locked in defensively,” he said. "And I’ve got to give credit to [Justin Anderson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/justin-anderson/012795/) and [Xabi \[Lopez-Arostegui\]](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/xabi-lopez-arostegui/005356/). They did a great job against a great scorer, keeping him contained and locked up. 

“This is a tough place to play. A lot of teams come here and fold, so I’m glad we didn’t. We kept our composure, got that win and got the points difference, too.”

### Ending an unwanted record against Baskonia

The victory should also give Valencia a big boost in confidence for two other reasons: firstly, it ends a seven-game losing run against Baskonia in all competitions, including an 83-74 defeat at Buesa Arena in the Spanish League just before the EuroLeague loss towards the end of last year.

And secondly, Friday’s win was the second in a row for Valencia against a direct opponent, having come from behind to down EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 84-72 last week. Heading into another double-round week, with games on the road at Crvena Zvezda Meridian Bet Belgrade and ALBA Berlin, the self-belief generated by those two wins should prove valuable.

Valencia head coach Alex Mumbru echoed Davies’s sentiments about the defensive performance, also underlining the importance of his team’s fourth-quarter resistance when Baskonia’s only real push of the game reduced the deficit to just 3 points.

“Today was a really tough game," stated the second-year boss. "Baskonia tried to make a comeback, but we managed to hold that 3-point lead. We played calmly, we played well in defense, and we won a game which is really important for us.”

Exactly how important remains to be seen, but the win itself and – even more so – the winning margin could end up proving crucial in the race for the playoffs.

More Valencia News

Brandon Davies in action for Valencia Basket against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 23 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Taronjas had lost seven straight games to the Basque side, but they came out on top in Round 23.

Defense and Brandon Davies lifted Valencia past Baskonia

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Valencia Basket (2024-01-26T19:30:00.000Z)