Check out Javier Gancedo's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge tips for Round 23 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge tips, Round 23: Rising to the occasion

It was a good Round 22 for most [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) managers, with over 8,600 teams getting 200 points or more. Things may be a little bit more difficult in Round 23, however, as some key players are injured and finding out who will do well is a bit harder.

As always, I have some ideas that I would like to share with you. Here are my recommendations before Round 23, so make sure to gain an advantage in your private leagues and, why not, in the overall standings.

Kendrick Nunn, Achille Polonara, P.J. Dozier, Yago Dos Santos and Chima Moneke are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Round 23

[Yago Dos Santos, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) **(8.6 credits)**

Join the Yagomania! Dos Santos has been sensational of late, getting 26 points, 5 assists and a PIR of 26 in Round 21 against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, before recording 17 points, 14 assists and a PIR of 30 in the Adriatic League this weekend. With Nemanja Nedovic and perhaps Milos Teodosic sidelined, Yago is a very intriguing choice at a cheap price.

[Kendrick Nunn, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) **(10.7 credits)**

Nunn has made an incredible impact since making his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut, but he seems to have gone to another level in recent weeks, contributing a lot on both ends of the floor. In the last two games, Nunn has averaged 21.0 points on 66.7% two-pointers and 100% free throws, 3.0 assists and a PIR of 18.5. Panathinaikos needs to play physical against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, and Nunn is just the right player for that.  

[Chima Moneke, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) **(15.7 credits)**

Some of the competition's elite forwards are sidelined, which makes Moneke a must. He has been playing really well, too, having posted 13.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and a PIR of 26.5 in his last two EuroLeague games. He also had 26 points and a PIR of 28 in the Spanish League this weekend. Baskonia hosts Valencia Basket and it needs Moneke to keep rolling.  

[Achille Polonara, Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/002084/) **(6.7 credits)**

Toko Shengelia is sidelined, which means Polonara is his team's main option at power forward. He plays against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, one of his former teams, and last week amassed 2 points, 9 rebounds and a PIR of 9 in Virtus's come-from-behind win against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. At just 6.7 credits and playing in the first turn, Polonara could be Round 23's X-factor.

[P.J. Dozier, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/) **(11.6 credits)**

Partizan could not beat Panathinaikos last week, but Dozier had an amazing all-around game. With Kevin Punter and Aleksa Avramovic sidelined, Dozier took matters into his own hands, getting 16 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals for a PIR of 28. Expect Dozier to keep doing a little of everything, this time at home against Zalgiris Kaunas.  

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade guard Yago Dos Santos, one of Javier Gancedo's fantasy picks for Round 23, in action during a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game this season.

Check out my advice for EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge managers.

Fantasy tips, Round 23: Rising to the occasion

Listen to some of the top prospects on the continent, including Nikola Topic and Kasparas Jakucionis, as they experience the 2022-23 ANGT Finals.

ANGT ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary is out now!

The Adidas Next Generation Tournament provides a platform for the superstars of tomorrow to showcase their talents, with Gen Z taking center stage during last year’s ANGT Finals in Kaunas, Lithuania. In ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary, presented by SKWEEK, you can follow the players’ progress through the tournament as they discuss the importance of the event, what it means for them moving forward, and the lessons they have learned.

Thanks to the support of Adidas and SKWEEK, this documentary provides an opportunity to get inside the mindset of what makes an elite prospect in Europe during the ANGT Finals. In addition to hearing the thoughts of 2006-07 MVP [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/) (now of AS Monaco) and 2012-13 MVP [Alberto Abalde](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alberto-abalde/003733/) (now of Real Madrid), FC Barcelona guard [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) also talks about the impact of being on the big stage for the first time.

A couple of stars from last year’s ANGT Finals – who feature prominently during this documentary – have already been given a chance to shine on the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stage this season, with [Nikola Topic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-topic/010985/) of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and [Kasparas Jakucionis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kasparas-jakucionis/012197/) of FC Barcelona both making their debuts in the 2023-24 campaign.

Other players to feature in the documentary include: [Mantas Laurencikas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/mantas-laurencikas/011645/) (U18 Zalgiris Kaunas), [Neoklis Avdalas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/neoklis-avdalas/010798/) (U18 Panathinaikos Athens), [Urban Kroflic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/urban-kroflic/011688/) (U18 Mega MIS Belgrade), [Illan Pietrus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/illan-pietrus/011435/) (U18 Next Generation Select Team), and [Mohamed Diawara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/mohamed-diawara/010801/) (U18 Next Generation Select Team).

Petteri Koponen, the head coach of the U18 Next Generation Select Team, and Roger Grimau, the ex-U18 FC Barcelona head coach and now Barca first-team boss, offer their insights on this new generation and also how pivotal a tournament like the ANGT can be in a player’s development.

Over four days in May 2023, ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary captures the highs and the lows of the players as they go in search of the ultimate prize: winning the ANGT trophy and cementing themselves as one of the top prospects in the world.

Plenty of current and former stars were in attendance across the tournament, too, such as: Real Madrid’s Abalde, Vincent Poirier, Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, Walter Tavares and Felipe Reyes; Monaco’s Motiejunas; ex-London Lions head coach Ryan Schmidt; ex-Zalgiris boss Kazys Maksvytis; Zalgiris assistant coach Tautvydas Sabonis; Barcelona legend and current director Juan Carlos Navarro; Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga; and Zalgiris legends Paulius Jankunas and Arvydas Sabonis.

With so much star power both on the court and in the stands, it’s no surprise that the ANGT continues to grow and grow. Don’t be surprised to see some of the names in ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary feature on EuroLeague and NBA courts in the years to come.

The Adidas Next Generation Tournament provides a platform for the superstars of tomorrow to showcase their talents, with Gen Z taking center stage during last year’s ANGT Finals in Kaunas, Lithuania. In ‘The Future Stars of Gen Z’ documentary, you can follow the players’ progress through the tournament as they discuss the importance of the event, what it means for them moving forward, and the lessons they have learned.

Thanks to the support of Adidas and SKWEEK, this documentary provides an opportunity to get inside the mindset of what makes an elite prospect in Europe during the ANGT Finals.

Listen to some of the top prospects on the continent as they experience the 2022-23 ANGT Finals.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul announced on Monday that it signed forward Amine Noua to a contract for one month to help to cover for a spate of injuries. 

Fenerbahce bolsters lineup by signing Amine Noua

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul announced on Monday that it signed forward [Amine Noua](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/amine-noua/006068/) to a contract for one month to help to cover for a spate of injuries. The club was already without Nigel Hayes-Davis and Nate Sestina before announcing earlier Monday that Dyshwn Pierre was also sidelined by a hamstring strain. Tarik Biberovic is also questionable for this week's game against Virtus Segafredo Bologna. 

Noua (2.02 meters, 26 years old) returns to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after playing 83 games over three seasons for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne between 2019 and 2023. He averaged 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds over 16:37 minutes in those games.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Amine Noua Fenerbahçe Beko&#39;da! ✍️💛💙<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/xw0Mkx5ZBN">https://t.co/xw0Mkx5ZBN</a> <a href="https://t.co/UnUXBGMf3J">pic.twitter.com/UnUXBGMf3J</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1749403535710490863?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Noua arrives from Italian club Bertram Derthona Tortona, where he averaged 6.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in six games. Noua began the season with Hapoel Holon in Israel. He has also played for MoraBanc Andorra and Strasbourg in his career. Noua is a two-time French League champion and a French Cup winner, all with ASVEL.

Amine Noua highlights 2022-23

The deal is for one month to help cover the injuries the club has suffered to its battery of forwards.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-01-25T17:45:00.000Z)

Round 23 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is headlined by a repeat of last season’s championship game along with several more matchups between direct rivals. Here’s your guide to the action.

Round 23: A title-game rematch highlights pivotal clashes

### Thursday, January 25

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/201/)

In a key battle between the teams in fifth and third place, Fenerbahce (13-9) will look to bounce back from last week’s heavy loss at Zalgiris by overcoming a Virtus team (15-7) that ended a two-game losing run by outlasting ASVEL. The Italian team can also seal the head-to-head advantage between them after beating Fener 87-79 earlier this season, with [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) – who missed last week’s game – contributing 15 points and 8 rebounds. Saras Jasikevicius’s men had only [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) and [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) in double digits in the pummeling at Zalgiris and will also aim for a major defensive improvement after allowing 25 assists in that defeat. Virtus will look to punish any defensive frailty through the scoring power of [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/), who averages 2.7 triples per game.

[ALBA Berlin vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/199/)

ALBA (4-18) will look to move away from the foot of the standings with a visit from unpredictable Zvezda (9-13). [Nemanja Nedovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nemanja-nedovic/000848/) led the Serbian team to victory when the teams met in December by scoring 20 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting. Perimeter defense has consistently been a problem for an ALBA team that has allowed opponents to convert 39.9% of three-point shots, which is next-to-worst in the competition. The German team also concedes a competition-high 20 assists per night. However, Zvezda could be without Nedovic and playmaker [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) (5.7 assists per game) and thus will need [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) and newcomer [Javonte Smart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/javonte-smart/012801/) to rise to the occasion. ALBA has lost four straight at home, most recently a heavy German derby defeat to Bayern last week.

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/202/)

In another meeting of direct rivals, hot and cold Maccabi (12-10) will look to cut the distance on visiting Panathinaikos (14-8). The Greens are on a great run of form with eight wins out of the last nine, but Maccabi enjoyed an 81-86 triumph in Round 4 in Athens thanks to 21 points from [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) and 12 assists from [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/), who was absent from last week’s heavy defeat at Olympiacos. That was a third loss in four games for Maccabi, allowing at least 88 points in each of those defeats. Panathinaikos will hope that [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) continues his hot streak after scoring 21 points in both of his last two games.

Panathinaikos Athens-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 4 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

[FC Bayern Munich vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/200/)

Bayern (9-13) is aiming to climb closer to the all-important top 10 with a visit from rock-bottom ASVEL (4-18). The hosts boosted their confidence with a comfortable German derby victory over ALBA last week, with [Danko Brankovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/danko-brankovic/007639/) enjoying a breakout game of 14 points and 9 rebounds to further add to Pablo Laso’s big man options. The first meeting between the teams was a 100-101 double-overtime thriller, taken by Bayern as [Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devin-booker/007056/) grabbed a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. [Mike Scott](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-scott/012729/) paced ASVEL with 21 points on 5-of-8 three-point shooting and he will look to recover his usual scoring threat after reaching double-digits in only one of the last four games.

[Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/203/)

A rematch of last season’s championship game will see Real (19-3) look to bounce back from last week’s heavy defeat at Monaco as it hosts dangerous Olympiacos (12-10), which got back into the groove by easily downing Maccabi. [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) was the hero with an astonishing 20-point, 20-rebound double-double and will now take on Real's [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/), among others. In the backcourt, [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) will try to slow down the impact of the competition’s assists leader [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (6.8 assists per game), while [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/), who also netted 20 points in last week’s win, will enjoy a long-range shooting tussle with [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/).

A pair of Goliaths from European basketball battle for continental glory as the Reds and Los Blancos square off at Žalgirio arena. These teams boast some of the top players in the competition, but whose talents will come to the fore and secure the ultimate prize?

Olympiacos Piraeus vs Real Madrid - Championship Game - Highlights


### Friday, January 26

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-as-monaco/E2023/204/)

Resurgent Efes (9-13) is aiming to make it three straight wins as it welcomes a Monaco team (12-10) that also has confidence high after destroying Real last week. Two iconic guards will surely have a big say in the outcome, as Efes star [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) (18 points per game, third in the league) looks to out-shoot visiting motor [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), who leads the league with 19.3 points per night. Larkin was the key factor by scoring 25 points when Efes won at Monaco in November, 82-89, while [Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/) showed off his scoring potential with 21 points – and he heads into this game in great form after also netting 21 in last week’s destruction of Barcelona.

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-valencia-basket/E2023/207/)

An all-Spanish League affair will see Baskonia (12-10) attempt to protect its position in the top eight against direct rival Valencia (11-11). Baskonia is on a two-game winning streak, most recently taking a thrilling road win at Zvezda behind 32 points from [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/). Baskonia’s stars shined to grab a big 84-98 victory at Valencia in December with [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) recording a double-double of 10 points and 11 assists, [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) powering 19 points and Howard blasting 24 with 6 three-pointers. [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/) had 15 points and 6 assists as Valencia overcame Milan last week, also helped by [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) with 14 points and 7 boards, and they will need another big night to take a key road win on Friday.

Bragging rights are at stake as Valencia attempt to end a four–game losing slump with a Spanish derby against Baskonia, which is also eager to return to winning ways after suffering a late loss to Monaco. This game has plenty of significance as it will break a tie between two teams on the playoff fringes.

Valencia Basket-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 11 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

[Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/206/)

Faltering Partizan (11-11) will aim to protect its home court against a Zalgiris team (8-14) that showed its potential by thrashing Fenerbahce last week. Hea coach Zeljko Obradovic’s team has lost three of the last four, but all those losses were on the road and Partizan boasts an 8-2 record at home. The Serbian team also took a road triumph, 85-93, in Kaunas last month, with backcourt dynamo [PJ Dozier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/) delivering a typical all-around performance with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Zalgiris lost that game despite a stellar 33 points from [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/), who had 21 points and 7 assists in last week’s win over Fenerbahce and will play a key role again this week.

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-fc-barcelona/E2023/205/)

Two teams aiming to bounce back from bad losses go head to head as Milan (9-13) tests Barcelona’s (15-7) fragile record on the road. Milan became the only visiting team to win at Palau Blaugrana in December, with 21 points from [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) inspiring an 86-90 triumph. Barca has lost six of its last eight road games, most recently getting pumped 98-74 at Efes last week despite 18 points from [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/). Inconsistent Milan is also coming off a damaging loss, suffering a late collapse to lose 84-72 at Valencia. That game featured the debut of new signing [Rodney McGruder](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodney-mcgruder/012800/) and the veteran guard will look to impose himself on [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) on Friday.

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

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-01-26T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v FC Barcelona (2024-01-26T19:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v AS Monaco (2024-01-26T17:30:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-01-25T19:45:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-01-25T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-01-25T19:05:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-01-25T19:00:00.000Z)

This week we analyze the best offensive rebounders in the EuroLeague and what they do with their second-.chance opportunities. 

Stats review: To reset or put back?

Olympiacos Piraeus center [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) notched the first 20+20 game in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague since 2007 and just the fourth in league history in the Reds' 89-72 home victory over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Round 22. Recording 9 offensive rebounds and scoring 10 points on put-backs in 31:31 minutes of action, the 29-year-old center imposed his will on the game with his efforts on the boards.

It was a signature performance from Milutinov, though perhaps not a surprising one.

Since his EuroLeague debut at age 17 back in 2012, Milutinov has consistently improved as a rebounder through his early 20s and in recent years has ranked high in rebound percentage – the rate of available rebounds a player secures while he is on court. But while the Serbian big man certainly has solidified himself as an elite rebounder, he's also elite at the little things that come with that.

In offensive rebounding, that means knowing what to do with a fresh opportunity. It usually comes down to put-backs – going straight up to try to score again – or resets – recycling the rebound to open teammates.

Milutinov proved his experience in both with his board work against Maccabi. On Olympiacos's second possession, he corralled a missed three-pointer and shot the ensuing put-back a bit too long, but after that he proceeded to make every subsequent offensive rebound pay off. Whether he played volleyball by himself before tipping the ball in, sent a quick hockey assist to a shooter off a long rebound, or took a couple dribbles before handing off to a guard who scored, what Milutinov did *after* he secured his offensive rebounds had a marked impact on the final margin.  

When coaches talk about the little things, what players do once they secure an offensive rebound certainly qualifies. Though there's little to decide if there's an angle to attempt a tip-dunk or no real opportunity to score quickly on long rebounds, what big men decide to do when they do have choices adds up over the course of the season. The table above gives an idea of what those decisions look like for the EuroLeague's best offensive rebounders.

As the table above suggests, despite last week having posted this season's most productive put-back scoring performance, Milutinov looks for an opportunity to reset possessions more than most offensive rebounders. Against Maccabi, his feel for the game and experience was apparent in the choices he made as he played off instincts and never forced the issue.

Olympiacos Pireus needed to get back to winning ways in Round 22 and it did just that with an 89-72 win over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, which featured a historic performance from this week’s MVP of the Round, Nikola Milutinov.

Nikola Milutinov | RS Round 22 MVP | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The contrast in how the EuroLeague's top big men approach their decision-making with offensive boards is most apparent between its tallest players. While Walter Tavares is the most likely to look away from basket when he first secures a rebound and leads the league in resets, Youssoupha Fall is the most likely to try to go right back up to score, shooting 67% on second-chance opportunities and leading the EuroLeague in points off put-backs as a result. That duo operates at the extremes while other big men pick and choose according to the situation.

There's obvious value in big men who do not touch the ball for entire possessions as they set screens and fight for position, claw their way to rebounds, and then make smart plays with the ball. That came to the forefront in Round 22 as Milutinov's 9 offensive rebounds led to 15 points for his team in a crucial – and not the least bit coincidental – 15-point win.

Last round's MVP gave a lesson about not only cleaning up misses, but what to do next.

EuroLeague week on social media

**RIP DEKI**: The basketball world was struck with the news that former EuroLeague star Dejan Milojevic, a coach to many current and former EuroLeague players, a teammate of several EuroLeague coaches and an all-around beloved colleague - tragically passed away at the age of 46.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pocivaj u miru deki! 💔💔💔 <a href="https://t.co/bdEFpijm8e">pic.twitter.com/bdEFpijm8e</a></p>&mdash; Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) <a href="https://twitter.com/luka7doncic/status/1747734180614885478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 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">Najdivnija osoba koja sam poznavao a ujedno , veliko srce i drag prijatelj , mnogo sam ga voleo , vezivali su nas i igrački dani . Jedan i veliki Dejan, za srpsku košarku najtužniji dan . Saučešće familiji . <a href="https://t.co/NCKiaBIgHl">pic.twitter.com/NCKiaBIgHl</a></p>&mdash; Saša Obradovic (@sasaobradovic69) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaobradovic69/status/1747706308491375018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 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/C2NzTCAypDC/?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/C2NzTCAypDC/?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/C2NzTCAypDC/?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 Vasilije Micic B.B.I.I.M.H. (@vasamicic13)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pocivaj u miru Deki 🙏😔 <a href="https://t.co/ar6tUFPDUS">pic.twitter.com/ar6tUFPDUS</a></p>&mdash; Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeaderOfHorde/status/1747705415394091302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 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">Odmori se, dobri naš Deki! 💔 <a href="https://t.co/N2Qg2sG8mN">pic.twitter.com/N2Qg2sG8mN</a></p>&mdash; Dzanan Musa (@DzMusa) <a href="https://twitter.com/DzMusa/status/1747700205787468261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 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">DEP 🙏🏻 <a href="https://t.co/mzMPaJfEeV">https://t.co/mzMPaJfEeV</a></p>&mdash; Alex Mumbrú (@Alexmumbru15) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alexmumbru15/status/1747728384459764123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 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">I najveći borci nekada odlaze... <a href="https://t.co/yPotteKCZI">pic.twitter.com/yPotteKCZI</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1747706497880957162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 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 huge loss for basketball. Rest in peace, Dejan Milojevic! 🙏 <a href="https://t.co/UHtENCLe9w">pic.twitter.com/UHtENCLe9w</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1747921215128244453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**CHIMA'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL**: Take a peak inside because Baskonia's Chima Moneke has content you will enjoy.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First of many YouTube videos available now! <br>Gameday vs Crvena Zvezda 🍿<br>Like and subscribe 🙏🏾<a href="https://t.co/tN7wMTXwtI">https://t.co/tN7wMTXwtI</a> <a href="https://t.co/LMrCJGO5A0">pic.twitter.com/LMrCJGO5A0</a></p>&mdash; Chima Moneke (@Chimdogg_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chimdogg_/status/1746992673334997012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**LOOKALIKES**: Maccabi and Efes's social media teams had some fun with player images early in the week.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pedro Pascal is back to practice from winning he Emmy&#39;s 😅 <a href="https://t.co/39Qgy8A3kg">pic.twitter.com/39Qgy8A3kg</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱 (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1747570364987621504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 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/CVBceBBbLF">pic.twitter.com/CVBceBBbLF</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1747559437651316842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**GANG TIMES**: Efes's players and coaches had a good time at practice on Saturday.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2UiDNhNDXV/?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/C2UiDNhNDXV/?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/C2UiDNhNDXV/?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 Elijah Bryant (@elijahbryant3)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**TRIVIA**: Do you know the answer to the question Jake Cohen asked his teammates, Bonzie Colson and Lorenzo Brown?

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The who? 😅<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FirstClass?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FirstClass</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jacohen15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jacohen15</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Bcolson_35?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bcolson_35</a> X <a href="https://twitter.com/Zo_Brown?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Zo_Brown</a> <a href="https://t.co/L6UvtkGAWk">pic.twitter.com/L6UvtkGAWk</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱 (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1747506136993980864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**SKILL**: EuroLeague players are on another level…

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Who among you out there can do that as well? 🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BERBAY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BERBAY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/89pWkKHFFb">pic.twitter.com/89pWkKHFFb</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1748047881934717149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**LOVE & RESPECT**: Dusko Ivanovic started this season as Zvezda's head coach before getting dismissed. However, that did not stop the club and Zvezda's fans from giving Coach Ivanovic a very warm and special welcome on Thursday night! Well done!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Honor for Dusko 🇷🇸❤️<br><br>El recibimiento de más de 20.000 personas a Dusko Ivanovic 🙌🏽<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/GAX4GtG3r8">pic.twitter.com/GAX4GtG3r8</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1748041332495680003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**SOUVENIR**: Chima Moneke left Belgrade with a special souvenir - a signed Milos Teodosic jersey.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you legend <a href="https://twitter.com/MilosTeodosic4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MilosTeodosic4</a> <a href="https://t.co/zYdJbAeCGE">pic.twitter.com/zYdJbAeCGE</a></p>&mdash; Chima Moneke (@Chimdogg_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chimdogg_/status/1748078731292229848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**WINNER' CORNER**: Efes and Monaco won by the same score, while Baskonia and Bayern were the only teams to pull out road wins.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🏹 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arcfam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Arcfam</a> <a href="https://t.co/w8qfBALlvc">https://t.co/w8qfBALlvc</a></p>&mdash; Frenchie (@S_CISCO_2) <a href="https://twitter.com/S_CISCO_2/status/1748142602732343553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 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">Important one !!💪 <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euroleague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#euroleague</a> #21 <a href="https://t.co/NrXJGfI4pu">pic.twitter.com/NrXJGfI4pu</a></p>&mdash; Tibor Pleiss (@tibor_pleiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/tibor_pleiss/status/1748374161100046749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 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/C2Qc2u-oIvk/?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/C2Qc2u-oIvk/?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/C2Qc2u-oIvk/?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 Shane Larkin (@shanelarkin)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT A GAME 🏀<br>WHAT A WIN 🔥<br><br>CARÁCTER BASKONIA!! 🔵🔴 <a href="https://t.co/ZwJUhhrkEZ">pic.twitter.com/ZwJUhhrkEZ</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1748075702727897089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 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">Mission complete 🔐👌🏼<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/9NgyIBJl4Z">pic.twitter.com/9NgyIBJl4Z</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1748297783302410262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 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/C2S6SnErNVx/?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/C2S6SnErNVx/?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/C2S6SnErNVx/?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>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Monaco…… it was lit tonight. Thank you! 🔴⚪️🙌🏾</p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1748477766306013269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


The tragic passing of Dejan Milojevic overshadowed the excitement of Round 22, which saw seven home wins, all by double-digit margins.

Achille Polonara played a key role for Virtus Bologna in the absence of the injured Toko Shengelia, as the Italian side rallied to defeat LDLC ASVEL 73-63 in Round 22 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

The Achille Polonara feel-good story went to new heights in Round 22

Early in the fourth quarter of [Thursday’s home meeting with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-virtus-bologna-vs-ldlc-asvel/), it’s fair to say that Virtus Segafredo Bologna was facing the most delicate moment of its season. 

Having lost its last two games badly, by margins of 17 and 24 points, it was imperative for the Italian team to get back to winning ways against the last-placed opponent, which was also struggling for confidence after a 63-88 mauling by fellow basement dwellers ALBA Berlin last time out.

But things were not going well for Virtus. A strong enough first quarter was followed by something approaching a meltdown, with Luca Banchi’s men scoring just 26 points across the second and third quarters. That allowed ASVEL to take full advantage and establish a solid lead, which reached a maximum of 11 points towards the end of the third.

### Worrying signs... before a hero emerged

The distance was 58-66 with just over 7 minutes remaining and there was no real sign of Virtus mounting the comeback it needed. Especially considering the absence of the team’s leader and best player, injured power forward Toko Shengelia, who was barely able to conceal his discomfort as he watched from the sidelines.

All told, it looked like Virtus was heading for its third straight defeat, which would surely put a major dent in the team’s postseason aspirations and set alarm bells ringing that maybe, just maybe, the outstanding first three months of the season had been a long period of over-achievement that could not be sustained.

Then came the transformation.

The catalyst was [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/002084/), who refused to give up on a missed shot by Ante Zizic, flying from seemingly nowhere to explode a lightning put-back slam, giving the otherwise worried Virtus fans something to cheer.

Polonara sparked Virtus in the fourth quarter

Momentum was further built by a three-pointer from Iffe Lundberg and a nice inside finish from Daniel Hackett, taking the run to 7-0, bringing the score back to 55-56 and generating real hope among Virtus fans that a comeback could be on.

The players were starting to believe it too, especially when Polonara then appeared with another spring-in-his-heels highlight-reel play, leaping high to swat away Paris Lee’s attempted floater with his fingertips. That block was followed, 10 seconds later, by Hackett draining a three-pointer to give Virtus the lead and send ASVEL into panic mode. The tide had well and truly turned, and the run was extended to 14-0 by a two-point strike from Lundberg and a pair of free throws by Marco Belinelli, taking the score to 62-56.

ASVEL never got closer than 5 points the rest of the way as Hackett and Belinelli continued to pour in the points, and Virtus’s incredible burst of action had somehow salvaged a night that appeared to be heading towards disaster.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Anche stasera si vola alto con PolonAIR 😍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/unhIK7rapr">pic.twitter.com/unhIK7rapr</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1748101838828618045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The Polonara feel-good story went to new heights

It was fitting that Polonara played such a big part in lifting his team’s energy with his two explosive plays – a put-back at one end and a block at the other – because he has overcome more hardship than perhaps any other player in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season.

In October, [he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/chemotherapy-will-leave-virtuss-polonara-out-at-least-four-weeks/), ruling him out of action until Round 14 in mid-December. Understandably, the 32-year-old was then gradually eased back into playing time and has not found his best form, but the absence of Shengelia forced a big upturn in playing time and responsibilities.

Thursday’s game saw him play a season-high 22 minutes and although that put-back dunk was his only basket of the night, he certainly contributed in other areas: 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and *the* blocked shot. Not a bad all-around effort for a player who must have wondered whether his career at the top level was over just three months ago, and a perfect encapsulation of the spirit that allowed Virtus to grab a remarkable win and reclaim a share of second place.

More Virtus News

Achille Polonara celebrates a made three-pointer in Virtus Segafredo Bologna's win against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 22 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

With Toko Shengelia — Virtus's star power forward — sidelined, a player whose career could have ended just a few months ago rose up and made the difference.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-01-18T19:30:00.000Z)

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Carsen Edwards of Bayern and ALBA Berlin's Matt Thomas chase the ball. 

Tyrique Jones of Efes dunks over Barcelona's Nikola Kalinic. 

Daniel Hackett of Virtus dives for a steal against ASVEL.

Guerschon Yabusele of Real Madrid dunks against AS Monaco. 

Markus Howard of Baskonia keeps Zvezda's Joel Bolomboy at bay. 

Nikola Milutinov of Olympiacos emotes as he dunks against Maccabi. 

Brandon Davies of Valencia controls the ball in front of Milan's Kyle Hines. 

Balsa Koprivica of Partizan dunks over Panathinaikos's Kostas Antetokounmpo.

DyShawn Pierre of Fenerbahce keeps the ball away from Zalgiris's Edmond Sumner.

Joffrey Lauvergne of ASVEL dunks against Virtus. 

Look back at all the action from Round 22 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

The Top 10 photos of the week, Round 22

Tibor Pleiss, Vanja Marinkovic, Paris Lee, PJ Dozier and Chris Jones have all done enough to earn roll call honors in Round 22 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Roll call, Round 22: Career-best nights and rising to the occasion

### Pleiss showed up on both ends for Efes

Anadolu Efes Istanbul had [Tibor Pleiss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tibor-pleiss/lhk/) to thank for its fast start against FC Barcelona in Round 22, as the German big man hit the ground running by scoring the first 6 points of the game to put the hosts 6-0 ahead. Despite lining up against Jan Vesely, Pleiss was cooking in the first minute and a half of the contest. Barca soon went on a 0-5 run, but Pleiss was there to score again and keep Efes 8-5 in front. Soon after, the other Efes players started to find their groove, but it was Pleiss that got the ball rolling. He then made his presence felt on defense, blocking Vesely’s shot at the midway point of the opening quarter before later rejecting shots from Nikola Kalinic and Jabari Parker in the third. Pleiss finished the game with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks as he put in a high-level performance on both ends of the floor.

Tibor Pleiss had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks as Anadolu Efes Istanbul beat FC Barcelona 98-74 in Round 22 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Pleiss's highlights vs. Barcelona

### Lee sets career highs in Bologna

It may have come in a losing effort, but LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne point guard [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) had one of the best performances of his career in Round 22 – and one that nearly led to an upset in Bologna. In the end, Virtus Segafredo Bologna came back in the fourth quarter to beat ASVEL 73-63, but not before Lee set his career high with 12 assists and also tied another personal best with 4 steals. Lee finished the game with 14 points and he was the main reason why ASVEL led 45-54 after 30 minutes, before Virtus rallied late on.

Paris Lee had a 14-point, 12-assist double-double in LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne's 73-63 loss at Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 22 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Lee's highlights vs. ASVEL

### Marinkovic found range in his hometown

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz pulled out a thrilling 90-91 win in the Serbian capital against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, and it was quite a homecoming for [Vanja Marinkovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vanja-marinkovic/004761/). The Belgrade-born sharpshooter, who came through the system of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Zvezda’s archrival, did not mind the hostile environment. Marinkovic knocked down a season-high 5 triples, including a pair in the fourth quarter that opened a 70-80 lead. Zvezda rallied in the final minutes, but with the visitors clinging to an 87-89 advantage, Marinkovic made both free throws with 7.5 seconds to go to ice the game. His performance was even more significant when you consider that this is the first time Marinkovic has scored in double figures since Round 17, having last week shot 0-for-7 from long range in a win over Olympiacos Piraeus.

Vanja Marinkovic made a season-high 5 three-pointers as Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz beat Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 90-91 in Round 22 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Marinkovic's 5 threes vs. Zvezda

### Dozier’s efforts came up short

Although Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade fell to defeat at Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens on Friday night, it wasn’t for the want of trying by [P.J. Dozier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/). In the absence of Kevin Punter and Aleksa Avramovic, Dozier left it all out on the floor and was not a million miles away from posting a triple-double as he posted team highs of 16 points, 7 rebounds and a career-best 8 assists. He also had a personal-best 6 steals, the most of any player this season, and 1 block. It was a really impressive all-round performance by the EuroLeague rookie, but ultimately it proved to be in vain.

P.J. Dozier had 16 points, 7 rebounds, a career-best 8 assists and a personal-best 6 steals in Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's 84-71 loss at Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in Round 22 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Dozier's best plays vs. Panathinaikos

### Jones was perfect for Valencia

Round 22 saw Valencia Basket grab an impressive come-from-behind victory against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, with [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/) orchestrating things on offense. In addition to posting a joint team-high 15 points, the guard had 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Perhaps most notably, Jones didn’t commit a single turnover on the night. That protection of the ball is precisely what head coach Alex Mumbru likes to see from the conductor of his team’s offense, and it certainly paid off as Valencia won 84-72.

Chris Jones had a joint team-high 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, as well as 0 turnovers, as Valencia Basket beat EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 84-72 in Round 22 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Jones's highlights vs. Milan

Paris Lee of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne looks to pass to a teammate against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 22 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

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.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-01-18T18:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-01-19T19:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v FC Barcelona (2024-01-18T17:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2024-01-19T19:15:00.000Z)