Two very experienced yet very different centers are set to face each other on Thursday as top-ranked Real Madrid hosts end-of-the-table ALBA Berlin.

Head-to-head: Tavares, Real vs. Thiemann, ALBA

When unbeaten Real Madrid welcomes last-place ALBA Berlin in Round 10, it marks a great chance for fans to see two successful, experienced centers, [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) for the hosts and [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) of ALBA, go against each other for the eighth time in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 

Tavares has been one of the most influential big men in EuroLeague history. He has been chosen to the All-EuroLeague First Team three times in six full seasons, won the continental title twice, including as Final Four MVP last season, and is a three-time Best Defender Trophy winner. He is the EuroLeague's all-time leader in blocked shots with 386 and needs just 74 rebounds to become the eighth player to reach the 1,500-mark.

A EuroLeague veteran of four full seasons and 108 games now, Thiemann is a reigning World Cup champion with Germany, an experience that has boosted his game this season. Through the first nine rounds, Thiemann is posting career-high averages of 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and [a seventh-ranked 18.6 PIR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=valuation). So far this season, Tavares ranks 40th in average PIR (11.9) while [leading the league in blocked shots](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour), as he has done for five consecutive seasons, with 2.0 per game.

In the last five seasons, Tavares and Thiemann have crossed paths seven times. As Real is 14-0 against ALBA this century, Tavares is undefeated against Thiemann, too. In their first meeting, just over four years ago, Tavares had 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and a PIR of 20 to lead Real to an 85-71 home victory on November 1, 2019. Thiemann had 10 points, 4 rebounds and a PIR of 15 off the ALBA bench. A year later, on December 22, 2020, Tavares had one of his 30 career double-doubles against Thiemann, getting 16 points, 11 rebounds and a PIR of 27 in a 91-62 winning effort. In their latest showdown, Real beat ALBA 77-84 behind 6 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks from Tavares. Thiemann was limited to 2 points, 3 rebounds and a PIR of 4.

Thiemann is posting career-high numbers this season, averaging 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and a PIR of 18.6, ranking seventh overall.

2023-24 EuroLeague highlights: Johannes Thiemann, ALBA Berlin

Overall, Tavares has outperformed Thiemann in those seven head-to-head games, averaging 10.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and a PIR of 19.9. Thiemann has averages of 8.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 10.4 PIR from the same games.

Shooting percentages give a hint of Tavares's influence in the game. Thiemann, a career 53.5% two-point shooter, has made just 12 of 28 attempts inside the arc (42.9%) against Tavares. Conversely, Thiemann has been really effective from beyond the arc against Real, burying 7 of 12 attempts (58.3% 3FG). Thiemann hit all of his 11 free throw attempts and Tavares went 14 of 21 from the foul line (66.7%).

Of course, there are more possible matchups in this game when ALBA's Khalifa Koumadje and Real's Vincent Poirier step on court, but Thiemann and Tavares will certainly go against each other some of the time, and EuroLeague fans should be ready for a truly interesting matchup.

Real Madrid v ALBA Berlin (2023-11-23T19:45:00.000Z)

Two teams aiming to start moving up the standings meet as ASVEL (2-7) welcomes Bayern (3-6) in the first EuroLeague game at the brand new LDLC Arena.

Game Preview: LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. FC Bayern Munich

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/82/)| [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-facts-asv-mun) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-notes-asv-mun) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-prequotes-asv-mun/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-big-bargains-for-two-rounds/)

ASVEL has not won at home all season, while Bayern has lost four straight on the road. [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) is just 2 assists short of reaching 1,000 for his EuroLeague career, and the ASVEL veteran will look to control his backcourt battle with the dynamic [Leandro Bolmaro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/leandro-bolmaro/008985/), who has posted double digits in scoring in three of the last four games. Led by [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) (6.1 rpg.), Bayern is the top rebounding team in the competition with 38.8 per game, but that will be threatened by ASVEL giant [Youssoupha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/youssoupha-fall/006568/), who has claimed at least 2 offensive rebounds in each of the last five games.

[ASVEL Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/statistics/asv/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Bayern Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/statistics/mun/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Youssoupha Fall vs. Serge Ibaka

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 27, ASVEL vs. Bayern

Two teams aiming to start moving up the standings meet as LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2-7) hosts FC Bayern Munich (3-6) in the first EuroLeague game at the brand new LDLC Arena.

ASVEL takes on Bayern in first game at brand-new LDLC Arena

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v FC Bayern Munich (2023-11-23T19:00:00.000Z)

Second-place Barcelona (7-2) faces a major test with a trip to Belgrade following consecutive road losses to face a Maccabi (5-3) team that has won three of its last four games.welcomes Bayern (3-6) in the first EuroLeague game at the brand new LDLC Arena.

Game Preview: Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. FC Barcelona

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-fc-barcelona/E2023/83/#roster)| [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-facts-tel-bar) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-notes-tel-bar) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-prequotes-tel-bar/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-big-bargains-for-two-rounds/)

Maccabi is coming off a morale-boosting home win over Fenerbahce powered by a huge double-double from [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) (13 points, 14 rebounds). Maccabi grabbed a league-season-high 22 offensive rebounds in that game, so Barca will need its big men [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) to protect the defensive glass. The Spanish team will also hope that [Nicolas Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) – going up against Maccabi leader [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) – can regain his usual scoring stroke after converting just 2 of his 10 field goal attempts in last week's narrow victory over Valencia.

[Maccabi Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/statistics/tel/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Lorenzo Brown vs. Nicolas Laprovittola

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 22, Maccabi vs. Barcelona

Second-place FC Barcelona (7-2) faces a major test with a trip to Belgrade following consecutive road losses to face a Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (5-3) team that has won three of its last four games.

Maccabi looks to build on momentum against second-place Barcelona

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v FC Barcelona (2023-11-23T19:05:00.000Z)

Third-place Virtus (6-3) will look to strengthen its position in the playoffs places with a visit from struggling Fenerbahce (5-4), which has dropped its last three decisions while battling a spate of injuries.

Game Preview: Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/86/#roster)| [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-facts-vir-ulk) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-notes-vir-ulk) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-prequotes-vir-ulk/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-big-bargains-for-two-rounds/)

Virtus has lost two of its last three games, scoring just 74 and 76 points in those defeats. Fenerbahce hit an offensive slump in its three straight losses, scoring an average of just 71 points in those. Virtus is the third-best three-point shooting team in the league (38.2%), but star man [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) has lost his radar from deep, making just 1 of his last 12 attempts. The Turkish team will always pose a long-range threat from [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/), who hit 5 triples in last week's tough loss at Maccabi and leads the team with an average of 12.8 points per game.

[Virtus Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/statistics/vir/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Fenerbahce Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/statistics/ulk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Jordan Mickey vs. Jonathan Motley

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 26, Virtus vs. Fenerbahce

Third-place Virtus Segafredo Bologna (6-3) will look to strengthen its position in the playoff race with a visit from struggling Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (5-4), which has dropped its last three decisions while battling a spate of injuries.

Virtus to host Fenerbahce as it targets its fifth straight home win

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-11-23T19:30:00.000Z)

After earning his 200th victory in the competition by downing Virtus on Friday, Ergin Ataman will look to guide Panathinaikos (5-4) to a third straight win by overcoming a Valencia (5-4) which has slipped down the standings after losing three in a row.

Game Preview: Panathinaikos Athens vs. Valencia Basket

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-athens-valencia-basket/E2023/84/#roster)| [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-facts-pan-val) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-notes-pan-val) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-prequotes-pan-val/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-big-bargains-for-two-rounds/)

The key figure behind the Greens' success in the double round week was [Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) (17.8 ppg., 6.7 rpg.), whose duel with Valencia forward [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) could prove crucial. The battle in the paint will feature a showdown between two players who know each other very well: Panathinaikos big man [Aleksander Balcerowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksander-balcerowski/007553/) and visiting center [Damien Inglis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/damien-inglis/003960/) were teammates last season at Gran Canaria, where they became EuroCup champions together.

[Panathinaikos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-athens/statistics/pan/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Valencia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/statistics/pam/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Dinos Mitoglou vs. Semi Ojeleye

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 24, Panathinaikos vs. Valencia

After earning his 200th victory in the competition by downing Virtus on Friday, Ergin Ataman will look to guide Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (5-4) to a fourth straight win by overcoming Valencia Basket (5-4) which has slipped down the standings after losing three in a row.

Surging Panathinaikos faces suddenly-struggling Valencia

Panathinaikos Athens v Valencia Basket (2023-11-23T19:15:00.000Z)

It's first versus last as unstoppable league leader Real Madrid (8-0) hosts rock-bottom ALBA (1-7), which has not beaten the defending champs this century in almost 15 years' worth of trying.

Game Preview: Real Madrid vs. ALBA Berlin

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-alba-berlin/E2023/85/)| [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-facts-mad-ber) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-game-notes-mad-asv) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs10-prequotes-mad-asv/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-tips-big-bargains-for-two-rounds/)

ALBA will look to compete through the shooting ability of [Louis Olinde](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/louis-olinde/006919/) (9.9 ppg.), who has made 69% of his two-point attempts so far this season. Super-deep Real can call upon the always-reliable [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/), who led the way past Monaco in Round 8 with 21 points and has now reached double-digit scoring in the last three games. Real, which will have to cope [without the services of injured forward Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/guerschon-yabusele-real-madrid-baloncesto-out-indefinitely-with-knee-injury/), has won all 14 EuroLeague meetings between the teams and anything other than prolonging that sequence would be the shock of the season.

[Madrid Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [ALBA Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/statistics/ber/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Dzanan Musa vs. Louis Olinde

Last Game: 2022-23, Round 19, ALBA vs. Madrid

It's first versus last as unstoppable league leader Real Madrid (8-0) hosts rock-bottom ALBA Berlin (1-7), which has not beaten the defending champs this century in almost 15 years' worth of trying.

It's top vs. bottom in the standings as Real Madrid faces ALBA

In bringing head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos back to the EuroLeague, Zvezda got a measured leader with a track record of improving his teams.

Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Zvezda: 'I trust the players'

In bringing head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos back to the EuroLeague, Zvezda got a measured leader with a track record of improving his teams.

After an 18-month absence, accomplished Greek head coach [Ioannis Sfairopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/sfairopoulos-ioannis/?season=E2023) has returned to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as an early-season replacement on the bench of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, bringing his signature calm resoluteness to a largely new roster full of talent.

"First of all, I am very happy that I can coach this legendary club of Serbia," Sfairopoulos said in a recent interview. "They have been for so many years at the top level of world basketball. They have here great coaches, great players, great names. My goal is to bring the team as high as it can be."

Experience in the upper echelons of the EuroLeague is the calling card of Sfairopoulos, who split his eight seasons in the competition between Olympiacos Piraeus and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. 

"It's not easy to come in the middle of the season to a team," he says. "Hopefully, you have the experience to adjust to the team, from one side, and from the other to put your own stuff to improve the team's game."

His career record in the EuroLeague before joining Zvezda was 132-96, which breaks down to 76-46 with Olympiacos and 56-50 with Maccabi. He guided Olympiacos to runner-up finishes at the 2015 and 2018 Final Fours. Taking over Maccabi when it had a 1-6 record early in the 2018-19 season, Sfairopoulos led the team to a 14-16 record, one win short of the playoffs. A year later, Maccabi was in fifth place at 19-9 when the pandemic cut short the 2019-20 season.

Zvezda was 1-3 when Sfairopoulos arrived in late October and has gone 2-3 in the month since, those three defeats coming by a total of 12 points. He and Zvezda will try to even their record together on Friday [when they host EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/88/).

"For me, my teams have to play good defense, to disorganize the game of the opponent, and of course to take advantage of the open court to play with speed on offense," Sfairopoulos says. "We want to play faster to involve all the players in the game and to get from everybody the best that he can give.

"I trust the players that we have here. The squad is really talented. We just have to coordinate and synchronize our game."

After an 18-month absence, accomplished Greek head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos has returned to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as an early-season replacement on the bench of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, bringing his signature calm resoluteness to a largely new roster full of talent.

Since Dusko Ivanovic's return on the bench, Baskonia has been unstoppable in the EuroLeague.

Belief is the key to Baskonia's four-game EuroLeague winning streak

The perfect word to sum up [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/bitci-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/roster/bas/?season=2023-24)'s recent four-game EuroLeague winning streak is “belief”, just like Chima Moneke said in the aftermath of the team's away win vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne last last week.

Moments after posting a double-double, Moneke was pretty clear about the source of the team's soaring momentum. "I'll never forget it. The first speech \[Dusko Ivanovic\] gave to us was about belief and having confidence. And that's what we did," he said, praising his new head coach.

Standing far away from the playoff positions following a 14-point road loss at the hands of Mathias Lessort and Panathinaikos Athens in Round 5, the Basque team found its turnaround as Ivanovic, who had just been fired by Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, arrived for his fourth tenure in Vitoria-Gasteiz. From then on, it's been joyful to watch this team play.

[MORE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1584228/baskonia-dusko-ivanovic-euroleague-four-consecutive-wins/)...

First-year Fenerbahçe Basketball forward Nate Sestina discusses what it is like to have a very successful fiancée, Madison Lilley, who has played sport in other countries and now lives almost 9,000 kilometers away.

Nate Sestina, Fenerbahçe Basketball: ‘It makes us appreciate what we have’

Adapting to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is always a tricky proposition for any player, but add in a long-term relationship and it makes things even more complicated. Well, for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward [Nate Sestina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nathan-sestina/011980/), he has found a way to juggle both as he looks to earn more playing time under head coach Dimitris Itoudis while keeping his fiancée happy almost 9,000 kilometers away.

The 26-year-old is in his fourth year as a professional, having suited up for Israeli side Hapoel Holon in the 2020-21 season before moving to Turkiye to play for Merkezefendi (2021-22), Turk Telekom Ankara (2022-23) [and now Fenerbahce](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-lands-forward-nate-sestina/) (2023-). Before that, though, Sestina made his name at Bucknell University and then transferred ahead of the 2019-20 campaign to University of Kentucky, where he met his current fiancée, Madison Lilley.

While Sestina got to play under legendary head coach John Calipari at Kentucky, Lilley herself was earning a big name on campus due to her fantastic play with the women’s volleyball team. In fact, she was named the 2020 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and also the 2020 SEC Player of the Year, as well as being named the SEC Female Athlete of the Year in 2021. It’s quite the roll of honors, but Sestina wasn’t overawed, as he revealed in an interview with [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net).

Nate Sestina, Fenerbahce: ‘It makes us appreciate what we have’

### The first few years of their relationship

“When I first got to Kentucky, she was away doing Team USA volleyball stuff, so I didn’t even know who she was,” Sestina tells [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net). “We met during the first couple of weeks of school. She came into the training room one day and I was like, ‘Man, pretty girl,’ so I wanted to talk to her.

“I had been working with her athletic trainer in the summer because our athletic trainer was coming in from the NBA, so we ended up meeting through the athletic trainer. I went to probably 95% of the \[volleyball team’s\] home games and tried to see as much as I could and learn as much as I could.”

Fast-forward a couple of years and Lilley was able to join Sestina on the old continent, as she played professional volleyball for SC Potsdam in Germany during the 2021-22 season before spending the 2022-23 campaign with Beziers Volley in France. Although Sestina was playing in Turkiye during those two seasons, the possibility of meeting up from time to time suddenly became viable.

“For her, \[playing professional volleyball\] was something that she really wanted to do,” Sestina explains. “Getting to travel overseas and travel abroad, play in different countries, experience different cultures.

“She played for Potsdam and she was like 30 minutes outside of Berlin, so she spent a lot of time on her off days traveling around Germany, going to see different places. A lot of time in Berlin – it’s one of her favorite cities in Europe. They ended up I think losing in the finals, so as a rookie, going and playing in the finals is really impressive. She had a great first season overseas, doing her job – she’s a great setter – so I think she helped her team in a really big way.

“Then last year she was in Beziers in France and played in France’s top division. They won the midseason cup and then ended up losing I think in the semifinals of the French League, so going and doing really well in back-to-back years and winning a professional championship was awesome.”

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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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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/CkxeIsaLNnh/?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">Una publicación compartida de Nate Sestina (@natesestina4)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### Overcoming obstacles

Now, the picture is slightly different for Sestina and Lilley, as she has returned to Kentucky University as an assistant coach, despite being just 24 years of age. The 26-year-old Sestina, meanwhile, is just under 9,000 kilometers – or 5,549 miles – away in Istanbul. Nevertheless, he is incredibly happy that she had the chance to return to Kentucky.

“It’s awesome. It’s a full circle moment for her,” he states. “She’s been in contact with the Kentucky coaching staff since she was 12 years old, 13 years old. She’s 24 now and it’s crazy for her to go there after accomplishing what she did: winning a national championship, becoming an All-American... It’s great for us to be back in Lexington – that’s where we live now – so it’s awesome for both of us.”

Until now, Sestina and Lilley have been just a few hours’ flight away from one another, but even then they still had to wait for breaks in their schedules. The rest of the time, they had to turn to technology as a way of staying in touch. 

“It’s part of the experience of being a professional athlete over here.”

“I mean, thank God for technology,” Sestina comments. “Being able to FaceTime and talk all day, we could text. I was fortunate enough to have coaches that allowed us to travel when we had breaks, so she would either come to Turkiye or I would go to wherever she was, which meant I was able to able to see different countries as well and experience those cultures.

“It’s part of the experience of being a professional athlete over here; it’s not just living where you live. But, being able to see each other helped us out a lot. It’s tough, but I think it makes us appreciate what we have and makes us appreciate the time that we do get, especially in the summer. Spending three months together in the summer is fantastic.”

### A new reality

At the end of the day, quite literally in some cases, Sestina made clear that the key to a healthy long-term relationship between two athletes – or people in the world of sports – is sacrifice. Both Sestina and Lilley found time in their days for one another, and that is what has made them such a good couple.

“It was a little bit tough at first, trying to find time to carve out time to talk and, you know, have a meaningful conversation versus just texting all day,” Sestina admits. “So, we did a good job of talking for an hour or two and really break down how our day was at the end of the night before we’d go to bed.

"I think the traveling made things a little bit difficult, especially last year with the EuroCup – we were traveling all over the place, in the airport or on the plane a lot – so I think \[we did a good job of\] just carving out time throughout the day, whether it was in the morning or at night, to have meaningful conversation.”

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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/Cvw3x2hOi5_/?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">Una publicación compartida de Nate Sestina (@natesestina4)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

Sestina is aware that this year is going to be different, however, as the time difference has a bigger impact on their relationship. Still, the first-year Fenerbahce man makes sure to go out of his way to demonstrate his commitment to Lilley.

“The time difference right now is pretty tough.”

“I think seeing each other is going to be the hardest part compared to the last two years, but she gets time off when the season ends in December,” he notes. “She’ll be able to come here for a month or two, so we can make up for all the lost time.

“But the time difference right now is pretty tough, because she usually gets up at like 2 p.m, 3 p.m. here and we’re usually getting out of practice or whatever we have. And then we have a little bit of time in the morning before she goes in and then they have practice right when I’m going to bed, so we can talk a little bit right before I go to bed. Usually when I’m eating dinner, I’ll throw on FaceTime and try not to have my mouth full when I’m talking!

“It’s going to be nice when she flies here because she wants to see some of the games as well. So we play, I think, ALBA Berlin in Berlin and she’ll be able to go that game.”

Sestina and Lilley have shown time and time again that they can overcome these challenges and, with the EuroLeague rookie having asked Madison to become his wife in August of this year, more good days are ahead in their future.

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague rookie lives almost 9,000 kilometers away from his fiancée.