The Belgrade derby between archrivals Partizan and Red Star returns to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for the second consecutive season. Teammates Luka Mitrovic and Dejan Davidovac of Crvena Zvezda and Aleksa Avramovic and Ognjen Jaramaz of Partizan talked about the game's importance and the players' strong relationships off the court.

Belgrade Derby: Heated on court, friendly off it

For the second consecutive year, Serbian archrivals [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade are set to square off in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague version of the Belgrade Derby](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/39/). Last season, both clubs – and their amazing fans – treated us to a pair of memorable, thrilling games, as the teams split road wins.

"We go hard against each other, which is normal because we play a game of basketball," Partizan guard Aleksa Avramovic said. "Everybody wants to win."

No matter the situation in the standings, the Belgrade derby carries significant weight.

"On the outside, that might be just one game, but you can feel the consequences in public for some period after the game," Zvezda forward Luka Mitrovic says with a smile.

The rivalry between these two clubs and their die-hard fans is huge, one of the biggest in the world of sports. However, before and after their derby games, the protagonists have a different relationship away from the court.

"It's maybe tough for our fans to watch us and to see us as friends," Zvezda's Dejan Davidovac says. "But off the court, yes, we are good friends. I have a lot of friends in Partizan and we did a big thing\[together\] in the World Cup."

Davidovac and Avramovic are proud members of the Serbian national team that won a silver medal at the 2023 World Cup just last month. Many other players on both sides have all played together for Serbia in recent years. That includes Mitrovic, Nemanja Nedovic, Milos Teodosic, Branko Lazic and Ognjen Kuzmic from Zvezda, as well as Ognjen Jaramaz, Danilo Andjusic, Uros Trifunovc and Alan Smailagic from Partizan.

"We know each other also since we were really young. I can say I know some guys from Zvezda since I was 11, 12 years old," Jaramaz says in the video. "We did a lot of things together in our past and that connected us and that made us great friends."

"You could see how good the chemistry was in the recent World Cup between the guys who played in Crvena Zvezda and Partizan," says Mitrovic, who is in his eighth professional season with Zvezda.

He knows that most people are not aware that rivals on the floor are great friends off of it.

"We played so many times against each other, but once the curtain closes, there is no bad feelings at all between us," Mitrovic concludes.

"We are all close friends, have very good relations off the court, so that rivalry actually lasts for 40 minutes during the game."

Ahead of the Belgrade derby between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda, rival players who know a thing or two about these games – Zvezda's Luka Mitrovic and Dejan Davidovac, and Partizan's Aleksa Avramovic and Ognjen Jaramaz – spoke about how an archrivalry can be heated on the court and friendly off it.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-10-26T16:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos B.C. and Anadolu Efes S.K. will face off for the 48th time in the EuroLeague this century on Thursday night, with fans almost guaranteed to be treated to a great game.

Olympiacos B.C., Anadolu Efes prepare for another epic battle

Whenever Olympiacos Piraeus and Anadolu Efes Istanbul have faced off in the last few seasons, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans have typically been treated to one hell of a game. That is likely to be the case once again at Peace and Friendship Stadium on Thursday night (21:00 CET), as [the Reds host the Turkish side in Round 5](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/38/) of the 2023-24 season.

Both Olympiacos and Efes come into this clash with identical records through the first four games, as they have gone 2-2. That said, Thursday night’s hosts have had a stop-start beginning to the campaign, whereas the visitors appear to have picked up some momentum.

### Olympiacos’s start to the season

In Round 4, Georgios Bartzokas saw his Olympiacos side snap a two-game losing run by [beating Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 98-94 in overtime](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-olympiacos-bc-vs-kk-partizan-belgrade/). Curiously, both of Olympiacos’s wins – [against Panathinaikos Athens, 78-88,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-panathinaikos-bc-vs-olympiacos-bc/) in Round 1 and Partizan – have come in overtime.

Its two defeats, however, have led to some concerns, with the team [losing 67-77 at home to FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-olympiacos-bc-vs-fc-barcelona/) in Round 2 before [falling 65-53 on the road at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-olimpia-milano-vs-olympiacos-bc/). After topping the standings last season with a 24-10 regular-season record, starting off 2-2 was not what Coach Bartzokas will have had in mind.

### Efes’s start to the season

Efes, meanwhile, started off slow but has started to pull things together of late. First-year head coach Erdem Can saw his squad get comfortably defeated in Round 1, [losing 91-74 against Barca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fc-barcelona-vs-anadolu-efes-live-blog-game-report-tae2324/) at Palau Blaugrana, and that was followed by another humbling defeat in Round 2, this time [at home to Real Madrid, 80-103](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-anadolu-efes-vs-real-madrid/).

But, things turned around for Efes in the double-round week. After [beating LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 89-84](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-anadolu-efes-sk-vs-ldlc-asvel/) in Round 3, it [downed the previously unbeaten Valencia Basket 77-73](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-anadolu-efes-sk-vs-valencia-basket/) to improve to a .500 record. Importantly, star guard Shane Larkin returned to form in those games, which is certainly good news for Efes.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/shanelarkin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@shanelarkin</a> saved his best performances of the season so far for the double week ✅ <br><br>The stat line in both games? <br><br>33pts I 12ast I 14rbs 🔥 <br><br>Doing it 𝒜𝐿𝐿 <a href="https://t.co/arfcDVDd5b">pic.twitter.com/arfcDVDd5b</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1715782993162236365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Memorable games in the past

Just 17 months ago, on May 19, 2022, one of the most memorable moments in this fixture occurred. With Olympiacos and Efes facing off in the EuroLeague Semifinals, ex-Efes guard Vasilije Micic drained a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to make it 74-77 and send his team to the championship game, leading to scenes of ecstasy among the Turkish side’s roster and images of despair for those associated with the Reds.

Vasilije Micic sends Efes to the Championship Game with a wild three-pointer - WOW!

7DAYS Magic Moment of the Night: Micic wins it!

Prior to that, on February 10, 2022, there was a seismic clash between Olympiacos and Efes at Peace and Friendship Stadium. With the score tied 75-75 after a two-pointer made by Micic with 13 seconds remaining, the game went to overtime. Then, just as it looked like Efes was going to grab an 84-85 victory, ex-Olympiacos guard Kostas Sloukas hit a walk-off triple to seal an 87-85 win for the Reds.

Fans choose game-winner by Sloukas as the 7DAYS Magic Moment of the Season!

While not quite as memorable, last season saw the two sides split home games, with Efes winning 82-71 in Round 11 on the back of 24 points from Will Clyburn, 19 points from Rodrigue Beaubois and 18 points from Micic. Later in the campaign, in Round 23, Olympiacos exacted revenge with a 76-70 win thanks to 23 points from Sasha Vezenkov, 13 points from Michalis Lountzis and 10 points apiece from Moustapha Fall and Shaquielle McKissic.

The head-to-head record between Olympiacos and Efes this century shows just how tight their games have been, with it standing at 23-24 in the Turkish team’s favor heading into Thursday night. This Round 5 contest therefore provides Olympiacos with the chance to level up its series with Efes and win back-to-back games for the first time this season. Efes, however, will be keen to seal its third victory in a row as it continues to build momentum under Coach Can.

Will Clyburn of Anadolu Efes Istanbul looks to get past Giannoulis Larentzakis of Olympiacos Piraeus during the two teams' matchup in Round 11 of the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Games between the two teams in recent years have brought guaranteed entertainment.

Olympiacos, Efes prepare for another epic battle

Olympiacos Piraeus v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-10-26T19:00:00.000Z)

Gianmarco Pozzecco will make his debut as a EuroLeague head coach after being appointed by LDLC ASVEL.

LDLC ASVEL names Gianmarco Pozzecco as new head coach

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has announced the appointment of Gianmarco Pozzecco as its new head coach. Pozzecco has earned rave reviews since becoming Italy's head coach in the summer of 2022, with the *Azzurri* reaching the quarterfinals at both EuroBasket 2022 and the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This is the 51-year-old's first head coaching gig in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Pozzecco has been on the sidelines for EuroLeague games in the past, however. During the 2021-22 season, the Italian tactician acted as [Ettore Messina’s assistant at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/coaches-fraternity-ettore-messina-milan/). That year, Milan had a 19-9 record in the EuroLeague regular season, before losing 3-1 in the playoffs to Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

Known for creating a strong team harmony, Pozzecco is now tasked with creating a chemistry at ASVEL that can help turn its EuroLeague fortunes around. He will continue as Italy's head coach on a part-time basis.

"I am very happy to welcome Gianmarco," ASVEL president Tony Parker said in a statement released by the club. "He will give new impetus to our season by bringing his enormous energy and his high-level experience. I can't wait to see the first effects of his arrival on the court."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🇮🇹 Benvenuto Coach &quot;Poz&quot; ! <br><br>🤝 Gianmarco Pozzecco, actuel sélectionneur de l’équipe nationale d’Italie, est le nouveau head coach de LDLC ASVEL. <br><br>🗞️ Le communiqué officiel du club : <a href="https://t.co/NSnscmJ4TH">https://t.co/NSnscmJ4TH</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/8xhOm8pL1l">pic.twitter.com/8xhOm8pL1l</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1717074335083454828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


### Replacing T.J Parker

ASVEL can now look ahead to a new era under Pozzecco, who has come in to replace T.J. Parker, the brother of the club president. T.J. had been linked to ASVEL for 10 years, having acted as an assistant between 2013 and 2020 prior to becoming head coach, a role he held from the summer of 2020 to October 2023.

During his time in charge of ASVEL, Parker oversaw a 31-69 record in the EuroLeague. However, 17 consecutive defeats led to the coach being given his marching orders. ASVEL is currently one of only two teams in the EuroLeague with a 0-4 record so far this season; the other is ALBA Berlin.

### Pozzecco’s previous experience

Pozzecco began his coaching career with Orlandina Basket in 2012, the club where he ended his playing days two years prior. He remained with Orlandina until 2014, then he took charge of Pallacanestro Varese – another club he previously played for – in the 2014-15 season.

From there, Pozzecco spent two years as an assistant coach at Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. In March 2018, the Italian became the head coach of Fortitudo Bologna, yet another club he used to play for. Then, in his last coaching job before arriving as an assistant at Milan, he became Dinamo Sassari’s head coach from February 2019 to the summer of 2021.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As Poz would say, 𝙪𝙣𝙖 𝙛𝙤𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙖 😍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForItalia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForItalia</a> 🇮🇹 <a href="https://t.co/HUZczlyt7l">pic.twitter.com/HUZczlyt7l</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1698288444508946897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More ASVEL News

New LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco reacts during one of Italy's games at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

The Italian will make his debut as EuroLeague head coach of the French side.

ASVEL names Gianmarco Pozzecco as new head coach

The 35th edition of the EuroLeague’s El Clásico between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona takes place on Thursday, with both teams having started the season with identical 4-0 records.

Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona: El Clásico always brings new stories

There is always drama in a derby that rarely disappoints.

The 35th edition of El Clásico in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this century takes place in Round 5, as [Real Madrid hosts FC Barcelona on Thursday at 20:30 CET](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fc-barcelona/E2023/40/). Both Los Blancos and the Blaugrana come into this derby as the only two undefeated teams left in the EuroLeague, and the winner will take sole possession of first place in the standings.

There are certain games in the calendar that get circled, and El Clásico is a fixture that fans of both Real and Barca immediately look for. It seems that the same applies for the players, too.

"It's always a special game for us," says Real playmaker Facu Campazzo. "We understand that it's not a normal game," adds Real point guard Sergio Rodriguez.  

### Mateo vs. Grimau

On the benches, Real tactician Chus Mateo will come up against first-year Barca head coach Roger Grimau for the first time in the EuroLeague. Coach Mateo led Los Blancos to the EuroLeague title last season in his first year after succeeding Pablo Laso, while Coach Grimau now coaches the team he captained to EuroLeague glory in 2010. For Grimau, he plans to lean on his playing experience as he enters his first Clásico as a head coach.

"Obviously, it's quite different playing than being the coach, but I think this is going to be useful for me," says Coach Grimau. 

Meanwhile, Coach Mateo expects to see a different Barca side from the one led by former boss Saras Jasikevicius, who guided the Blaugrana to three straight Final Four appearances between 2021 and 2023.

"Now with Roger Grimau, they are probably going to play differently. They are probably going to play a little bit faster and allow the players to create a little bit more from their individual skills," notes Coach Mateo. 

There is always a lot on the line when El Clásico comes around, both in the standings and in terms of bragging rights for the fans. Real and Barca have both looked unstoppable in the early weeks of the 2023-24 season, but one of their unbeaten starts will come to an end on Thursday. The only guarantee with El Clásico is right there in the name – it is going to be a classic.

El Clásico always brings new stories: ‘It’s not a normal game’

Real Madrid v FC Barcelona (2023-10-26T18:45:00.000Z)

The departures of T.J. Parker and Dusko Ivanovic follow the exit of Sergio Scariolo, who was dismissed just two weeks prior to the new season getting underway.

The coaching carousel spins sooner than ever

If anyone needed more proof that every Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game matters, a pair of coaching dismissals over the weekend – barely 15 days into the season – drove the point home.

Notably, one of those dismissals featured a team president, Tony Parker, [taking his own younger brother T. J. off the LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne bench](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ldlc-asvel-parts-ways-with-head-coach-tj-parker/) after three years due to a 0-4 EuroLeague start.

The other saw one of the six 200-win coaches this century, Dusko Ivanovic, [shown the door by Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zvezda-pulls-the-plug-on-the-dusko-ivanovic-era/) due to a 1-3 EuroLeague record, despite having rescued the team from a 1-7 start to finish 17-17 last season.

Two head coaches jettisoned so early in the season is pretty much unprecedented – and this doesn't even include [Virtus Segafredo Bologna letting go highly decorated Sergio Scariolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-bologna-parts-ways-with-sergio-scariolo/) just two weeks before this season started. Exceptionally over the years, a coach or two or three has been handed his walking papers after just a EuroLeague game or two, but often those situations were already complicated by early domestic league trouble. Such was not the case for ASVEL or Zvezda.

ASVEL's hand was forced more by 17 consecutive EuroLeague defeats dating to the middle of last season than by its 4-3 French League mark. A 35-point swing on the road at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 3 – from ahead by 17 before halftime to losing by 18 at the finish – was the last straw, probably less for the defeat itself that for no in-game answers during a 25-minute-long collapse.

The news from Belgrade was much more surprising. When [Ivanovic was replaced by Ioannis Sfairopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zvezda-brings-ioannis-sfairopoulos-back-to-the-euroleague/), Zvezda was 3-0 in the Adriatic League and had been within 6 points in all three of its EuroLeague defeats. Blowing fourth-quarter leads in two of those losses and never getting a lead in the last one surely were factors in Ivanovic's exit, but the elephant in the room was Zvezda's nine roster changes in the offseason, a volume that argues for patience while players learn to mesh with one another.

Only two clubs saw the need to make a coaching change in the middle of last season. Conversely, as many as seven benches switched hands in back-to-back seasons over the last five years. The coaching carousel always spins, sometimes faster, sometimes slower. But it has never spun so quickly and so early in a season as it did last weekend.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne head coach T.J. Parker followed a plan to get where he is today. Together with his brother Tony - a basketball legend and ASVEL's president, T.J. had the goal of becoming an important part of ASVEL's resurgence to become the most successful team in France and a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague staple.

T.J. Parker, ASVEL: 'You can always learn something'

Why now? Blame it on the EuroLeague's hard-won parity. Just five victories separated 14th place from the eighth and final playoff position last season. More clubs than ever can practically taste their ultimate goal of playing in the postseason, and none wants to feel themselves out of the running so soon after building new rosters for that purpose. The default for stopping any slide is to change the momentum quickly, and in many cases that leads to bringing in a new head coach. Such early changes come with their own risks, of course, but fears of the path back to playoff contention becoming too steep explains the urge to disrupt the dynamic sooner rather than later. 

It is easy to feel bad for the departed coaches under such circumstances. They wanted to win and put as much effort into it as anyone. But as long as every game has a loser, too, the numbers will never add up in every team or coach's favor. What's different now is the math is being calculated right away and projected ahead, which is the prerogative of team management. But remember that of the seven teams that were 3-1 or better this time last season, four of them missed the playoffs, while one of the 1-3 or worse teams, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, did in fact make the postseason.

Just as the coaching carousel can spin unexpectedly, so can winning and losing streaks. Since 2020, 12 of the EuroLeague's 18 current clubs have had at least one in-season winning streak of six games or longer. A 13th team had one lasting five games. The only one of those preceded by a coaching change was when Ivanovic joined Zvezda last season. Fortune is fickle, especially in the coaching profession.

Round 5 brings unlimited trading to the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, powered by Ardu Prime. In order to help him improve his struggling team, podcast host Javier Gancedo looked for help around the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and got it from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul star Nick Calathes, who joins the show to make suggestions and build a brand new, more competitive lineup.  

Fenerbahce's Nick Calathes joins the Fantasy Challenge podcast!

Round 5 brings unlimited trading to the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, powered by Ardu Prime](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home). In order to help him improve his struggling team, podcast host Javier Gancedo looked for help around the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and got it from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul star Nick Calathes, who joins the show to make suggestions and build a brand new, more competitive lineup.  

Unlimited trading means that Fantasy Challenge managers can change their entire 10-man rosters instead of being limited to the usual three trades between rounds in the regular season. Unlimited trading is set to happen three more times during the regular season, giving fans a golden opportunity to completely change their lineups and have a fresh start.

Javi took Nick's suggestions, buying players like Walter Tavares of Real Madrid, Marius Grigonis of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Chima Moneke of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, and they discussed whether Javi should pick Nick or not. Check out their laid-back, interesting conversation and get your game on for EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge!

After an emotional win against Milos Teodosic and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade to perfectly close last week’s double-round action, Luca Banchi said he felt his guys “were on a mission” while beating the Serbs with an impressive performance that even saw them take a 16-point lead in the second quarter.

It was the fifth straight win between the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the Italian league, but you can make it six after the black-and-white side didn’t leave any hope for Dinamo Sassari in the last domestic game, winning once more in front of their fans.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1570871/virtus-bologna-euroleague-start-luca-banchi/)

Coached by Luca Banchi, Virtus Bologna stands only behind the unbeaten Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings, surprising everyone.

Virtus Bologna took it personally and started the EuroLeague strong

A City that lives and breathes basketball, boasts one of the beautiful game's most famous rivalries. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade versus Crvena Zvesda Meridianbet Belgrade.

No words can describe the Belgrade Derby

The capital of Serbia is a city that lives and breathes basketball and [when Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and its archrival Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade meet on the shiny stage of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/39/), the sports world pays attention.

It is a rivalry that words cannot really describe. When asked to try, Partizan head coach Zeljko Obradovic explained: "You need to come to understand really this."

Partizan star Kevin Punter, who played for Zvezda during the 2019-20 season, said: "It’s amazing. It’s hard to describe. Obviously, people see it on television and things like that, but I feel it’s something you have to physically be there to really understand what I’m saying."

Nemanja Nedovic of Zvezda etched his name into the history books with the game-winner in the first EuroLeague derby between these teams last season.

"It’s really crazy," Nedovic added. "Sometimes you can't hear yourself think. I think every player who plays this game loves to play those atmospheres and enjoys it more. It's a special feeling."

"This is your country, your people," Nedovic's backcourt mate Milos Teodosic said. "This is the team I was cheering for since I was born, so the emotions are even bigger playing for Red Star."

Words cannot explain the derby of Belgrade. If you can’t be at Stark Arena on Thursday night, you had better tune in on television to get a glimpse of this spectacle.

A city that lives and breathes basketball boasts one of the beautiful game's most famous rivalries, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade versus Crvena Zvesda Meridianbet Belgrade.

A Game Unlike Any Other

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers a new wrinkle going into Round 5, before which managers can change all 10 of their players, a regular-season first!

Fantasy tips: unlimited trades, endless combinations!

Round 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season brings something new to [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, powered by Ardu Prime](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home). For the first time ever in 20 years of Fantasy Challenge, unlimited trading will be open before a regular season round. It will happen three more times throughout the season. It is a great opportunity for all Fantasy managers to improve their teams and bring in all those players that you had in mind. This is why we are doing a special edition of 10 players, with no more than one per team, whom you should consider adding to your roster before Round 5. Here they are:

Zach Leday, Jan Vesely, Facu Campazzo, Mike James and Rolands Smits are featured in this video.

Fantasy tips, Round 5: 10th to 6th place

10\. [Jan Vesely, FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) (13.7 credits) – Vesely is posting really solid numbers despite seeing limited playing time. He is averaging 12.5 points on 64.5% shooting and 100% free throws, 5.2 rebounds and a PIR of 18.2 in less than 20 minutes per game. Next stop: El Clásico!

9\. [Rolands Smits, Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/) (11.1 credits) – Smits is playing a leading role this season, averaging 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and a PIR of 16.8, shooting the ball really well (68.0% 2FG, 41.7% 3FG, 92.3% FT) from all angles. Expect him to keep posting solid numbers all around.

8\. [Facu Campazzo, Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (14.6 credits) – Campazzo came back with a mission, to lead the reigning EuroLeague champions' offense, and he is doing exactly that. He averages 11.8 points and 8.5 assists, and posted PIRs of 21 or better in each of Real's last three home games.

7\. [Zach LeDay, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) (14.1 credits) – LeDay has arguably been Partizan's main pillar to start the season, averaging more than 31 minutes on court and responding with 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 18.5 per game. Rock-solid!

6\. [Mike James, AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) (15.7 credits) – Despite Monaco's signings, this is still James's team and he is proving it night in and night out. James averages 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and a PIR of 21.8. This is just the start: He should keep doing better and better.

Toko Shengelia, Chima Moneke, Nikola Mirotic, Nikola Milutinov and Mathias Lessort are featured in this video.

Fantasy tips, Round 5: 5th to 1st place

5\. [Nikola Mirotic, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) (16.3 credits) – Milan plays four of its next five games at home, which means Mirotic has a chance to showcase his all-around skills in front of very knowledgeable fans. He is posting extremely solid numbers: 20.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and league-leading a PIR of 23.7.

4\. [Nikola Milutinov, Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) (15.3 credits) – Milutinov is putting outstanding numbers until now: 14.0 points, 6.8 fouls drawn and a PIR of 22.5. His value should skyrocket, too, as he is averaging just 5.5 rebounds – low for him – until now. Milutinov is the Reds' new frontcourt leader!

3\. [Mathias Lessort, Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) (15.3 credits) – Some thought Lessort's numbers would go down with so many talented teammates around him. Lessort remains an unstoppable force, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 19.5. A must-have player!

2\. [Toko Shengelia, Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) (13.8 credits) – A bit cheaper than other forwards, Shengelia is playing some of the best basketball of his solid career. He is averaging 18.5 points on 74.1% two-pointers and 50% threes, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and a PIR of 22.2.

1\. [Chima Moneke, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) (12.2 credits) – His value has gone up since the start of the fantasy season, and the sky is the limit for Moneke. In 23 minutes per night, Moneke averages 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.5 fouls and a PIR of 22.0. And all for just 12.2 credits!