ALBA Berlin grabbed an 88-71 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Thursday at the Mercedes-Benz Arena to end its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season in style. ALBA improved to 11-23 and ASVEL recorded its 13th straight defeat to drop to 8-26. Luke Sikma and Louis Olinde led five double-digit ALBA scorers with 12 points each. Johannes Thiemann added 11, with Ben Lammers and Jaleen Smith scoring 10 apiece. Youssoupha Fall paired his 14 points and Nando de Colo 13 points for ASVEL.

 ALBA cruises past ASVEL, 88-71 

ALBA Berlin grabbed an 88-71 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Thursday at the Mercedes-Benz Arena to end its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season in style. The visitors put up a good fight in the first half, but a dominant ALBA scored 50 points after the break to seal its second successive victory. ALBA improved to 11-23 and could potentially finish 15th if both Panathinaikos and Bayern Munich lose in this last round. Bottom-placed ASVEL recorded its 13th straight defeat to drop to 8-26.

Luke Sikma and Louis Olinde led five double-digit ALBA scorers with 12 points each. Johannes Thiemann added 11, with Ben Lammers and Jaleen Smith scoring 10 apiece. Youssoupha Fall paired his 14 points with 6 rebounds for the losing side. Nando de Colo added 13 points and Jonah Mathews had 12, all of which were scored in the second half. 

Game Videos

ALBA got off to a solid start, as Maodo Lo sank a triple and set up Sikma for an early 5-0 run. The visitors bounced back after a slow start, with Alex Tyus registering 6 consecutive points to allow ASVEL to trim down the deficit to 9-8. This is when ALBA received an important boost from the bench, as Thiemann was brought on to score 5 unanswered points for a 14-8 ALBA lead. Fall, dominant in the paint, made it 20-16 after 10 minutes. Thiemann took his tally to 9 points with Yovel Zoosman hitting a triple and setting up Smith for an easy layup to boost ALBA's lead to 28-23. After a timeout, De Colo scored from behind the arc to bring ASVEL within 32-28. Charles Kahudi tied the game with an easy layup, 32-32, but ALBA managed to take a narrow 38-36 lead into halftime.

ASVEL hit the ground running in the second half, with David Lighty hitting a three-pointer his team's first lead, 38-39. ALBA bounced back with 8 unanswered points through Zoosman, Lammers and Olinde for the largest lead until then, 52-44. ASVEL tried to fight back, with Mathews scoring 6 in a row to bring the guests within 58-52 with 3 minutes left in the third quarter. Lo scored a stunning one-legged jump shot to beat the third-quarter buzzer and secure a 65-54 lead for ALBA heading into the last quarter. That is when ALBA's team work paid dividends, with the hosts finding easy points and making the most of their second-chance opportunities to boost the lead to 15 points, 80-65, with under 7 minutes left. ASVEL had no response in the closing stages and ALBA celebrated its 11th win with its fans in its last game of the EuroLeague season.

Game News

ALBA cruises past ASVEL, 88-71

ALBA Berlin v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-04-13T17:00:00.000Z)

When it comes to setting up and serving teammates for a score, two of the best Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players in that department will go against one another in regular-season finale on Thursday when Facundo Campazzo and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade host Nick Calathes and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

Head-to-head: Campazzo, Zvezda vs. Calathes, Fenerbahce

When it comes to setting up and serving teammates for a score, two of the best Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players in that department will go against one another in regular-season finale on Thursday when [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade host [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

Calathes is the EuroLeague career leader with 1,872 assists, and among other marks, he also holds the EuroLeague single-season record with 286 total assists, set in the 2018-19 campaign. On the other hand, Campazzo, who is a two-time EuroLeague champion with Real Madrid in 2015 and 2018, owns a share of the EuroLeague single-game record thanks to his 19 assists, a mark he reached playing for Real Madrid against ALBA Berlin in February 2020.

Their clash on Thursday will make it a dozen times that they have met on EuroLeague courts, too. Interestingly, Campazzo made his rookie debut with Real Madrid on the road against Calathes and Panathinaikos Athens in January 2015, but spent less than 2 minutes on the floor in that one.

Since the 2017-18 season, the two have gone head-to-head in the EuroLeague 10 times. Campazzo was with Real in all those games, while Calathes played nine of those fixtures in a Panathinaikos jersey and the last one with FC Barcelona in October 2020.

That last time, Calathes helped Barcelona to a win, which was only the second time Calathes was on the winning end when Campazzo has been on the opposite side in their games. The first one was in Panathinaikos's 82-80 victory over Real in November 2017, when Calathes had 12 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds. The eight games in between saw Campazzo celebrating victories with Real, including a 3-0 sweep of Panathinaikos in the 2019 playoffs.

In those 10 contests, Campazzo holds the edge over Calathes, averaging more assists (6.6 apg.) and steals (1.9 spg.) while scoring less (10.4 ppg.) despite shooting better percentage-wise. Calathes has scored more (12.3 ppg.) and had a slight edge in rebounding (4.2 rpg.) in those games.

This season, Calathes has started all 33 games so far and has averaged 8.1 points, a ninth-ranked 4.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals. 

Campazzo has been playing in his first season since with Zvezda since March, so his eight appearances are not enough to qualify for the season rankings, but on this current pace he would have ranked second in assists (6.2 apg.) and steals (1.9 spg.), and fourth in average PIR (18.2).

On Thursday night, Calathes and Fenerbahce will have plenty more to play for with the team's playoff hopes on the line. But Campazzo and Zvezda would love nothing more to play a role of a spoiler and continue with their good performances and end their season on a five-game winning streak. With such high stakes, and two of EuroLeague's best playmakers on the floor, it's a matchup you don't want to miss.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-04-13T17:00:00.000Z)

Here you can find all the latest injury news surrounding all rostered players in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. 

EuroLeague injury report

Check out all injuries and absences expected in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague before Round 34:

**ALBA Berlin**

Marcus Eriksson is out indefinitely due to a leg injury.

Tamir Blatt is out indefinitely with a thumb injury.

Christ Koumadje will be a game-time decision due to a knee injury.

**Anadolu Efes Istanbul**

Bryant Dunston has not played since Round 29 due to injury and will not play in Round 34.

Dogus Balbay is out long-term after undergoing surgery on his left hip.

Vasilije Micic missed a domestic game last weekend due to a back problem.

Chris Singleton is a last-minute absence against Monaco.

**AS Monaco**

Chima Moneke did not play since Round 32 and did not make the trip for Round 34 due to injury.

Jordan Loyd did not make the trip for Round 34 due to personal reasons.

**Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz**

Tadas Sedekerskis (muscle discomfort) remains sidelined indefinitely.

[Pierria Henry](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-henry-suspend-their-agreement/) is unavailable until further notice.

**Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade**

All Zvezda players are thought to be available for Round 34.

**EA7 Emporio Armani Milan**

Nicolo Melli will not play in Round 34 due to illness.

Shabazz Napier will not play in Round 34 due to illness

Paul Biligha has been deactivated from Milan's roster.

**FC Barcelona**

Tomas Satoransky did not play in the Spanish League over the weekend due to a foot injury.

Mike Tobey did not play in the Spanish League over the weekend.

**FC Bayern Munich**

Othello Hunter (back) missed the last five games.

D.J. Seeley missed the last EuroLeague game with a back injury.

Cassius Winston missed the last four EuroLeague gamesgames.

[Augustine Rubit](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/bayerns-rubit-out-indefinitely/) is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for an Achilles injury.

Elias Harris has not played since Round 21 due to a foot injury.

**Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul**

Nemanja Bjelica missed Round 33 and will also miss Round 34 with an injury.

[Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahces-booker-out-three-weeks/) suffered a knee injury in Round 31 and he is expected to miss up to four weeks.

[Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahces-wilbekin-sidelined-with-knee-injury/) will remain sidelined until at least late April with a knee injury.

[Metecan Birsen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahces-metecan-birsen-out-six-weeks/) remains sidelined with injury.

Samet Geyik and Ismet Akpinar are deactivated due to coach's decision.

**LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne**

Amine Noua has not played in the last three EuroLeague games..

[Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvels-lauvergne-suffers-torn-acl/) is out indefinitely due to a torn ACL.

**Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv**

[Jalen Adams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/maccabis-adams-out-for-season-after-shoulder-surgery/), who last played in Round 26, is likely out for the season following shoulder surgery.

Austin Hollins has not played since Round 21 due to a knee injury.

[Alex Poythress ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/maccabi-loses-poythress-for-at-least-four-months/?pageTitle=Maccabi%20Playtika%20Tel%20Aviv&historyUrl=/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/tel/)remains sidelined since Round 11 with a broken hand.

**Olympiacos Piraeus**

Isaiah Canaan, on parental leave last week, returned to action in the Greek League last weekend.

**Panathinaikos Athens**

Mateusz Ponitka has missed the last four EuroLeague games with an ankle injury.

Nate Wolters has missed the last three games with a knee injury.

Lefteris Mantzoukas missed the last Greek League game with an ankle sprain.

**Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade**

[Balsa Koprivica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/partizan-announces-injuries-to-exum-koprivica/) is out indefinitely with mononucleosis.

**Real Madrid**

Anthony Randolph made his EuroLeague season debut in Round 33.

[Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/real-madrid-sergio-llull-out-indefinitely-with-knee-injury/?pageTitle=Real%20Madrid&historyUrl=/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) is nearing his return after a knee injury.

Rudy Fernandez returned to practice after an illness.

Carlos Alocen (knee) is out indefinitely.

Nigel Williams-Goss did not travel for Round 34.

Vincent Poirier did not play in Round 33. His status for Round 34 is uncertain.

**Valencia Basket**

Bojan Dubljevic is expected to be available in Round 34 after recovering from a right ankle injury.

[Klemen Prepelic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencia-prepelic-out-4-weeks/) will miss four weeks due to a leg injury.

[Sam Van Rossom](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencias-van-rossom-to-undergo-knee-surgery/) is out indefinitely due to a knee injury.

Millan Jimenez, sidelined for a long period of time due to an ankle problem, has returned to practice.

**Virtus Segafredo Bologna**

Isaia Cordinier has not played since Round 23 due to a foot injury. He is still out.

Milos Teodosic and Alessandro Pajola, who last played in Round 29, have returned to practices.

Awudu Abass will not play in Round 34.

**Zalgiris Kaunas**

[Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-evans-suffers-torn-achilles/) will miss the rest of the season after suffering an Achilles injury.

[Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiriss-tyler-cavanaugh-out-more-three-months/) (back) will remain out until late April after undergoing back surgery.

Liutauras Lelevicius is sidelined with a leg injury.

Injury report, Round 34

FC Bayern Munich v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-04-14T18:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Panathinaikos Athens (2023-04-14T18:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Valencia Basket (2023-04-14T18:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v AS Monaco (2023-04-14T17:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2023-04-13T18:45:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Real Madrid (2023-04-13T18:05:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-04-13T18:00:00.000Z)

Although there have been several basketball players who have used boxing training to better themselves on the floor, including Real Madrid's Guerschon Yabusele, there is a reason that the sweet science is rarely used as a metaphor for basketball. 

Many scenarios at play when Maccabi faces Real Madrid

Although there have been several basketball players who have used boxing training to better themselves on the floor, including Real Madrid's Guerschon Yabusele, there is a reason that the sweet science is rarely used as a metaphor for basketball.

One is a team sport, where five players work together on the floor with seven more potential reserves to spell them. The other is mano a mano, two combatants alone leaving it all in the ring. In basketball, there are 40 minutes to use wisely and a team can rally from a deficit through strategy or stamina. In boxing, a knockout punch can end a bout at any given second.

But for today, let’s focus on another reason. The best basketball teams are focused on the goal at hand, but over the course of a game or season, that focus can wander. The key is to focus in again during the key moments. In boxing, if you lose focus for a second, you could wind up dazed on the mat, knocked out.

[The Round 34 duel between Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-real-madrid/E2022/301/) is a contest between true EuroLeague heavyweights with rich histories who will be dividing their desire to win with split focusses on Thursday.

Both teams have already locked up their playoff participation, but neither has secured a final spot in the standings. Moreover, neither team controls its destiny; other games being played at the same time could affect the final positioning. And that final position could find Real in second place and Maccabi in seventh… or Real in third and Maccabi in sixth.

In both of those scenarios, these two teams would reconvene again in 10 days for Game 1 of the playoffs. And rest assured, both Real’s head coach Chus Mateo and his Maccabi counterpart Oded Kattash will wish to keep some of their tricks and strategies in their back pockets before a potential playoff showdown.

Real Madrid - Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 17 | Highlights

First, let's take a look at what would have to happen. Real will be second in either of the following two scenarios. If it beats Maccabi and Olympiacos Piraeus wins its game against Cazoo Baskonia Vitroia-Gasteiz… OR if it loses to Maccabi and FC Barcelona falls against Valencia Basket. 

For Real to face Maccabi in the matchup of the second-placed team versus the seventh, Maccabi would have to be seventh. There are many different situations in which that can happen, whether or not Maccabi wins or loses. The lone scenario in which Maccabi will control its fate will be if Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul loses at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. Then Maccabi can place fifth with a win. If Fenerbahce wins – or Maccabi loses – the Israeli side will be at the mercy of up to three other results. 

Timing is important here. [Maccabi vs. Real tips at 20:05 CEST](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-real-madrid/E2022/301/). The game between Olympiacos and Baskonia begins just 5 minutes earlier. Zvezda and Fenerbahce commence at 19:00. 

At halftime in Tel Aviv, when Maccabi and Real retire to their respective locker rooms, what will news of the result in Belgrade have on Maccabi? Would a Fenerbahce win dispirit Coach Kattash's charges and doom them in the second half? Would a Fenerbahce loss inspire Maccabi to a big second half? And how will news of the halftime score from Piraeus impact Real? Would a flat start that saw the Reds trailing boost Los Blancos? What about the opposite? Would a big Olympiacos lead at the break deflate Real?

And here's where we come full circle to the boxing analogy. In boxing, there are no other results. There can be no distractions. There is strategy, perhaps holding off the use of a certain move to later in the fight or baiting an opponent into an opening, but there is no waiting till tomorrow. It's two men in the ring and only one victor.

When Maccabi faces Real, the teams will be lining up, five men against five men. But at halftime, their thoughts will naturally turn to scores in Belgrade and Piraeus. Certain plays or matchups might be held back in case these teams do face off again in the playoffs. Of course, both teams want to win, but this is not the game for the heavyweight championship. 

That game will take place at Zalgirio Arena on May 21. It's called the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game. That’s the game for all the cliches; where there is no tomorrow and the players leave it all on the floor. 

This Round 34 duel could have as much strategy as any other game and keep all of that in mind as you follow because the coaches and players are sure to understand the deep significance of this result as it plays out.

Fantasy Challenge, Round 34: On to the playoffs!

The Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season comes to an end with three teams fighting for two playoffs spots, and most qualified teams (all but AS Monaco, locked into fourth place) fighting for a better spot in the final standings. Just as with the EuroLeague season, it is not the end of the road for the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/home?_ga=2.71004496.1731050278.1681152655-884385655.1669721726). For the first time, the competition continues throughout the playoffs and the Final Four. Unlimited trading will be allowed after this round to help Fantasy Challenge managers adjust their teams accordingly. 

Round 33 was a good one for my team, Gancedato. I chose the perfect captain in Darius Thompson of Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, and a good coach in Joan Penarroya. They combined for 99.2 points, even when they were a popular choice a captain and coach. Other than Will Clyburn of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, who scored 24 fantasy points, no one else did great, but it was enough to get 179.45 points. That helped my team climb in the standings to rank 1,828th overall. It is a good opporunity to get closer to the top 1,500, so I have to be very careful with my trades. 

For the last time this season, three trades are allowed before Round 34. After that, unlimited trading will be open until the end of the season. You can additionally trade your head coach in between rounds, too. Baskonia faces Olympiacos Piraeus on the road, so I am letting Penarroya go. Instead, in order to save some credits, I am choosing Israel Gonzalez of ALBA Berlin. ALBA faces another eliminated team, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, but plays at home and surely wants to finish the season with a good result. I am selling Josh Nebo of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv because his team plays Real Madrid, featuring Walter Tavares. I am selling Paris Lee of Panathinaikos Athens and Jaron Blossomgame of Monaco, too. 

My first addition is [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. His team qualifies to the playoffs with a win against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, regardless of other scores, and [Ben Bentil](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/benjamin-bentil/009818/) is unavailable, so Motley should have a good game. I don't have a lot of credits for the other two players but I think I found two good options. [Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has been on fire recently and at 6.0 credits, I like his chances against Panathinaikos Athens. Finally, I am buying [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) of Virtus Segafredo Bologna because he has been rock-solid in the last five or six rounds. I am sure Virtus wants to go out with a big win in the Italian derby, too. 

You can take a look at my team here:

As you can see, my team features six players whose teams play on Thursday, with Motley as provisional team captain, and four more on Friday, including potential starters Clyburn and Nikola Mirotic of Barca. I am playing the 2-1-2 lineup because if you have a center at the sixth man spot, you cannot really take him out of there. I should be very competitive with this lineup, especially if ALBA wins big and Coach Gonzalez gives me extra points. 

Remember, the 2022-23 EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime features better prizes than ever, so get your game on now!

And don't forget to use #fantasychallenge on social media all season long. Good luck!

Fantasy Challenge, Round 34: On to the playoffs! 

When Nigel Hayes-Davis first arrived in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Zalgiris Kaunas in 2019, the 28-year-old was known as just Nigel Hayes. But, ahead of the 2021-22 season, following a move to FC Barcelona, EuroLeague fans would have noticed a change to the name on his jersey. He now went by Nigel Hayes-Davis. The current Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul star added Davis to his surname in order to pay homage to his stepfather, Albert Davis.

Nigel Hayes-Davis, Fenerbahce: 'The greatest man I've ever known'

When [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) first arrived in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Zalgiris Kaunas in 2019, the 28-year-old was known as just Nigel Hayes. But, ahead of the 2021-22 season, following a move to FC Barcelona, EuroLeague fans would have noticed a change to the name on his jersey. He now went by Nigel Hayes-Davis. The current Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul star added Davis to his surname in order to pay homage to his stepfather, Albert Davis.

As Hayes-Davis explains in an interview with Euroleague Basketball, his appreciation for the role his stepfather played in his development in all areas of his life – on and off the court – is something that he will forever be grateful for. Hayes-Davis, who in his first season with Fenerbahce is currently enjoying his best EuroLeague campaign to date, having set personal bests for points (345), rebounds (142), assists (48), steals (40) and PIR (440), states that he would not be where he is today without the help of his stepfather.

"Through the journey and aging and understanding, I...grew to double, triple my appreciation for my stepfather."

"When you get older, you get wiser, you get a better understanding, a better appreciation \[of life\]. And me, becoming an independent man, taking care of myself, my family, when I'm in a relationship or was in a relationship, you see the things that you have to do to take care of people and those around you," Hayes-Davis says.

"Through the journey and aging and understanding, I was able to better understand even more in depth and grew to double, triple my appreciation for my stepfather, who is Albert Davis, which is where the name comes from. Just seeing what he did, marrying my mother, a woman divorced with four children, and he married her and took care of all of us and her like we were his own children. Without him, I wouldn't be here interviewing with you, so it's also to pay respect to him for… People see my name in the media and basketball, for them to also see his last name, because without him I wouldn't be able to be here.

"And it also allows me also to tell everyone who asks me: 'Why did you change your last name?' And then I can always tell people: because my stepfather is the greatest man I've ever known."

Albert Davis first entered Nigel's life when he was still a young boy, and he was the one who first led the Fenerbahce forward to start to think about basketball in a different way. Hayes-Davis has regularly been praised for his on-court intelligence by his coaches throughout his EuroLeague career, and he puts that down to the hours he spent with his stepfather watching NBA games.

"\[He's entered my life\] probably when I was six or seven, so he's been there for the long haul. He's been tremendous, and it was him who got me to be into basketball and understand the game the way I do now," Hayes-Davis explains.

"A lot of coaches I've played for and a lot of people comment on my intelligence of basketball and how well I can read the game, and that's a credit to him. From when I was younger, he kind of made me – not made me – but when we watched NBA games growing up, he would have me make sure I listened to the commentators, make sure I listened to what people were saying about the game, and why they were doing this and why they were doing that. You know, all of that teaching and instructing that he did with me helped me to be where I am now."

Although he has a very close relationship with his stepfather, it took Hayes-Davis a little while to warm up to having Albert around. Nevertheless, as the years went by, Hayes-Davis's admiration for his stepfather grew and grew, and was epitomized by one moment during his college days at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

"I think, when I was younger, it was that stereotypical 'You're not my dad, my real dad', and then you're trying to date my mother, so you see in the movies and stuff, it's the son that's protective of his mother and everything. And then, as you get older, it changes. And the change depends upon the man, like I said," he recalls.

"As I've grown up and watched the things that he's done for my family – for myself and for my mother – that's why I say he's the greatest man I've ever known. And the example I always give people is: I had a game in college and my mother obviously wanted to watch me play, so he drove from Ohio to Wisconsin, which is about a six-and-a-half-hour drive, so that my mother could watch the game. Watched the game, they left, drove six and a half hours back and then he went to work and worked a 12-hour shift at Chrysler, which if people don't know is an auto manufacturing plant, so it's not easy work. It's not like he's sitting at a desk – he's working. So, he did all of that, and any man who is willing to do that for his wife to see her child – and a child that's not his – like I said, the greatest man I've ever known."

"A lot of people back home see him as my father and they don't even know that he is my stepfather."

So, when Hayes-Davis took the decision to legally change his name from Nigel Hayes to Nigel Hayes-Davis, how did his stepfather react?

"He was more just in shock, I think. I think he had more of a reaction with my mother when they were in private about it," he states. "I was just at my mother's house and I showed him the official documents that were stating that I'd changed my last name to add his last name, but he definitely appreciates it.

"Again, we have a fantastic relationship and a lot of people back home see him as my father and they don't even know that he is my stepfather now at this point. So, it's just been fantastic. Like I said, he's the greatest man I've ever known. To do what he did – to take care of me and my siblings, and the job he does taking care of my mother… She's the greatest woman I've ever known, but she can be very difficult at times and he handles all of us with grace, love and patience, and he does an amazing job of that."

Fenerbahce fans have been able to enjoy Hayes-Davis's excellent performances in the team's famous yellow and blue jersey this season, but without Albert Davis, Nigel might never have got to this point. His life, both personally and as a basketball player, has been positively impacted by his stepfather and it's for this reason that his jersey bears a compound surname: Hayes-Davis.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul’s reign after two back-to-back titles, one more Final Four, and a big what-if in the season which ended prematurely due to COVID, is officially over. However, the stamp of this version of Anadolu Efes on European basketball will be remembered for years to come.

Despite missing out on a historic three-peat, Anadolu Efes not only won but did it by presenting a free-flowing game that could break the back of any opponent. Ergin Ataman created an environment that gave unusual European standards of freedom to his players and the end result was one of the most spectacular EuroLeague teams ever.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1488529/five-efes-games-that-changed-the-way-basketball-is-viewed-in-europe/)

Five Efes games that changed the way basketball is viewed in Europe

Olympiacos Piraeus announced on Wednesday a contract extension of guard [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walkup-thomas/008855/), which will keep the two sides together until the end of the 2026-27 season. Walkup (1.93 meters, 30 years old) leads the league in steals (1.9 spg.) and ranks fourth in assists (5.8 apg.) this season. That's in addition to averaging 8.2 points and 2.8 rebounds this campaign, his fifth in the competition, during which he has helped his team enter regular-season finale in a share of league's best record.

The signing of Walkup is second contract extension for Olympiacos in as many days, after penning his backcourt teammate [Shaquielle McKissic to a new deal](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-extends-swingman-mckissic-until-2025/) on Tuesday.

Walkup made his EuroLeague debut with Zalgiris in the 2018-19 season, and has spent three seasons there before joining Olympiacos in the summer of 2021. During his time in Piraeus, Walkup has started in all 70 of his appearances for the Reds, and has helped them reach the 2022 EuroLeague Final Four. He averages 7.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 166 career games in the competition.

Walkup also won Greek League and Greek Cup titles last season, and Greek Cup earlier this year with Olympiacos, and three Lithuanian League titles with Zalgiris. He has made his professional debut with Windy City in the G-League, before coming over to Europe and spending a season with Ludwigsburg in Germany.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">✍️🏾 Olympiacos BC announces the extension of its collaboration with <a href="https://twitter.com/twalkup23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@twalkup23</a> through 2027! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a><a href="https://t.co/IZQVIoWu5Z">https://t.co/IZQVIoWu5Z</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1646109963373125633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Olympiacos extends Walkup long term

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season reaches its end and brings several critical games. In one of them, when Olympiacos Piraeus (23-10) hosts Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (18-15) at Peace and Friendship Stadium on Thursday, both teams play for important, if different, goals. 

Olympiacos, Baskonia fight for big goals

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season reaches its end and brings several critical games. In one of them, when [Olympiacos Piraeus (23-10) hosts Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (18-15)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/olympiacos-piraeus-cazoo-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2022/300/) at Peace and Friendship Stadium on Thursday, both teams play for important, if different, goals. 

This is what's at stake: Olympiacos looks to clinch first place and Baskonia will probably need a win to make it to the playoffs. Olympiacos will lock up first place with a victory or if Real Madrid (23-10) loses against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (19-14) in a game that tips off 5 minutes later. 

Currently ranked eighth, Baskonia will qualify for the playoffs with a win, regardless of other scores. It will also advance if it loses and FC Bayern Munich (11-22) downs Zalgiris Kaunas (18-15). If it loses and Zalgiris wins, Baskonia will be eliminated for the playoffs race. 

It should be a special game for Olympiacos forward [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/), who played for Baskonia in each of the last two seasons. He is one of 13 players that wore both jerseys in the Euroleague. Only one of them, Ioannis Bourousis, was able to take both Olympiacos and Baskonia to the Final Four. Arvydas Macijauskas earned 2004-05 All-Euroleague First Team honors with Baskonia, leading his team to the 2005 championship game, and played for Olympiacos before injuries forced him to retire. Other notable players who wore both jerseys are Wade Baldwin, Ruben Wolkowysky, Taylor Rochestie, Mirza Begic and Doron Perkins. 

Baskonia has been one of the best teams at home this season with a 14-3 record, but struggled on the road, winning just 4 of 16 games. At Buesa Arena, Baskonia averages a league-best 96.1 points, hitting 60.4% of its two-point shots and going 41.8% from downtown. On the road, Baskonia averages 77.4 points and ranks 17th in three-point shooting (30.8%). 

There are many matchups in this game but the one at the point guard position stands out. Baskonia's [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) is having an outstanding debut season, leading the 2022-23 EuroLeague in assists at 6.7 per game. Stopping Thompson should be a priority for Olympiacos, which has the right man for this job. [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) is one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the world, and leads the competition in steals (1.9 spg.). Both players have similar numbers but different playing style: Thompson thrives in transition while Walkup is a great pick-and-roll player in half-court offenses. 

When these teams faced each other in Round 4, each entered the game with a 3-0 record. Olympiacos rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Baskonia 92-97 at Buesa Arena behind 26 points from [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) and 20 from [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/). [Maik Kotsar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/maik-kotsar/004603/) led Baskonia with 16 points. Sloukas, Walkup and [Giannoulis Larentzakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/giannoulis-larentzakis/010392/) combined on 8 of 8 free throws in the final 80 seconds to make sure the Reds returned home with a valuable victory. 

Historically speaking, Baskonia has struggled at Peace and Friendship Stadium. Baskonia is 4-18 on the road against Olympiacos, losing against the Reds in 16 of its last 17 trips to Piraeus. Its last victory, however, is quite recent. Baskonia defeated Olympiacos 76-90 on November 26, 2020 with 18 points from Zoran Dragic. 

When it comes to do-or-die games, Baskonia always prevailed, sweeping Olympiacos in the 2001 and 2007 playoffs. Fun fact: Despite combining for 16 Final Four appearances – 17, if you count Baskonia reaching the 2001 Finals – these teams have never played in the same one. 

There is a possibility that Olympiacos and Baskonia will face each other again in the playoffs, but we will find that out at the end of the round. In the meantime, EuroLeague fans have a chance to enjoy a top-class showdown with a lot at stake!

Olympiacos Piraeus hosts Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 34, giving Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans the chance to see Thomas Walkup play against Darius Thompson!