Here comes another double-round week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague! For most teams, it is an opportunity to get closer to clinching a playoffs spot. For managers of EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime, it is a double opportunity to get another prize, compete against tens of thousands of basketball fans around the world and – who knows? – get closer to first place in your favorite private league or in the overall standings. Here are some suggestions to consider for your three trades in Fantasy Challenge ahead of Round 27.

 Fantasy Challenge tips: Double-round opportunities! 

Here comes another double-round week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague! For most teams, it is an opportunity to get closer to clinching a playoffs spot. For managers of [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/home), it is a double opportunity to get another prize, compete against tens of thousands of basketball fans around the world and – who knows? – get closer to first place in your favorite private league or in the overall standings. Here are some suggestions to consider for your three trades in Fantasy Challenge ahead of Round 27.

[Vincent Poirier, Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) (8.3 credits) – Walter Tavares sprained his left ankle in a Round 26 win at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne last week. He already missed his team's weekend Spanish League game. If Tavares remains sidelined, Poirier becomes Los Blancos' only available pure center, and he would be playing against his former team, Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, on Tuesday. It should be a big night for him.

[Ignas Brazdeikis, Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ignas-brazdeikis/011983/) (9.3 credits) – In the last five games, Brazdeikis has been Zalgiris's most consistent scorer, replacing injured star Keenan Evans. Indeed, Brazdeikis has scored 15 or more points in each of those games, averaging 17.6 points on 60.0% three-point shooting and a PIR of 16.0. A solid choice.

Vincent Poirier, Ignas Brazdeikis, Paris Lee, Maodo Lo and Facundo Campazzo are featured in this week's article.

Fantasy tips: Regular Season Rounds 27-28

[Paris Lee, Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) (10.4 credits) – First, it is a special game for Lee, as he returns to Salle Gaston Medecin to face Monaco, his former team. He arrives to this game in a great moment, as Lee averaged 19.0 points, 5.0 assists and a PIR of 20.6 in Panathinaikos's last six games. Seeing him face Mike James should be fun. 

[Maodo Lo, ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/maodo-lo/007032/) (10.1 credits) – Lo has struggled with injuries for the entire season but seems to have finally found his rhythm lately. He got 24 points, 3 assists and 3 assists in his team's come-from-behind road win against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Round 25, and followed that up with 17 points and a PIR of 18 against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. It's Lo's time! 

[Facu Campazzo, Crvena Zvezda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (13.4 credits) – Campazzo played his first EuroLeague game with Zvezda and had a solid performance, getting 16 points, 7 assists and a PIR of 12. Campazzo is now set to play his first EuroLeague home game with his current team, and it should be special for him and Zvezda fans!

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-03-08T17:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-03-08T19:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Panathinaikos Athens (2023-03-08T20:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-03-07T19:45:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-03-07T19:30:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2023-03-07T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-03-07T20:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v FC Barcelona (2023-03-07T19:00:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-03-07T19:00:00.000Z)

It is important for professional athletes to put their money to work and make wise investments that guarantee a better future. There are many investment options, and one of the newest choices is NFTs, which stands from non-fungible tokens. Non-fungible means that it cannot be exchanged, even for a copy of the same token. All of them are unique and each has a different value. 

Retin Obasohan, ASVEL: 'I love innovation'

It is important for professional athletes to put their money to work and make wise investments that guarantee a better future. There are many investment options, and one of the newest choices is NFTs, which stands from non-fungible tokens. Non-fungible means that it cannot be exchanged, even for a copy of the same token. All of them are unique and each has a different value. 

NFTs represented as pictures, video clips or digital wearables have become a popular way to invest, by identifying those whose value can grow. [Retin Obasohan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/retin-obasohan/011938/) of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has recently started a NFT collection, making him an enthusiast about why virtual property is on the rise. 

"One of the greatest things I like about NFTs is the communities that they create."

"I love innovation. I love just seeing the way that -- especially in technology, but also across industries -- humans can be creative, innovate and create new technologies and more efficient ways to create experiences. And I kind of got involved with the blockchain a little over maybe the last six or seven years," Obasohan explained. "I started off just in crypto and got involved, started learning about the technology, different companies, different infrastructures and stuff like that. And then that just kind of spilled over to NFTs.

"I think one of the greatest things I like about NFTs is the communities that they create based on the functionality that they provide. And yes, it's been just interesting because I'm learning so much on the fly."

As Obasohan mentioned, there is more to NFTs than just buying and selling. Communities are online groups with limited membership, turning NFTs into much more than just a collector's item. 

"We have a lot of Discord conversations and stuff like that. It's interesting because you get to meet people from all walks of life, all types of industries, and sometimes you can even form meaningful relationships when you want to create something on your own," Obasohan said. "It's been really cool because you are coming in contact with people from all over the world, but you have something in common, usually your NFT, and that kind of creates a common ground for you to start a relationship and conversations."

As for its functionality, Obasohan could go on forever about how NFTs can be really important in the near future. 

"You can basically turn a plane ticket into an NFT in a way that is completely secured and you can't fake it. Season tickets, anything basically can be turned into an NFT, basically your house key, car key. So it's a way to provide authenticity and security on a level that we haven't been able to experience before," he says. "And that's just one side of it. So to me, it's so interesting how NFTs can span from a membership pass into an exclusive restaurant all the way to a way that I can transfer ownership of my apartment or house or car in a secure way without any intermediaries. To me, that's super interesting."

So far, Obasohan is not much into buying or selling NFTs, but collecting. He is approaching this new technology with a lot of care, and doesn't discard making his own NFTs in the future. 

"Father Time comes for everybody... one day you will have to transition out of playing."

"I own a couple of NFTs. I'd say my most precious one is I have a baby ape, a Baby Ape Social Club. It's a social community on the Solana blockchain. I have two, and it's one that's pretty rare, but that just gives me access to the community and different things that they hold: sometimes giveaways, sometimes even in-person events," Obasohan said. "I am starting off with collecting. I just want to get more familiar with the ecosystem, all the possibilities as well. I'm starting to learn and be exposed to all the possibilities that are that are out there, because one day I want to create my own \[NFT\] in a way that I feel like will provide the most value to the people that end up buying it."

Regardless the investment being more traditional or innovative, Obasohan believes it is important to generate income with the money you earn as a professional basketball player. You can only play basketball for a number of years, and it is a well-paid job that can generate a lot of wealth for any player and his family. 

Retin Obasohan is in his first Turkish AIrlines EuroLeague season with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.

2022-23 EuroLeague highlghts: Retin Obasohan. ASVEL

"We are extremely blessed to play this game in basketball, the one that we love. But at the same time, Father Time comes for everybody, so there's a day where you will have to transition out of playing into whatever that may be," Obasohan said. "But that doesn't mean that while you're playing, you shouldn't be maximizing your earning potential in a variety of ways.

"So I think especially as players that are fortunate to make good money or fortunate to play the game, it is in our best interest to make sure we are making wise decisions with our money, especially towards investments to help us secure a good future."

"We got one, we got two. Back to Turkey, that's what we do. Back-to-back, you know what I'm saying?" Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard Shane Larkin gleefully remarked after his team became Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion for the second year in a row.

Back in the 2017-18 season, however, the idea of Efes becoming back-to-back champs would have seemed like a fairytale. Current head coach Ergin Ataman arrived midway during that campaign, and since then the charismatic tactician has been able to take the team to unseen heights, with Efes never having won a European title prior to 2021. Now, the Turkish team is the back-to-back EuroLeague champion.

In "Back 2 Back", the latest work from the Euroleague Basketball Originals documentary team, you are able to join reigning champion Efes on its journey to the 2022 EuroLeague Final Four in Belgrade, Serbia. You are given an inside look at just how Efes secured its second straight European title, with insights from star players such as Larkin and Vasilije Micic, as well Coach Ataman and other key contributors to a historic accomplishment.

Watch episode 2:

However, not all was easy sailing in the 2021-22 season, as Efes struggled in the early part of the campaign. When it looked as though the team's EuroLeague triumph the year before was not going to be repeated, Efes guard Rodrigue Beaubois could not understand what was happening: "We really thought that, at one point, we were able to turn the situation around. But it didn't happen quick at all. It's hard to explain."

Fast forward a few months and Efes had found a way not only to finish in sixth position in the standings but also to beat AX Armani Exchange Milan in the playoffs. The Efes players were feeling confident about themselves afterward, as they had booked their place to the Final Four once again. "It is just what we do now," stated guard Larkin. "That's who we are, that's who we've tried to become, and I think we've earned the right to kind of sit here and say, 'That's just what we do.'"

In its third Final Four appearance in a row, Efes was able to get past Olympiacos Piraeus in the semifinal to reach the championship game, but only after a game-winning buzzer-beating triple by Micic. For the eventual Final Four MVP, playing back in his home country of Serbia, that is a moment he will never forget: "I mean, to make that three-pointer, and in that moment, in Belgrade, it's the best moment so far."

Real Madrid, the 10-time winner of the EuroLeague, was awaiting Efes in Europe's showpiece fixture. There was plenty of star power on the court and on the sidelines in the form of Ataman and Real boss Pablo Laso. It was incredibly difficult to separate the teams on paper, and that remained the case right until the championship game's final moments.

However, before the game, Coach Ataman was convinced that his team would add to their first-ever EuroLeague title: "Play like a champion, because we were the last champion. And don't care about anybody. Play your game, play like a champion, and you will see that we will win again."

Coach Ataman's words rang true when the final buzzer sounded, as Efes beat Real 57-58 to become just the third team this century to win the title back-to-back, joining the Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv teams of 2003-04 and 2004-05 and those of Olympiacos in 2011-12 and 2012-13.

"This is history. This is back-to-back," Coach Ataman stated after Efes secured its second successive EuroLeague crown. Efes made history in 2021, and one year later it did so again.

Re-live Efes's "Back 2 Back" triumph in this [Euroleague Basketball Originals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VpqNWbjUNQ&list=PLXcjy-GNBj1yD8C_VHVemXw_yRtCHmmye) documentary. The Euroleague Basketball Originals documentary series captures the intimacy behind the EuroLeague spotlights and provides full access to the protagonists and the people who know them best.

Watch episode 1:

Euroleague Basketball Originals documentary: "Back 2 Back", episode 2

FC Bayern Munich bolstered its roster by signing power forward Zylan Cheatham for the remainder of the season, the club announced Wednesday. Cheatham (2.03 meters, 27 years old) arrives from Birmingham of the G League, where he averaged 13.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 39 games this season. 

He started his professional career with New Orleans of the NBA and has also played for Erie, Salt Lake City and Iowa of the G League, as well as for Utah of the NBA. Cheatham has been a member of the USA national team, which he represented at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup in Brazil. He is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Bayern.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Überraschung - wir haben noch einmal nachverpflichtet 😉 Welcome to Munich, <a href="https://twitter.com/1KingZ4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1KingZ4</a>! Der Forward hat inzwischen alle medizinischen Tests erfolgreich absolviert. Alle Infos ⤵️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1632750382677110785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bayern adds size with Zylan Cheatham

The latest double-round week is headlined by a huge showdown between leading title candidates, with six other games also having direct implications on the race for the playoffs. Here's your guide to Tuesday and Wednesday's action.

Round 27: Olympiacos-Barca showdown kick-starts double-round week

The latest double-round week is headlined by a huge showdown between leading title candidates, with six other games also having direct implications on the race for the playoffs. Here's your guide to Tuesday and Wednesday's action.

[Olympiacos Piraeus vs. FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/olympiacos-piraeus-fc-barcelona/E2022/236/)

A big battle between second and third could easily serve as a precursor for a Final Four meeting as Olympiacos (18-8) hosts Barcelona (18-8). Olympiacos is looking to recover from last week's heavy loss at Milan, while Barca boasts a five-game winning run and has the additional motivation of winning back the head-to-head advantage after losing 70-80 at home to the Reds earlier this season. A key factor will be the game's rhythm: Olympiacos has the league's highest number of assists, 22.0 per game, while Barca's defense allows an average of just 13.4 assists.

Round 27 at a glance: Olympiacos Piraeus vs. FC Barcelona

[ALBA Berlin vs. Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/alba-berlin-zalgiris-kaunas/E2022/235/)

Faltering Zalgiris (13-13) will look to improve its poor away form with a trip to bottom-placed ALBA (7-19). The Lithuanian team has slipped out of the top eight by losing four straight on the road, and desperately needs to boost its offensive production after failing to reach 80 points in any of the last eight games. ALBA should be the ideal opponent in that quest: the German team has allowed more points than anyone else, 85.3 per game, and was beaten 88-81 when the teams met in Kaunas in November.

[Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/virtus-segafredo-bologna-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2022/239/)

Virtus (12-14) will look to get back on track against a Partizan (14-12) team with its sights set not only on the playoffs but also trying to force its way into the top four. Partizan's potent offense – averaging 84.8 points per game, third best in the league – will be licking its lips at the prospect of facing Virtus, which allowed 104 points against Fenerbahce last week. Specifically, Virtus allowed the Turkish team to strike 20 three-pointers in that game and now has to face Aleksa Avramovic, who hit 5 triples in last week's win over ALBA, so improved perimeter defense is key for Virtus.

[Valencia Basket vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/valencia-basket-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2022/238/)

Milan's (10-15) late surge up the standings will be tested with a trip to playoffs-chasing Valencia (13-13), which is desperate to bounce back after a total collapse at Baskonia last week. Milan's streak of four straight victories – all of which were gained at home – featured a strong run of form from Billy Baron, who averages 13.3 points and 3.5 assists in that span. After allowing at least 91 points in each of the last four games, three of which resulted in defeat, it's no secret that improved defense will be the priority for Valencia.

[Real Madrid vs. Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/real-madrid-cazoo-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2022/240/)

League-leading Real (18-7) will look for a sixth straight win by overcoming visiting Baskonia (14-12), which could surely not be more confident of causing an upset after blasting 114 points against Valencia last week. Real is expected to be without Edy Tavares, who limped off the floor in the team's last EuroLeague game on Friday, so Baskonia could try to gain physical dominance after grabbing an enormous 43 rebounds against Valencia. But Guerschon Yabusele is expected to return for Real at a timely moment considering the likely absence of Tavares.

[FC Bayern Munich vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fc-bayern-munich-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2022/237/)

Bayern (10-16) will aim to keep its slim playoffs chances alive against an ASVEL (8-18) team that has little time left to force its way up the standings. A huge boost for Bayern has been the return to fitness of team leader Vladimir Lucic, who appeared for the first time since Round 10 in last week's win over Zvezda and immediately delivered a big performance with 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field. ASVEL lost by just 1 point to Efes and 4 to Real in its last two games, so its confidence should still be intact for the trip to Bavaria.

Round 27 at a glance: Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2022/243/)

Maccabi's (13-13) excellent home record will be tested with a visit from high-flying Fenerbahce (16-9), which will attempt to protect its top-four position by grabbing a fourth straight victory. The Turkish team has been boosted by the return to fitness of Nemanja Bjelica, who finally played his first game of the season in last week's rout of Virtus. Fenerbahce also has another new face, Tyler Dorsey, who could make his debut in familiar surroundings after first appearing in the competition with two strong seasons at Maccabi between 2019 and 2021.

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2022/242/)

Reigning champ Efes (13-12) is looking to continue its surge up the standings by gaining a third straight road win and inflicting more pain upon host Zvezda (11-15), which is in freefall after losing six of the last seven games. Facundo Campazzo will make his home EuroLeague debut for Zvezda, and his attempt to overcome the strong defensive game of Elijah Bryant will be crucial. The Efes guard has stepped up big time in the absence of injured superstar Vasilije Micic, averaging 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in the last three games.

[AS Monaco vs. Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/as-monaco-panathinaikos-athens/E2022/241/)

Fifth-placed Monaco (16-10) will look to keep the pressure on the current top four by downing Panathinaikos (8-18), which wants to halt a five-game losing run. A key duel will take place between a pair of potent shooters going up against their former teams: Mike James, who starred for Panathinaikos between 2016 and 2018, leads Monaco with 17.0 points per game, while Dwayne Bacon – who spent last season with Monaco – is the top marksman for the Greens with an average of 17.7 points.

FC Bayern Munich v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-03-07T19:45:00.000Z)

With the race for the playoffs heating up, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is having a season to remember in every aspect. That includes the on-court spectacle and also the names of players who are still active and are producing records almost on a weekly basis.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1471365/fantastic-four-making-euroleague-history-in-a-season-to-remember/)

Fantastic four making EuroLeague history in a season to remember

Round 26 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague saw last season's finalists move up in the standings but trends otherwise held up as the march towards the postseason continues. 

Masters of the endangered floaters

Round 26 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague saw last season's finalists move up in the standings but trends otherwise held up as the march towards the postseason continues. 

While there are some big trends driving results around the league right now – like Real Madrid and Olympiacos Piraeus vying for position at the top of the standings and leading the league in defensive efficiency – the finer details of the game are worth a look as well. 

There may not be many details finer than the floater. Also known as runners or teardrops, floaters fill a fairly unique space in the skillsets of EuroLeague players, in part, because not everyone takes them. They account for just 7% of all shot attempts. It is a fairly specific element that is not relevant to everyone but can prove very useful for players who want to score over defenders in the mid-paint area when the need arises. 

Floaters are an art form that some players have mastered but others do not deal in at all. Coming too close to the rim to be a jump shot but not close enough to attempt a layup, they demand a great deal of finesse, touch and timing to get the ball just right over opposing rim protectors. As the table above suggests, there are two players this season who have turned their ability to make floaters into a particularly important part of their offensive production: [Cassius Winston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/cassius-winston/011940/) of FC Bayern Munich and [Nate Wolters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nate-wolters/006555/) Panathinaikos Athens. Both rise quickly for floaters when they get to the elbow area and have scored efficiently there despite often just getting the ball away over the outstretched arms of defenders. 

This is a guard-dominated list. Most big men are more likely to choose a hook shot or drop-step move to the inside than to try a floater, but that does not mean that forwards never master the art of the floater. Indeed, the best modern example is Olympiacos legend Georgios Printezis, who appeared on the list above in numerous seasons and well into the twilight of his career. Of course, on the perimeter, another EuroLeague legend, Juan Carlos Navarro, was so exceptional at the midrange one-hander that his shot got a global nickname, La Bomba.

Floaters by Cassius Winston, Nate Wolters

One of the benefits the players above provide their teams is an ability to score shots where defenses often try to force opposing teams to shoot. EuroLeague players as a whole are converting 42% of their floaters and 40% of their pull-up two-point jump shots this season. Opposing defenses are deliberately giving shooters latitude in the mid-range in an effort to induce low-percentage shots. As such, players who have mastered the midrange game can make defenses second-guess themselves.

While floaters may not move the dial in the standings week-to-week, it is worth appreciating the players who master what is becoming a fairly unique element of the game.

**EUROLEAGUE EXPLORERS**: Fenerbahce forward Nigel Hayes-Davis used a few days off to go to Marrakech, Morocco. Partizan's Ioannis Papapetrou also managed to get away for a few days last weekend.

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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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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/CpNGT0NDMRp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Nigel Hayes-Davis (@nigel_hayes)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpKY_-PNrnj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpKY_-PNrnj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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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/CpKY_-PNrnj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Ioannis Papapetrou (@pap_33)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**KYLE KNOWS**: Only one player in EuroLeague history has [more EuroLeague Final Four appearances](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=GamesPlayed&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF) than four-time champion Kyle Hines. So, Kyle knows a thing or two about the Final Four.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There is no better experience than the <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> Final Four 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/YeZtRF3UPQ">https://t.co/YeZtRF3UPQ</a></p>&mdash; Kyle Hines (@SirHines) <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines/status/1630260338305167360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**BBALL ADVICE**: Former EuroCup player Tomasz Gielo and former EuroLeague and EuroCup swingman Dylan Ennis posted threads with a bunch of great advice for players and athletes, young and old. Many current and former players, including Real Madrid's Fabien Causeur, shared the posts and encouraged everyone to read them.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This thread needs more love. Great job <a href="https://twitter.com/canadiankidDJE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@canadiankidDJE</a> 🎩 <a href="https://t.co/ErJdbMEtsV">https://t.co/ErJdbMEtsV</a></p>&mdash; Fabien Causeur (@FCauseur1) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCauseur1/status/1631285208250040321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What I wish I knew as a 20-year old basketball player that I know now at 30 🧵<br><br>(1,4 &amp; 5 might surprise you) <a href="https://t.co/klsFKN9KxQ">pic.twitter.com/klsFKN9KxQ</a></p>&mdash; Tomasz Gielo (@TGielo) <a href="https://twitter.com/TGielo/status/1629808962806718464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**VIRTUAL REALITY**: Olympiacos players loved the VR-experience. You can, too, on EuroLeagueTV.

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**KEEPING AN EYE**: Bogdan Bogdanovic wished luck to his countryman Nemanja Bjelica who played for the first time this season, while Michael Roll had a goat emoticon for another milestone Kyle Hines achieved.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome back Champ! <a href="https://twitter.com/NemanjaBjelica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NemanjaBjelica</a> 😁🙌 <a href="https://t.co/ywae2HIPDC">https://t.co/ywae2HIPDC</a></p>&mdash; Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeaderOfHorde/status/1631738835498422273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">🐐 <a href="https://t.co/LtWyntDxww">https://t.co/LtWyntDxww</a></p>&mdash; Michael Roll (@Mreezy20) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mreezy20/status/1631770435267469312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**HELLO GOOD FRIENDS**: There are many connections between Barcelona and Zalgiris. One of them is Zalgiris forward Rolands Smits. He was back in Barcelona this week to face his former team, and his former teammates who gave him a warm welcome. In case you did not know, no player has played more [games over the past three seasons](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&fromSeasonCode=E2020&toSeasonCode=E2022&category=GamesPlayed&seasonMode=Range&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=) than Smits.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Hello, Fellas! Part. 1 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/2LkHjcpymF">pic.twitter.com/2LkHjcpymF</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1631280685636898816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Hello, Fellas! Part. 2 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/8Qkn8QGQbZ">pic.twitter.com/8Qkn8QGQbZ</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1631280808341250051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**WINNERS' CORNER**: The end of the regular season is getting closer, but the playoff race is only getting tighter, especially after Milan's win over Olympiacos.

EuroLeague week on Social Media

Not only has Mathias Lessort been a key player for his team on the floor, but he has also developed a special relationship with the Partizan faithful.

Fan-favortie Lessort at the heart of it all for Partizan

Thursday's night 88-74 win over visiting ALBA Berlin was a relatively quiet night for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), whose 10 points and 6 rebounds were both below his season averages. Nonetheless, Lessort's PIR of 18 was the highest on the team as it improved to 14-12 on the season and 9-4 at home.

 

Not only has Lessort been a key player for his team on the floor, but he has also developed a special relationship with the Partizan faithful. As has become a tradition after wins at Stark Arena, after the game Partizan players went into the stands and celebrated the victory with the die-hards. And as usual, Lessort was at the heart of it all. 

 

It is a post-game party that takes place behind the basket on the home team's side of the floor. Led by Lessort and team captain Kevin Punter, players jump the fence, grab the megaphone and start leading the chants, well-known to every Partizan fan, while the rest of the stands join in, going wild.

 

In addition to its domestic players, Partizan has Americans, an Israeli, an Australian, a Greek and a Frenchman on the team, and they have all made effort to learn the words of the chants.

Lessort leads Partizan fans chants!

But in the middle of it all is Lessort. With a huge smile on his 2.06-meter frame, he approaches the celebrations with the same joy and effort he displays during games.

Lessort is not just having a career season, but he is among the league's best players, ranking second in average PIR (20.4 per game). The big man is tied for the league lead with seven double-doubles this season, ranks second in rebounding (7.3 rpg.) and has scored in double figures in 21 games, averaging 12.8 points. All the numbers are career-highs. 

 

And he is enjoying the relationship he has forged with Partizan's supporters. In fact, earlier this season, [Lessort took part in a wedding](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/lessort-serves-as-best-man-at-partizan-fans-wedding/) as the best man of two Partizan fans. 

 

His high energy, non-stop motor and effort have been recognized by the fans. In turn, Lessort embraced the love he's felt from the stands and used his positive personality to make that connection more personal.

 

It's a bond that only grows stronger. Lessort and Partizan will need all that support during the final stretch of the season as the team will try to make a push to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010, the year when Partizan also last played in the Final Four.