On his Valencia Basket debut, he was instrumental in his team defeating last season's Final Four semifinalist.
Semi Ojeleye stepped up to power Valencia past Monaco
Article
3 Mins read
Valencia Basket ground out an industrious yet impressive 70-65 win over AS Monaco in their Turkish Airlines EuroLeague opener on Friday, as forward Semi Ojeleye shined on his debut for the Spanish side after joining them from Virtus Segafredo Bologna during the close season.
Ojeleye paced Valencia with 19 points and drove his team to victory against last season’s surprise package, as Monaco had defied the odds to reach the Final Four in Kaunas. A new-look Valencia trailed by 8 points in the third quarter (43-51) and also stared at defeat in the closing stages of the rip-roaring encounter (61-63), with the lead changing hands time and again in La Fonteta.
Chris Jones was also key
However, Chris Jones buried a clutch three-pointer amid a 9-0 Valencia run which forced the final twist, with Ojeleye and Stefan Jovic then sinking 4 free throws to put Monaco to the sword. Jones was also instrumental in Valencia’s success with 14 points and the hosts prevailed despite committing a staggering 20 turnovers. However, they also racked up 38 rebounds to Monaco’s 29, having also produced four blocks.
Monaco was overly reliant on Mike James, who paced all scorers with 21 points, with Elie Okobo adding 17 for the visitors. Their big men Donatas Moteijunas, Donta Hall and Alpha Diallo lost the battle in the paint against more energetic rivals, who always seemed to be a step ahead to the boards at both ends of the court. The visitors also sorely missed long-term casualty Jordan Loyd, who will be out of action for at least two months with a back injury, as well as NBA stalwart Kemba Walker, who is not back to full fitness.
“It’s unacceptable in a EuroLeague game to allow the opponent to have so many offensive rebounds and convert them into points,” Monaco head coach Sasa Obradovic said during his post-game press conference. “This game was decided by one or two loose balls which went Valencia’s way and we can’t complain. As for Kemba Walker, he’s had one practice session with the team.”
Ojeleye, Robertson provided a 'spark'
Valencia coach Alex Mumbru praised his team for a valiant effort. “We knew it was going to be a very difficult and physical game. We dominated the boards, but had too many turnovers. We fell behind in the third quarter, but we got the spark from three-pointers by Semi Ojeleye and Kassius Robertson. A full house in La Fonteta lifted them and I am very happy for the team.”
If Ojeleye’s debut was this good, Valencia fans should be in for a treat. It surely won’t be too long before we see his No. 37 jersey flying off the shelves in Valencia’s club shop.
Game Videos
- 03:40
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/09/25/E8qY6ugj0GcIx0dKD52gZfOeW3n2vYS4-1727298025577.jpg]()
Umana Reyer Venice-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 1 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 03:35
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Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem-Valencia Basket | Round 1 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7393a20b-b3ad-40f6-83d7-d862e68d82ca.png?crop=750%3A422%3Anowe%3A0%3A99]()
Magic Moment: Banks hammers it home!
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/90929047-a06a-4908-b66f-3992ebdd5a6c.png?crop=750%3A422%3Anowe%3A0%3A102]()
Magic Moment: Simms puts it back!
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/449befd0-a2a1-47e9-a7df-86c170244f6a.png?crop=750%3A422%3Anowe%3A0%3A79]()
Magic Moment: Parks's alley-oop dunk!
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/eMwSO1oWXx0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
2023-24 EB ANGT Finals Berlin Round 3 Highlights: U18 Mega MIS Belgrade-U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
- 02:31
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5548ca0e-3c5e-4a6d-944c-d02d2d468bbe.jpg]()
Mike James, Monaco: 'I want Monaco and Mike James to coincide'
- 04:04
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AS Monaco-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Playoffs Game 5 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/f7f9d7a5-ad86-401a-bb8f-b91f731ab698.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A112%3A202]()
Papagiannis's big block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/84907d27-5b6c-4bd4-b727-452a423786d3.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A118%3A30]()
Diallo says no! Motorola Magic Moment
- 02:01
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/05/03/jwj7PqkaPHkAqQcn7vW45PLoYud7cWo9-1714767030246.jpg]()
Sasa Obradovic, Monaco: 'We learned a lot from these four games'
- 04:02
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/05/03/nVLdRRLcaijjGjBphapNCZeNnCWNqF3G-1714767380625.jpg]()
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul -AS Monaco | Playoffs Game 4 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 01:14
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/05/03/YmExl8dwF0sijYjPmFYVWJsV6hKHRWo9-1714767551528.jpg]()
Donta Hall: 'We just have to keep competing'
- 00:28
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/05/03/8FophoZPxfGjpeSwhNXwOS5y9HLjdQNS-1714770092039.jpg]()
Hall denies Guduric! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:08
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Hall s put-back slam! Motorola Magic Moment
- 04:10
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Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul -AS Monaco | Playoffs Game 3 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:23
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/88b5bf3a-1e81-45af-b073-8a0b5f9aa311.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A147%3A142]()
Strazel feeds Blossomgame, Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b990e481-d204-49a7-b780-1e84c3d41ffe.jpg?crop=1836%3A1033%3Anowe%3A19%3A223]()
Petr Cornelie swats the game's first shot! Motorola Magic Moment
- 03:18
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Monaco-Fenerbahce battle is shaping up as a classic
- 00:42
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/04/26/O6w3YskBHYWNL32d58gKSvpRBUXVSwZu-1714168975422.jpg]()
Jordan Loyd, Monaco: 'That's why I'm here!'
- 00:39
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/04/26/p5bpZhBiK2Cmjvx67Nx9jwDD4nflhi4N-1714164622815.jpg]()
Sasa Obradovic, Monaco: 'This was a game of character'
- 01:38
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/04/26/kWbea8bBX0gkQD4W5mZUZ81KwxYE7KF5-1714165524355.jpg]()
Donatas Motiejunas, Monaco: 'It was a rollercoaster'
- 04:03
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/04/26/Nw2MlKXjjsmeYms6UyOt5TS4YByl8ym4-1714165518323.jpg]()
AS Monaco-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Playoffs Game 2 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 04:01
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/04/24/LvyGYYoVsydbos21hLcElqRc9SZVJOnd-1713987403154.jpg]()
AS Monaco-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Playoffs Game 1 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:59
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/04/24/Mdfxmcx4ISiSRi2alzhBkqQt5iTTdQxY-1713989541338.jpg]()
Nigel Hayes-Davis: 'We've got a lot to learn from'
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/38ef95a5-d3e0-4c96-869a-b52d29223092.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A48%3A52]()
Blossomgame with the tough finish! Motorola Magic Moment
- 04:03
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/04/12/5aHVDwGbEneZ1P2uVaQTlKNJbCVeY0EJ-1712954731282.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Valencia Basket| Round 34 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 03:54
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/04/11/Ry49NzVPX2yA3oKcK0NRojcmNJQgLgXP-1712863159220.jpg]()
AS Monaco-FC Bayern Munich | Round 34 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/99c6ab08-e48c-4fc6-b55b-963536a6f92e.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A42%3A113]()
Diallo throws down the massive dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/86837ca5-a70d-473b-8a71-da3ef63e621f.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A88%3A55]()
Diallo hammers it home! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:06
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/f0245a47-9344-4f86-98af-3ad97262800e.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A103%3A104]()
Ouattara makes statement dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/N3JR75KVNrY/maxresdefault.jpg]()
2023-24 EB ANGT Paris Round 3 Highlights: U18 Joventut Badalona-U18 Next Gen Team Paris
- 03:56
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/04/04/i1nIv86fg5JiwjvkIi6Y2XkldPQWNeJ1-1712266078354.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | Round 33 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 04:05
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/46cfd736-4684-4028-9268-7c3e7ac5b2e3.jpg]()
AS Monaco-Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 33 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:07
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/632a2230-a89f-4792-b1da-79723b122b93.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A141%3A91]()
John Brown with the big rejection! Motorola Magic Moment
- 04:15
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LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne-AS Monaco | Round 32 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/67088bb6-0a72-4bf5-800b-1cd6dd454c40.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A126%3A53]()
Blossomgame throws it down! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/60998268-d15d-4a07-b3f3-b00503615c3a.jpg?crop=1237%3A696%3Anowe%3A65%3A9]()
Monaco turns defense into offense! Motorola Magic Moment
- 03:52
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/03/27/rj33QXMwRq6gVdF5uZlzhtdWfqvPsYqs-1711576115870.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Valencia Basket | Round 32 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/MYI7sHhM1ZU/maxresdefault.jpg]()
2023-24 EB ANGT Dubai Round 3 Highlights: U18 Aris Midea Thessaloniki-U18 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne
- 04:09
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/03/22/4DbLKiufR1cUkGwSlw4EFP3OZRQJSUy0-1711139335216.jpg]()
AS Monaco-Valencia Basket | Round 31 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/02dc1aae-95db-4f31-af21-1335a05eca44.jpg?crop=1333%3A750%3Anowe%3A0%3A144]()
Mike James spectacular block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:29
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Monaco's block party! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e21e7d96-3a4c-4cab-b36e-5e6a9383a634.jpg?crop=798%3A449%3Anowe%3A350%3A189]()
Cornelie's fastbreak flight! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
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Hall denies Pradilla at the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
- 03:52
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/03/20/JC8luGZI9PojHowj8VwhXpOY2TPIEaPB-1710972516078.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-FC Bayern Munich | Round 30 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 04:10
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AS Monaco-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | Round 30 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e19a812a-0d98-40a5-a428-7c45ee9e1c2b.jpg?crop=1044%3A587%3Anowe%3A285%3A165]()
MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Inglis with the behind-the-back assist!
- 00:17
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4e1484da-a296-4a41-b44b-5f04f835889e.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A132%3A24]()
MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Motiejunas with the fancy feed
- 04:03
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/03/14/UwaoZoWihXtwKHQ6qNDAX2dwzchxooQD-1710451243268.jpg]()
ALBA Berlin-AS Monaco | Round 29 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
