For the first time in his 21-year coaching career, Pablo Laso is back where he made his name as a player – at his hometown club, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.


Pablo Laso: ‘My expectations at Baskonia are high’

It was just a matter of time. Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, [Pablo Laso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/laso-pablo/) played for Baskonia for over a decade way before he started an even more successful career as a head coach.

When he had the opportunity to come back home this summer, Coach Laso did not hesitate and [signed a three-year contract with Baskonia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-appoints-pablo-laso-as-head-coach/). He believes it is great to be back but at the same time, there is no one more self-demanding than him when it comes to being successful with the club he grew up with.

"Coming back to your home city, for sure, it's a great feeling,” Laso says in a feature interview. “It's an important job I wouldn't even dream about, but at the same time, I see the team, I see the club and I see the fan base and everything with a lot of expectations about it.

"We are young, we are athletic, we are very hungry. We are going to see surprises from a lot of our players. My expectations are high, but at the same time, I have to be the first one saying, 'Hey, we're playing against great teams.’"

Everyone has welcomed Laso with open arms, especially the most important players in last season's squad. "He likes to joke around, likes to mess around. But when we get on the court, he's very serious and very about us doing what we need to do to be the best team we can," scoring ace [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) says.

"I was always thinking, 'That's a guy that I'd love to play for.' I didn't know if it would ever happen, but when I saw that he came here, I was very, very excited," power forward [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) adds.

Laso knows Baskonia's fan base better than most and believes that the team won't lack his trademark character, night in and night out. 

"We are going to try to be competitive every night. We are going to be ready every night," Laso proclaims. "And this is something that I promise to the fan base because for me, it's very important that we show from the beginning that we are ready."

More Baskonia News

For the first time in his 21-year coaching career, Pablo Laso is back where he made his name as a player – at his hometown club, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

For the first time in his 21-year coaching career, the Spaniard is back where he made his name as a player – at his hometown club

The third episode of this season's Fantasy Challenge Podcast is now available, with fantasy experts Frankie Sachs, Javier Gancedo and Vasiliki Karamouza all offering their thoughts ahead of Rounds 3 and 4 in the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign.

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Prepare for this season’s first two-round week

The gang returns for the latest edition of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast! [Javier Gancedo](https://x.com/ganchetto) and [Frankie Sachs](https://x.com/MrEuroleague) of [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) are joined by Sport 24's [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://x.com/karamouza_vas) to debate the best strategies and players ahead for Round 3 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season – and how it pertains to Round 4.

Among the topics they discussed are why it is important to have FC Barcelona and/or AS Monaco players, whether Vasiliki is a genius or a maniac for her unorthodox thinking about the centers on her team, and, of course, which players they have their eyes on.  

Time is of the essence, so listen now to best prepare yourself for this week’s action. And you just may be able to win a special prize! The details are in the episode.

Episode 3 is here to help fantasy managers in what should be a fascinating week fantasy-wise 

Boban Marjanovic discusses his first few weeks at Fenerbahçe Beko and what has impressed him so far.

Boban Marjanovic: ‘Why choose Fenerbahce? Short flight, great food, great organization’

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul [made quite the splash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/boban-marjanovic-returns-to-europe-with-fenerbahce-beko/) by signing [Boban Marjanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/boban-marjanovic/lmg/) in mid-September, and it’s fair to say that he has enjoyed his first few weeks as a member of the Turkish club.

During a feature interview, the Serbian center stresses that he still feels at the top of his game, even at 36.

“I feel amazing, I feel good. Basketball is our lives, our love,” Marjanovic says.

After spending the last nine years in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, Marjanovic is impressed by what he has found at Fenerbahce.

“It’s an NBA organization, but in Europe,” he says. “One of the best in Europe.”

His teammates are also happy to have him on board, as [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) explains: “\[When\] we found out Boban was coming to Fenerbahce, I jumped out of my seat and gave Scottie Wilbekin a high-five. We’re very excited that we get to play with a seven-foot-five human being.”

More Fenerbahce News

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul made quite the splash by bringing in Boban Marjanovic in mid-September, and it’s fair to say that he has enjoyed his first few weeks as a member of the Turkish club. During a feature interview, the Serbian center stresses that he still feels at the top of his game, even at 36.

The towering center discusses his first few weeks at the Istanbul-based club and what has impressed him so far

Be sure to take a look at the best ten plays of the 2024 25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 2!

Top 10 Plays | RS Round 2 | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Be sure to take a look at the best ten plays of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 2!

Top 10 Plays | RS Round 2 | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Take a look at the best plays in Round 2 and who had the best of them.

Round 2: Top 10 plays

Olympiacos BC guard Evan Fournier spoke to the EuroLeague TV cameras after his team beat Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 2 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Evan Fournier: 'The EuroLeague? So far, so good'

Olympiacos Piraeus guard Evan Fournier spoke to the EuroLeague TV cameras after his team beat Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 2 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Olympiacos Piraeus v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-10-11T18:15:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona guard Tomas Satoransky spoke to the EuroLeague TV cameras after his team beat ALBA Berlin in Round 2 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Tomas Satoransky: 'Dario Brizuela was on fire today'

FC Barcelona guard Tomas Satoransky spoke to the EuroLeague TV cameras after his team beat ALBA Berlin in Round 2 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

FC Barcelona v ALBA Berlin (2024-10-11T18:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 2 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Metu started, Brizuela finished it Motorola Magic Moment of the Night 

Metu started, Brizuela finished it! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night

Metu destroys Wetzell with a monster dunk, and Brizuela caps the fastbreak with a nice layup!

FC Barcelona-ALBA Berlin | RS Round 2 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Olimpia Milano head coach Ettore Messina spoke to the EuroLeague TV cameras after his team beat Paris Basketball in Round 2 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Ettore Messina: 'Zach LeDay always gives us something'

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach Ettore Messina spoke to the EuroLeague TV cameras after his team beat Paris Basketball in Round 2 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Paris Basketball (2024-10-11T18:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Paris Basketball | RS Round 2 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Olympiacos BC forward Sasha Vezenkov spoke to the EuroLeague TV cameras after his team beat Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 2 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Sasha Vezenkov: 'I have to help my team in different ways'

Olympiacos Piraeus forward Sasha Vezenkov spoke to the EuroLeague TV cameras after his team beat Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 2 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Dario Brizuela finished the third period in style with a big three to cap a 10-0 run in which he had 7 points.

Brizuela gets hot! Motorola Magic Moment

A nice team play end with a nifty pass from Arnas Butkevicius for a dunk by Laurynas Birutis.


Big dunk by Birutis! Motorola Magic Moment

A nice team play end with a nifty pass from Arnas Butkevicius for a dunk by Laurynas Birutis.

TJ Shorts releases Kevarrius Hayes with a pick & roll and the big flushes it down with a slam-jam!

Shorts to Hayes for the big slam! Motorola Magic Moment

Chimezie Metu blocks a shot under FC Barcelona's rim, then Dario Brizuela scores in transition down the other end.

Metu on one end, Brizuela down the other! Motorola Magic Moment

Zach LeDay goes around his marker along the baseline and rocks the rim with aplomb!

Zach LeDay with a powerful slam! Motorola Magic Moment

Martin Hermannsson provides, Khalifa Koumadje delivers!