Sylvain Francisco waits and then drains the long three-pointer to beat the third quarter buzzer.

 MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Francisco beats the buzzer 

 Sylvain Francisco waits and then drains the long three-pointer to beat the third quarter buzzer.

ALBA Berlin v FC Bayern Munich (2024-01-18T19:00:00.000Z)

Baskonia coach Dusko Ivanovic prepares for a swift return to Belgrade to face his former employers and help strengthen his team's push for the playoffs, whilst Zvezda wish to unleash the talents of in-form big man Joel Bolomboy, since he paired 14 points with 6 rebounds in an important gain in Milan.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 22 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

 Baskonia coach Dusko Ivanovic prepares for a swift return to Belgrade to face his former employers and help strengthen his team's push for the playoffs, whilst Zvezda wish to unleash the talents of in-form big man Joel Bolomboy, since he paired 14 points with 6 rebounds in an important gain in Milan.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-01-18T18:00:00.000Z)

Yanni Wetzell goes up hard but Isaac Bonga comes up with the big block.

 MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Bonga denies Wetzell 

 Yanni Wetzell goes up hard but Isaac Bonga comes up with the big block.

Leandro Bolmaro feeds Serge Ibaka and the big man throws down a powerful dunk.

MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Ibaka throws down the dunk

 Leandro Bolmaro feeds Serge Ibaka and the big man throws down a powerful dunk.

Petrusev goes up for the dunk in transition but Sorkin meets him there for the block!

MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Sorkin rejects Petrusev at the rim! 

 Petrusev goes up for the dunk in transition but Sorkin meets him there for the block!

Olympiacos Piraeus v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-01-18T19:15:00.000Z)

Dario Brizuela ensured that Nico Laprovittola wasn't missed by draining 24 points as Barça beat Zalgiris and kept pace in the upper-echelons of the standings. They visit two-time champs Efes, who look to continue its revival after roaring back into winning-ways in sensational style by thrashing Virtus.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul-FC Barcelona | Round 22 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

 Dario Brizuela ensured that Nico Laprovittola wasn't missed by draining 24 points as Barça beat Zalgiris and kept pace in the upper-echelons of the standings. They visit two-time champs Efes, who look to continue its revival after roaring back into winning-ways in sensational style by thrashing Virtus.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v FC Barcelona (2024-01-18T17:30:00.000Z)

Johannes Thiemann drives but is swatted away by Serge Ibaka.

MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT Ibaka swats Thiemann

 Johannes Thiemann drives but is swatted away by Serge Ibaka.

Leandro Bolmaro races into the paint and tosses it up for Devin Booker to throw down a big alley-oop.

MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Bolmaro to Booker for the alley-oop 

 Leandro Bolmaro races into the paint and tosses it up for Devin Booker to throw down a big alley-oop.

McIntyre gets a fastbreak going and Moneke caps it with a strong dunk!

 MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Moneke dunks with aplomb! 

 McIntyre gets a fastbreak going and Moneke caps it with a strong dunk!

Will Clyburn raced back to prevent Nikola Kalinic from scoring what looked like an easy layup.

 MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Clyburn with the big block! 

 Will Clyburn raced back to prevent Nikola Kalinic from scoring what looked like an easy layup.

Shane Larkin blocked Rokas Jokubaitis at one end, then scored an impressive layup at the other end to put Efes up by 12.

MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: Larkin comes up big on defense and offense! 

 Shane Larkin blocked Rokas Jokubaitis at one end, then scored an impressive layup at the other end to put Efes up by 12.

Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos goes for a layup and gets rejected by Bolomboy big time!

 MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: What a block from Bolomboy! 

 Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos goes for a layup and gets rejected by Bolomboy big time!

Mitrovic serves up a delightful alley-oop for Bolomboy to rock the rim!

MOTOROLA MAGIC MOMENT: What an alley-oop from Bolomboy! 

 Mitrovic serves up a delightful alley-oop for Bolomboy to rock the rim!

Two LDLC ADVEL Villerurbanne players from different generations - 35-year-old David Lighty and Mbaye Ndiaye, 10 years his junior, try to decide on whether they go old school or new school on a variety of subjects. Despite some agreements, the results are as diverse as you might have expected!

New School vs. Old School: ASVEL's David Lighty and Mbaye Ndiaye

Efes mainstays Shane Larkin and Tibor Pleiss remember the journey the team took until winning it's first EuroLeague trophy against FC Barcelona in 2021.

Efes stars remember first EuroLeague title against Barca

When Anadolu Efes Istanbul players stepped on the court of the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany to play the 2021 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game, their thoughts were racing.

The world was living a strange situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Final Four was to be played without fans in the stands, but the Efes players felt like they had some unfinished business that they had to take care of, this time in a crucial game against FC Barcelona.

### Efes works its way up

During the 2018-19 season, Efes went from being last in the standings in 2017-18 to making the Championship Game at the Final Four played in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. Head coach Ergin Ataman managed to turn the team around and players like Shane Larkin and Vasilije Micic became the leaders of a group that would set a new standard in the league. Their lack of experience at that level, however, kicked in and Efes lost to CSKA Moscow in that game.

The following season, Efes dominated as few other teams have during the regular season. It seemed that the team would continue the work done the previous season and would make a Final Four repeat, at the very least, But then, the unexpected happened, taking the globe by storm, and in the end the season had to be cancelled while Efes was at the top of the standings.

"It was our change at redemption," Shane Larkin explains. "There were some nerves there. You worked really hard the season prior after losing the championship. For that to be completely taken away from you, something that's out of your control, it's frustrating."

### The culmination of a long journey

Fortunately, sporting activity could be resumed for the 2020-21 season. It was a strange one, as few fans were permitted to attend the games, but the show went on. Efes seemed to have more problems than it did the previous season, and some wondered whether the team would be able to complete the job it had set out to do in 2018. After the end of the regular season, Efes ended up third and then had to defeat Real Madrid in a grueling five-game playoff series to earn another ticket to the final tournament.

"Having to wait another year for that moment, I think it adds another year of those nerves and excitement," Larkin remembers.

The first opponent was CSKA in the semis, and Efes advanced with a three-point win, 86-89. Then, it was another date with history, this time against FC Barcelona. Barca started the game rolling, but Efes kept its cool and made good use of its 2019 experience to turn things around and complete an 81-86 victory that would grant the club its first EuroLeague title ever.

"I think we had early-game jitters, because we felt we had to win that game," Larkin says. "But we settled down, we understood that we had been there before, and we understand now what it takes."

"It's not about one player making a lot of points," Tibor Pleiss says. "It has to be a team effort."

That Anadolu Efes team was firing on all cylinders and would go on to take a second title in a row in 2021-22, this time in front of fans.

Summary: Efes mainstays Shane Larkin and Tibor Pleiss remember the journey the team took until winning it's first EuroLeague trophy against FC Barcelona in 2021.
 
When Anadolu Efes Istanbul players stepped on the court of the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany to play the 2021 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game, their thoughts were racing.
 
The world was living a strange situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Final Four was to be played without fans in the stands, but the Efes players felt like they had some unfinished business that they had to take care of, this time in a crucial game against FC Barcelona.

From mid-season arrival to key contributor on a historic club, Kendrick Nunn is enjoying his transition to the EuroLeague.

Kendrick Nunn, Panathinaikos: 'I am embracing it'

After spending four seasons in the NBA, [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) decided to cross the pond to make his European debut at Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. He arrived to the Greek capital for Round 7 and his impact was immediate. 

Since his arrival, Nunn has played 15 games, averaging 13.0 points, 2.4 boards and 2.5 assists and has been involved in some decisive plays that have given the Greens important wins en route to their current fourth place in the standings.

### Some advice for players thinking about switching to Europe

Despite having been playing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for just a little over two months, Nunn already knows what he would say to any players thinking about coming to pursue a career in the league.

"The one advice I would give them is just to be ready," Nunn says. "It's very competitive - like the advice I was given - it can definitely make strides in becoming a better player, for sure."

### Adapting to a new home and new team in Athens

It's a given that for first-time players, the cultural change can come as a big shock. The first thing that always gets attention is the style of play and the atmosphere at arenas across the continent.

"I'm enjoying myself. I am embracing it," Nunn states. "It's a great club, a great atmosphere to play in."

Of course, moving to another country also presents its challenges, but Nunn seems to be content with his new adventure.

"Greece is very different for me. I love the city, great food here, great weather. All's been well."

### Ready to go for big things in the EuroLeague

During the summer of 2023, Panathinaikos went for a full remodeling of the team with the clear intent of, at least, getting to the Final Four in May. After a doubtful start to the season, the Greens seem to have picked up their pace, and Nunn has just added his flavor to that mix to the point that he is already looking ahead to try to accomplish something big in Athens.

"My ambition here is to win at the highest level," Nunn concludes. "Hopefully, bring a championship to this club and dominate throghout the season."

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade teammates Mike Tobey and Nemanja Nedovic sat down side by side for the second edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s ‘Draw Your Teammate’ challenge.

Some people are better artists than others and that is certainly the case with Tobey and Nedovic, who opted to take varying approaches towards drawing one another. Make sure to buckle up, because you’re bound to have a smile on your face after watching this video!

### Nedovic is not even sure Tobey drew it

Right before starting, Tobey says "Let the disrespect begin," which gives you an idea of what we are dealing with here.

When both players were done, it was time to compare drawings, and it was Tobey the one who drew first blood.

"It's like his daughter drew it!" complains Nedovic. "You'll never get a pass from me!"

Tobey tries to defend himself by admitting: "I told you it was not going to be good!"

The big man tried to embellish the drawing with some color in the jersey, but even that went sideways. "This is supposed to be a red star... and it looks more like a Canadian maple leaf," Tobey admitted while Nedovic laughed out loud.

### Tobey ends up being pretty impressed

When it was Nedovic's turn to display his work, let’s say he took it a little more seriously.

"Well, that's actually really good!" noted Tobey. "A piece of art!" Nedovic chimes back.

"Is there something you don't like about this?" Nedovic offered, but Tobey had to admit "No, I like all of it!"

This is the first season that Tobey and Nedovic are playing together. It is Nedovic's second season in Zvezda, while Tobey landed in Belgrade in the summer of 2023 from FC Barcelona.

Two teammates at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Mike Tobey and Nemanja Nedovic, sit down side by side for the second edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s ‘Draw Your Teammate’ challenge.
 
Some people are better drawers than others and that is certainly the case with Tobey and Nedovic, who opted to take varying approaches towards drawing one another. Make sure to buckle up, because you’re bound to have a smile on your face after watching this video!

Tobey, Nedovic take part in the ‘Draw Your Teammate’ challenge: 'You'll never get a pass from me'

The Zvezda teammates came together and ended up sharing a lot of laughs.

Isaac Bonga and Nick-Weiler Babb take the ChatGPT challenge

For starters, they asked who the best European basketball player of all time was and they both were overjoyed to see that the first name in the list was German ace Dirk Nowitzki. However, there was a bit of a disagreement with the AI tool when Tony Parker's name came up at number 4.

"I think I might have Tony Parker a little higher," said Weiler-Babb. "Maybe 2 or 3... He's up there though, at least he's top five."

### Hitting the hardest shots

Next up was asking what were the hardest shots to make in the game of basketball. Both players agreed that the top option, the full-court shot, was hard. However, when number two came up, the behind-the-board shot, Bonga stood up like it was nobody's business.

"That's easy," he spurted to the delight of Weiler-Babb, who could not resist but ask "You made one before?"

Bonga's silence as the only reply made the shooting guard erupt in laughter.

### A new nickname for both players

Of course, the ChatGPT challenge would not be complete without asking the AI tool for new nicknames for our protagonists.

Bonga seemed to get a kick out of the option ChatGPT had for him - 'Bonga Baller'. Weiler-Babb was not even sure the AI would know him, but his face changed when his new nickname came up - 'Smooth Moves'.

"'Smooth Moves'!" Bonga laughed, to which Weiler-Babb could only answer, "They know!"

Isaac Bonga and Nick-Weiler Babb have gone through countless battles together wearing the FC Bayern Munich jersey, but none of them can match the ChatGPT challenge.