Name: Championship Game, Mic'd Up: Nigel Hayes-Davis, Daniel Theis
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Scroll to see the best photos as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul celebrated winning the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title.

The best photos of Fenerbahce celebrating on court

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul has confirmed that head coach Dusan Alimpijevic has put pen to paper on a new contract that will see him remain at the club until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Dusan Alimpijevic extends contract at Besiktas to 2027

[Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/) has confirmed that head coach [Dusan Alimpijevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/alimpijevic-dusan/) has put pen to paper on a new contract that will see him remain at the club until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Alimpijevic, 39, is in his second campaign in charge of Besiktas. He led the team to the BKT EuroCup Semifinals in 2023-24 and another playoff appearance in 2024-25. Through two seasons, the Serbian play-caller is 22-20 in EuroCup play as Besiktas head coach.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Başantrenörümüz Dusan Alimpijevic ile Yola Devam <br><br>Beşiktaş Fibabanka Takımımıza katıldığı günden bu yana Camiamızın sevgisini kazanmış olan ve birlikte önemli başarılar kazanacağımıza inanmış olduğumuz Başantrenörümüz Dusan Alimpijevic ile 2026-2027 sezonu sonuna kadar sözleşme… <a href="https://t.co/7iF1Qo7V2n">pic.twitter.com/7iF1Qo7V2n</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş Fibabanka (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/1930258302069268853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Prior to landing at Besiktas, Alimpijevic was named the 2021-22 EuroCup Coach of the Year with Frutti Extra Bursaspor. That same season, he guided the team to the EuroCup Final. The following year, Bursaspor returned to the playoffs under Alimpijevic, but exited at the last-16 stage.

Earlier in his coaching career, the current Besiktas boss got his first taste of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade during the 2017-18 campaign, posting an 11-19 record. His other coaching stops have come with Vojvodina Srbijagas (2013-15), Spartak Subotica (2015-17), FMP (2017) and Avtodor (2018-19).

More Besiktas News

After two seasons at the club, he has committed his future to the club

For Scottie Wilbekin, the 2024-25 season will be filled with mixed feelings, but it did see him become a EuroLeague champion for the first time.

Tribute to the Champs: Scottie Wilbekin

For [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/), the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season will be filled with mixed feelings.

Just 88 seconds into [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/)’s season opener at home to Olympiacos Piraeus, Wilbekin tore his ACL and was on IR thereafter. But fast-forward to May and Wilbekin was there cheering on his teammates as Fenerbahce secured its second star after defeating AS Monaco in the EuroLeague Championship Game in Abu Dhabi.

Even though he was unable to leave his mark on the floor, Wilbekin’s presence around the facility was a positive influence for the entire Fenerbahce squad. At the Final Four, not only was he there supporting the team but he took on the role of being Nigel Hayes-Davis’s videographer, with Fenerbahce fans surely counting down the days until this video comes to life.

Wilbekin is nine years into his EuroLeague career and now has his first EuroLeague title. Even if it didn’t come as he would have planned, the 32-year-old will be ready next season to try to help the team as it looks to go back-to-back.

More Fenerbahce News

Despite suffering a season-ending injury in Round 1, he was around the team for the entire campaign

Devon Hall made sure his first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was one to remember as he became Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's X-factor in Abu Dhabi.

Tribute to the Champs: Devon Hall

[Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) made sure his first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was one to remember as he became [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/)'s X-factor in Abu Dhabi.

The 29-year-old – in his first year at Fenerbahce since joining from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – already stepped up in the playoff series against Paris Basketball, averaging 10.3 points on near-perfect shooting (75.0% 2FG, 100% 3FG, 90.0% FT), 2.7 assists and a PIR of 14.0 to help his team sweep the best-of-five series. Hall carried his great momentum into the Final Four.

In the semifinal against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, Hall was Fenerbahce's first player to score, burying a three-pointer. He soon added a Euro-step reverse layup and another bomb from downtown for a 16-12 Fenerbahce lead. He added two more triples and a big dunk in traffic. Fenerbahce beat Panathinaikos 82-76 and Hall played a big role with a team-high and season-high 18 points on 3-of-4 two-pointers and 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.

Devon Hall has Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's X-factor throughout the entire post-season.

Devon Hall, Fenerbahce: 2025 Final Four highlights

Hall was also incredibly solid in the Championship Game against AS Monaco, doing a little bit of everything. He buried a three-pointer, added a big dunk and, above all, an acrobatic three-point play to put Fenerbahce ahead, 33-35, at halftime. He kept going after thre break with a driving layup and another three-pointer to finish the game with 13 points.

To cap off his Final Four, Hall was the last player holding the basketball in the final seconds of the game. After that, it was time to celebrate as after four seasons in the competition, Hall is now a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion.

The combo guard's postseason contribution was critical in Fenerbahce going all the way 

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals is not just about the battle on the court for the trophy. The players also get a chance to learn about some of the most important issues on and off the court thanks to the annual Players' Educational Session, this season with two-time EuroLeague champion Dogus Balbay and former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and NBA player Bostjan Nachbar piquing the youngsters’ interest. 

Balbay, Nachbar helped give on- and off-court lessons to NextGen players

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals is not just about the battle on the court for the trophy. The players also get a chance to learn about some of the most important issues on and off the court thanks to the annual Players' Educational Session, this season with two-time EuroLeague champion Dogus Balbay and former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and NBA player Bostjan Nachbar piquing the youngsters’ interest. 

One of the main messages from Balbay, who played 12 seasons in the EuroLeague and lifted the title in 2021 and 2022 with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, was how to deal with injuries that will eventually happen. 

“Don’t ask: why me? Just work on staying focused and look ahead to the next day,” Balbay told the players gathered at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi. 

Balbay talks with experience on the matter, having battled through two ACL tears during his playing days. 

“They made me tougher mentally. Getting hurt is part of the game, but I stood up and made a long career.” 

The 36-year-old, who this season coached the NextGen selection teams at the four qualifying tournaments, also talked to the players about making sure they do at least one thing great and to work on it every day. That will help the players make a name for themselves and it will in turn aid the development of their character. 

Balbay also reminded the players that scouts and player personnel bosses are not just watching the highlight plays they make.

"When NBA scouts and GMs are watching them all season long, it’s not about the stats," he said. "They want to see how you interact with your teammates, how you carry yourself on the court, what you do after a missed shot or turnover, how you handle bad calls, or how you get subbed out and approach the bench. These are some of the small details that they might not be aware of playing at a young age. I know I wasn’t aware of that when I was playing early on."

Nachbar played six years in the NBA and eight in the EuroLeague and currently serves as the managing director of the EuroLeague Players Association (ELPA). And he has been speaking at the educational sessions for many years now. 

His prevailing message to the players this time around was don’t just worry about scoring. 

“Impact the game when your shots are not falling," he said. "Nowadays too many guys are focusing on making shots that are highlights whereas there are so many different ways of impacting the game. If you want to be a complete player that’s how you have to approach the game. Find the ways to impact the game even when you’re not having your best day."

Nachbar said he wishes there was more time to talk to the players than just the 30 minutes at the end of one of the days during the tournament.

“This is super important. I wish we could do more with more time and split it into different sessions with different parts and talk about this transition from junior to pro," he said. "There are so many layers to it and so many things that people have to focus on, but you can’t compact it all into 30 minutes."

Still, he is grateful for the chance to at least give the youngsters a taste of what’s out there. 

“It’s great because it gives the players the opportunity to see a little bit how the pros – or former pros – are thinking,” Nachbar said. 

And the messages were well-received by the players. 

“It’s a great education for us. There are a lot of things to learn for our future,” said [Ignas Stombergas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/ignas-stombergas/012981/) of the eventual champion [U18 Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-zalgiris-kaunas/jza/). “A professional career is full of hard work and hard things such as injuries. You just need to stay strong mentally and do the best for yourself.”

When asked what he learned, [U18 Pole France INSEP Paris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-pole-france-insep-paris/jin/) forward [Nathan Soliman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/nathan-soliman/013061/) said: “Even if you’re bad or having a bad day or your shooting isn’t good, you have to stay focused and be ready for the next game. This is really good because we learn a lot from their experiences.” 

The main takeaway for [Achille Lonati](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/achille-lonati/012113/) from [U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/jmi/) was dealing with injuries. 

“I learned about having injuries and being mentally strong. Don’t let yourself get down by things you cannot control,” said Lonati, who was appreciative of the chance to listen to input from Balbay and Nachbar. 

“It’s amazing to be able to listen to these people who have achieved what we want to achieve and hear about their lives.”

While only one team was able to hoist the trophy, all the players learned some valuable lessons that will make them that much better in their future careers. 

The players competing at the NextGen Finals gained some valuable lessons from the two ex-pros

NINERS Chemnitz bolstered its backcourt by signing Kostja Mushidi, who joins the club on a contract through the 2026–27 season

NINERS Chemnitz ink Kostja Mushidi through 2027

[NINERS Chemnitz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/niners-chemnitz/nin/) bolstered its backcourt by signing [Kostja Mushidi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kostja-mushidi/006634/), who joins the club on a contract through the 2026–27 season.

Mushidi (1.95 meters, 26 years old) arrives from fellow German side BG Goettingen, where he averaged 12.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the German League last season. A scoring wing who can also create for others and defend multiple positions, Mushidi is expected to contribute at both guard spots.

Born in Belgium and raised in Germany, Mushidi came through the youth ranks at Bonn-Rhoendorf and began his professional career with SIG Strasbourg in France. He later played three seasons for Mega Belgrade and another for OKK Belgrade before returning to Germany for two years with Braunschweig and three with SYNTAINICS MBC.

A longtime German youth national team player, Mushidi earned all-tournament honors at the 2018 U20 European Championship, where he helped Germany capture the bronze medal in Chemnitz.

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKcmkUdtscn/?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 NINERS Chemnitz (@ninerschemnitz)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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More from NINERS Chemnitz

The German guard is the club's first signing of the offseason

NINERS Chemnitz inks Kostja Mushidi through 2027

Neptunas Klaipeda has appointed Gediminas Petrauskas as its next head coach. The sides agreed to a two-year contract with an option for a third season.

Neptunas tabs Gediminas Petrauskas as its next head coach

[Neptunas Klaipeda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/neptunas-klaipeda/roster/kla/) has appointed Gediminas Petrauskas as its next head coach. The sides agreed to a two-year contract with an option for a third season.

Petrauskas, 40, arrives from Nedainiu Nevezis-Optibet, which he coached for the last four seasons. He started his head coaching career at the early age of 24 with Naglis-Adakris Palangos. Petrauskas has also coached Kedainiai Triobet, Siauliai, Juventus Utenus and Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys in Lithuania as well as Atomeromu in Hungary.

He led Siauliai to three consecutive Baltic League championships from 20214 to 2016, and has also coached the Lithuanian national team in all youth categories. He helped Lithuania win a silver medal at the 2015 U16 European Championship, as well as respective bronze medals at the 2017 U18 European Championships and the 2016 U17 World Cup. Petrauskas is set to make his BKT EuroCup debut with Neptunas next season.

Petrauskas will guide the team in its EuroCup return

Zalgiris Kaunas confirmed on Monday night that guard Deividas Sirvydis has signed a new two-year deal which includes an option for a further year.

Deividas Sirvydis commits his future to Zalgiris

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) confirmed on Monday night that guard [Deividas Sirvydis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/deividas-sirvydis/007029/) has signed a new two-year deal which includes an option for a further year.

Sirvydis (24 years old, 2.04 meters) impressed in his rookie Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign in 2024-25, averaging 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds while playing in all 34 regular-season games.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Deividas Sirvydis is staying in Kaunas - the guard has signed a new deal! ✍️ <a href="https://t.co/do5u4weayY">pic.twitter.com/do5u4weayY</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1929582578182340992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Lithuanian showed what he can offer from the get-go, netting 17 points in a narrow defeat on the road at Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 2 before matching that 17-point night in Round 6 as Zalgiris beat Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade at home. His career-high scoring night came in Round 11 when he netted 19 points in 22 minutes during a home win over Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.

Deividas Sirvydis of Zalgiris Kaunas averaged 8.4 points in his first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, taking part in all 34 games.

2024-25 EuroLeague highlights: Deividas Sirvydis, Zalgiris

After his first year of experience among Europe's elite, Sirvydis will be eager to build on what he has shown so far as Zalgiris looks to reach the EuroLeague Playoffs after missing the postseason in the 2024-25 season.

More Zalgiris News

He has penned a new two-plus-one-year contract

The 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi provided a powerful platform for One Team – Euroleague Basketball’s social responsibility program – to highlight how basketball can inspire inclusion, connection, and community impact.

United by One Team in Abu Dhabi

The 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi provided a powerful platform for One Team – Euroleague Basketball’s social responsibility program – to highlight how basketball can inspire inclusion, connection, and community impact. From May 22 to 25, a series of special One Team events showcased the heart of the program’s work throughout the season.

 “Seeing the power of One Team come to life during the Final Four is always incredibly meaningful,” said Marcel Maneja, Sustainability Manager at Euroleague Basketball. “These moments reflect everything we stand for – bringing people together, breaking down barriers, and showing that basketball can be a force for positive change in every community we reach.”

The celebration began with a welcome session for Final Four volunteers. This dynamic, on-court experience featured seven activity stations, each designed to promote core life skills such as communication, confidence, and teamwork. Led by One Team coaches from [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/), [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/), and [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/), with support from One Team Ambassador Joe Arlauckas, the session helped volunteers connect with each other and understand the wider One Team methodology.

“For me it’s gratification,” said Arlauckas. “The way I get to feel after I’m done working with the volunteers, with just the group in general. I’m very proud and privileged and honored to be a part of such an incredible foundation.”

Later in the week, the spotlight turned to inclusion as athletes from Special Olympics UAE took to the court at Mubadala Arena. Joined by One Team Coaches, Ambassadors, and adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals players, the athletes participated in a joyful session and animated exhibition game. It was a moment of shared celebration, capped off with all participants gathering in a circle and chanting “One Team”, with the memory being remembered thanks to photos and autographs.

“One Team has allowed me to understand and allowed me to show what basketball means and how basketball can truly translate to multiple cultures, multiple people, and how it can teach life lessons,” said Kyle Hines, four-time EuroLeague champion and One Team Ambassador.

The celebration continued inside Etihad Arena, where the Special Olympics athletes were honored at halftime of the third-place game between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. Standing alongside Joe Arlauckas, they took center stage for a powerful recognition moment on the floor that saw the fans inside the arena give them a round of applause.

These inspiring moments demonstrated that the Final Four in Abu Dhabi was about much more than elite competition. It was a celebration of shared values, unforgettable connections, and the belief that every ability deserves to shine.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has made its first signing of the summer by completing the arrival of David Mutaf on a two-year deal.

Efes brings in swingman David Mutaf

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) has made its first signing of the summer by completing the arrival of [David Mutaf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/david-mutaf/008176/) on a two-year deal.

Mutaf (22 years old, 1.97 meters) is coming off an impressive season with Bursaspor, where he averaged 12.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 steals in 30 Turkish League games. He doubled or almost doubled his averages from the 2023-24 campaign, when he posted 6.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.5 steals in 30 Turkish League appearances. 

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Prior to his two years with Bursaspor, Mutaf – a product of [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/)'s youth system – became known to BKT EuroCup fans during his time with [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/). 

After playing for the club's B team in 2020-21 and for a large portion of the following season, he made his EuroCup debut in that same 2021-22 campaign by featuring in four games. The next year, Mutaf played 10 times for Gran Canaria in the EuroCup – scoring a career-high 22 points against Paris Basketball in Round 13 – as it went all the way and lifted its first-ever European trophy.

More Efes News

He made 15 appearances in the EuroCup for Gran Canaria between 2021 and 2023

Anadolu Efes has announced that Ercan Osmani has renewed his contract for a further two seasons, through until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

Ercan Osmani extends deal at Efes to 2027

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) has announced that [Ercan Osmani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ercan-osmani/012710/) has renewed his contract for a further two seasons, through until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

Osmani (26 years old, 2.10 meters) appeared in all 39 of Efes's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games this season, posting 6.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist per night. 

His best performance came in Round 17 as he scored a career-high 25 points in a home win over Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. He also netted 14 points in Game 4 of the playoffs against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, which proved crucial in forcing a Game 5.

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Osmani, who has been with Efes the last two seasons, had never played in the EuroLeague prior to the start of the 2023-24 campaign. Previously, he suited up for Bandirma Kirmizi (2014-18), Bandirma (2018-20), Besiktas (2020-22) and Darussafaka (2022-23).

He started every game for the team last season

Anadolu Efes has confirmed that Erkan Yilmaz has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract at the club, which takes his deal through until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Erkan Yilmaz seals two-year extension at Efes

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) has confirmed that [Erkan Yilmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/erkan-yilmaz/006372/) has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract at the club, which takes his deal through until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Yilmaz (27 years old, 1.97 meters) made 13 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for Efes last season, having missed three months of the campaign due to surgery on his collarbone.

He averaged 1.6 points and 1.0 rebound per game, but his best performances came in Games 4 and 5 of the EuroLeague Playoffs against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens as he posted 4.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals in those two encounters.

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Yilmaz has just finished his second EuroLeague season, both of which have come with Efes. He was previously part of the Turk Telekom Ankara squad that reached the BKT EuroCup Final in the 2022-23 campaign, while he also featured in the EuroCup with Bahcesehir College Istanbul in 2020-21 and Banvit Bandirma in 2015-16.

After coming alive in the playoffs, the forward is remaining at the Istanbul-based club

Now in his eighth season with Fenerbahce Beko, Marko Guduric was finally able to lift his first EuroLeague championship.

Marko Guduric gets his hands on the EuroLeague trophy at last

When [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) signed for [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) in the summer of 2017, he must have thought that a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship would be imminent.

Fenerbahce, then coached by Zeljko Obradovic, had just become the first Turkish team to secure European basketball’s crown and Guduric, aged 22 entering the season, had big ambitions.

In the Serbian guard’s first campaign at the club, Fenerbahce returned to the 2018 EuroLeague Championship Game, but it was the Luka Doncic-led Real Madrid which ended up lifting the title.

Guduric went scoreless in 11 minutes in the semifinal against Zalgiris Kaunas, then posted a goose egg in over 9 minutes in the title decider against Madrid. For him personally, it was a first Final Four to forget.

One year later, Fenerbahce made it to its fifth straight Final Four, but Guduric and his teammates could not get past Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the semifinals. He did enjoy a far bigger role this time around, though, playing 29 minutes against Efes and pairing 8 points with 6 assists, then 28 minutes in the third-place game as he finished with 11 points against Madrid.

That third-place game proved to be his final appearance for Fenerbahce – or so it seemed – as Guduric went stateside by signing a multi-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA in the summer of 2019. But a year and a half later, he was back in the EuroLeague and suiting up for Fenerbahce.

The passionate Fenerbahce fans had to wait five years between Final Four appearances as the team returned to European basketball’s showpiece event in 2024, yet it was a similar story to 2019 as it struggled to get over the hump. This season, that changed.

Fenerbahce swept its playoff series against Paris Basketball with Guduric averaging 13.5 points in Games 2 and 3, then he had a discreet performance in the semifinal triumph over reigning champion Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, but there was a story behind that.

“Three or four days before the Final Four, I had this hip injury,” Guduric told Eurohoops post-Final Four. “There was a lot of medication.”

In the championship game, Guduric had his crowning moment. Now in his seventh season with Fenerbahce, the Serbia international put his physical pain to one side and played a near-perfect game against AS Monaco.

In almost 29 minutes on the floor – double what he could manage in the semifinals – he recorded 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and zero turnovers. His sidestep three-pointer with 1:05 to go will be remembered for years to come, too, as it restored Fenerbahce’s double-digit advantage and effectively put the win on ice.

“This is the one. This is the one I’ve been waiting my whole career \[for\], working for,” Guduric told EuroLeague TV’s Martin Henlan after the final buzzer. “It’s hard to really say something right now. Just proud, happy.”

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But in typical Guduric fashion, he didn’t want to receive any personal praise. For him, the team always comes first.

“It’s all about the team. It’s all about the team,” he reiterated. “All these guys, we are really a team and I emphasize that word all the time. This is a team win.

“I’m very happy, very proud. All glory to God.”

It might’ve taken a little longer than Guduric might have planned, but he is a EuroLeague champion... at last.

Game News

The 30-year-old became a EuroLeague champion for the first time in Abu Dhabi

AS Monaco v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-05-25T17:00:00.000Z)

As Fenerbahce Beko and AS Monaco Basket battled in the EuroLeague Championship Game, Nigel Hayes-Davis and Daniel Theis were both mic'd up for the occasion.

Championship Game, Mic'd Up: Nigel Hayes-Davis, Daniel Theis



The Board of Shareholders of Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) convened on Thursday, May 29, 2025, to deliberate on key strategic initiatives aimed at shaping the future of the competitions.

Euroleague Commercial Assets Board Addresses Strategic Developments for the Future of the Competitions

During the meeting, the Board approved the proposal to expand the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague to 20 teams beginning with the 2025–26 season. This proposal will be submitted to the General Assembly for final ratification. 

In parallel, the Board agreed to present a preliminary list of proposed participating teams, contingent upon the completion of all required formalities.

The Board also held initial discussions regarding potential additional expansion scenarios for seasons beyond 2025–26.

Further information will be disclosed to the public as it becomes available.

The Board of Shareholders of Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) convened on Thursday, May 29, 2025, to deliberate on key strategic initiatives aimed at shaping the future of the competitions.

After a lot of near misses throughout his career, Khem Birch was able to lift a major trophy last Sunday after hoisting aloft the EuroLeague title.

Khem Birch finally a champion: ‘A long time coming’

Last Sunday night, [Khem Birch](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khem-birch/007182/) was finally able to celebrate with his team at the end of a basketball championship run, as the 34-year-old [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) center was crowned a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion in Abu Dhabi.

“It was a long time coming,” Birch told Euroleague.net's Igor Petrinovic after the game.

“Every championship since high school, I lost. The EuroLeague in 2017. \[I lost\] even in the NBA Playoffs. So, God rewarded me.”

It sure was a long wait.

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A native of Canada, Birch played for Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts during his senior year in high school, losing a USA National Prep Championship final against St. Thomas More back in 2011.

In 2013, in his college days, Birch lost in the final of the Mountain West tournament while playing for UNLV against University of New Mexico, then tasted defeat in the first game of the NCAA Tournament against the University of California.

In his lone previous season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Birch helped Olympiacos Piraeus to reach the 2017 championship game, only to lose against Fenerbahce.

Birch also never got past the first round of the NBA Playoffs, getting eliminated with the Orlando Magic in 2019 and 2020, and in 2022 with the Toronto Raptors.

To set the record straight, this recent EuroLeague title was not the first trophy for Birch in his professional career, as he won the Turkish Cup with Fenerbahce earlier this season.

However, winning the EuroLeague pales in comparison with everything else. To do that, [Fenerbahce beat AS Monaco in Sunday’s championship game](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-crowned-2025-champion-with-70-81-win-over-monaco/).

“It was for sure a great battle, and we found the way to rally. And for sure it was our defense,” he said.

Birch praised the team spirit Coach Jasikevicius has instilled and the teammates’ trust in each other, both of which were key in achieving EuroLeague glory.

“We've got a lot of depth, a lot of unselfishness. We followed Coach's plan and we won.”

However, for Birch, there was no escaping a bit of drama. The big man woke up with back pain on the morning of the game and wasn’t entirely sure he’d be able to play.

“I remember when I had a playoff series in the NBA against the Sixers \[in 2022\], when I was with the Raptors, I had a torn meniscus and my back problem. So I know, this was nothing.”

To further prove that this back problem was “nothing” and he was not nervous if he would be able to go, Birch spent 20:16 minutes on the floor against Monaco, posting 6 rebounds, including 3 on the offensive end.

“Hey, I also received a Flight Time award, which means I was in the air the longest. I am too old to be nervous.”

So, finally on the winning team, Khem Birch feels like he might only be getting started.

“I think that after this, I will have the most confidence coming into these types of games.”

The Fenerbahce big man lifted the EuroLeague title after coming up short over and over again

FC Bayern Munich has confirmed that team captain Vladimir Lucic has signed a contract extension that will see him remain at the club until the summer of 2027.

Vladimir Lucic pens two-year extension at Bayern

[FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/) has confirmed that team captain [Vladimir Lucic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vladimir-lucic/001288/) has signed a contract extension that will see him remain at the club until the summer of 2027.

Lucic (35 years old, 2.04 meters) joined Bayern in 2016 and has become a fans' favorite during his time in Bavaria, appearing in 171 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games for the club since 2018 and also 25 BKT EuroCup fixtures between 2016 and 2018.

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In what was an injury-affected season for Lucic, he posted 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 16 games for Bayern, which reached the second round of the Play-In Showdown before exiting at the hands of Real Madrid. 

The veteran Serbian forward missed Rounds 3 through 22 with an injury, but his experience proved crucial for Bayern in the final stretch of the season as it finished ninth in the standings.

With Lucic still contributing at the highest level, coach Gordie Herbert will be leaning on his captain to lead the way as Bayern looks to build on its first season at SAP Garden and establish itself as one of the EuroLeague's dominant teams in the 2025-26 campaign.