Name: Top 10 Plays | Season | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Valencia Basket has confirmed that captain Josep Puerto has renewed his contract at the club for a further two years, taking his deal up until the summer of 2027.

Josep Puerto renews at Valencia until 2027

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) has confirmed that captain [Josep Puerto](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/josep-puerto/006643/) has renewed his contract at the club for a further two years, taking his deal up until the summer of 2027.

Puerto is currently in his ninth season in Valencia's first team and this is his first campaign as captain.

During the 2024-25 season, the 26-year-old posted 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and a 7.8 PIR as his side reached the BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🥖 Continuarem tenint l&#39;Almussafes en carta fins a 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣7⃣<br><br>🔐🧡 Josep Puerto<br> <br>Cas 👉 Josep Puerto prolonga su vinculación con Valencia Basket hasta 2027<a href="https://t.co/AexMZ4Y15a">https://t.co/AexMZ4Y15a</a><br><br>Val 👉 Josep Puerto prolonga la seua vinculació amb Valencia Basket fins a 2027… <a href="https://t.co/imBjzomjWe">pic.twitter.com/imBjzomjWe</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1922233632711987659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

To date, Puerto has spent four years in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (2017-18, 2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24) and four seasons in the EuroCup (2015-16, 2016-17, 2021-22, 2024-25), although he only made one appearance in each of the 2015-16 and 2016-17 campaigns.

More Valencia News

He is currently in his ninth season in Las Taronjas' first team

A simple peak at the 2024-25 statistics might suggest that veteran forward Oz Blayzer had a sporadic and a minimal role in Hapoel Shlomo’s Tel Aviv's BKT EuroCup-winning season. 

Tribute to the Champs: Oz Blayzer

A simple peak at the 2024-25 statistics might suggest that veteran forward [Oz Blayzer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/oz-blayzer/009877/) had a sporadic and a minimal role in [Hapoel Shlomo’s Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/)'s BKT EuroCup-winning season. And his 16 appearances off the bench might strongly suggest so. Blayzer averaged 7:12 minutes per game this season, totaling 24 points and 19 rebounds. However, little do we know that without Blayzer, Hapoel might not have gone all the way.

Starting with Round 6, Blayzer appeared in all but one of the remaining regular-season games, and his most productive appearance was during 18 minutes in a 23-point road win against eventual EuroCup finalist Dreamland Gran Canaria. He had season highs with 5 points and 4 rebounds that night. Blayzer was a dependant role player for coach Dimitris Itoudis, happy to fill in any minutes and seconds needed.

But in a one-and-done quarterfinal tie against a dangerous Turk Telekom Ankara, Blayzer was asked to do something he has not done during the entire season – to step up in a close game. With a first-half injury to team captain Tomer Ginat, it was Blayzer’s number that was called. He spent 17 minutes on the floor, including seven minutes in the fourth quarter, and had a significant defensive contribution. It is hard to imagine how Hapoel, without the help of Blayzer, could have held Turk Telekom to just 5 points in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, build a double-digit lead and hold on to it until the end.

Blayzer became an unsung hero, and a shining example of Hapoel’s team unity and the importance of a 12-man roster. Thanks to that, the 32-year-old Blayzer and Hapoel can call themselves EuroCup champions.

Tribute to the Champs

All four teams heading to Abu Dhabi have EuroLeague Final Four newcomers on their rosters. Here’s a breakdown of them with a focus on those players most likely to leave their marks. 

What can we expect from the Final Four newcomers?

From now until the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four tips off at Etihad Arena on Friday, May 23, you will hear plenty about Final Four experience. But what about those new to the Final Four? What impact can they have?

Just last season, [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) was tied for the Final Four lead in rebounds (16 total) and ranked second in PIR (42) while teammate [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) was third in scoring (35 points) to help [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) take the crown. It was the first Final Four for both. Another Final Four rookie, [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/), was every bit as impactful for Panathinaikos with averages of 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in the games in Berlin.

[Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) needed no introduction to the Final Four. He was smashing records with Anadolu Efes Istanbul as he tallied 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for a PIR of 43 in his first game at the 2019 event in Vitoria-Gasteiz. [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vassilis-spanoulis/juo/) (2009 with Panathinaikos), [Tyrese Rice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyrese-rice/003367/) (2014 with Maccabi Tel Aviv) and [Andres Nocioni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/andres-nocioni/apr/) (2015 with Real Madrid) were all Final Four MVPs in their first time at the end-of-season extravaganza.

All four teams heading to Abu Dhabi have Final Four newcomers on their rosters. Here’s a breakdown of them with a focus on those players most likely to leave their marks.

### Olympiacos Piraeus

The Reds have three members of their senior roster who are heading to their first Final Four. Two of them – [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) and [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/) – are completing their first EuroLeague campaign, while the third, [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/), has not played yet this season due to a knee injury.

Evans would be the best Hollywood script. Olympiacos signed him to a multi-year deal last summer after he was originally hurt with his previous team, Zalgiris Kaunas, banking on him becoming a difference-maker after his return. But the recovery took longer than expected and even though he has returned to practice, it does not appear likely that Evans will play in Abu Dhabi, let alone make an impact.

Lee is Olympiacos’s best bet for instant offense off the bench. A midseason signing who poured in points for Maccabi in his first eight games and for Manisa Basket in Turkiye, Lee’s first year in Europe has been an eventful one. His ability to heat up and change games could prove critical at the Final Four.

Olympiacos guard Saben Lee.

If the exercise is to find the newcomer most likely to leave a mark in Abu Dhabi, for Olympiacos the answer is clearly Fournier. The swingman is second on the team in scoring and, after a dozen seasons in the NBA, during which he went to the playoffs four times, Fournier should be ready to shine under the bright lights for the Reds.

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

No fewer than six Fenerbahce players and four members of its backcourt could make their Final Four debuts this season. And several of them will have big roles.

Let’s start with [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), who leads the team in assists (3.7 apg.) and is third in scoring (11.1 ppg.). Baldwin missed a dozen games in this campaign, his first with Fenerbahce, and that in some ways limited his impact after he was an All-EuroLeague selection in each of the previous two seasons with Maccabi. While this may be his first Final Four, Baldwin has starred under the pressure of the playoffs before, including a 27-point, 7-assist masterpiece in a Game 5 loss with Maccabi at AS Monaco two years ago. Baldwin can be counted on as a go-to guy in Abu Dhabi.

[Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/) joined Fenerbahce during the season and has become a steadying force off the bench. At age 37, the former EuroCup champion and MVP marches into the Final Four comfortable in his role. The newcomer stigma should not apply to McCollum here at all.

[Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) has been a part-time starter this season and raised his scoring and PIR in the playoffs. While he has been impactful, especially on the defensive end, Hall has never been a player who posts big numbers and that is unlikely to change at this Final Four. [Arturs Zagars](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/arturs-zagars/008104/) did not feature at all in the playoffs and – barring something unexpected – should not have a role in Abu Dhabi.

Fenerbahce guard Devon Hall.

In the frontcourt, the newcomers are forward [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) and center [Jilson Bango](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jilson-bango/013696/). Colson is one of only two Fenerbahce players to appear in every game and his never-ending hustle has a way of popping up in big games. Bango is behind [Khem Birch](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khem-birch/007182/) and [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) on the depth chart, which limits his upside at the Final Four.

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

As the defending champs, it is only natural that the majority of Panathinaikos's roster has Final Four experience. Nevertheless, there are a few set to debut at the event this season. [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/) is the premier member of the Greens’ roster without prior Final Four experience and after he set and then re-set his EuroLeague scoring highs in Games 4 and 5 of the playoffs with 22 and 28 points, respectively, all signs point to Osman being a difference-maker again.

[Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/)'s role has dwindled over the season and he did not appear at all in the fifth and final game of the playoffs. That said, the 34-year-old playmaker has a history of stepping up in big moments, like he did last season for Maccabi with 29 points in the Play-In Showdown and a key role in the playoffs. If needed, Brown could be a surprise in Abu Dhabi.

The only EuroLeague rookie on the Panathinaikos roster is [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/), who joined the club midseason from Maccabi. Not a player known for his offensive impact, Gabriel can be counted on to make a difference with his energy, defense and rebounding. That should not change regardless of the pressure of the Final Four. Another center, [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/), is likely to take part in his first Final Four as an active player, though he was a part of the wider Fenerbahce roster when it reached the 2015 Final Four.

Panathinaikos center Omer Yurtseven.

### AS Monaco

The Monaco newcomers can be split into the big men upon whom Coach Spanoulis will rely and the fringe players not expected to have big roles. The former is made up of [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) and [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mam-jaiteh/002581/).

Theis joined Monaco in February after parts of eight seasons in the NBA. He appeared in 41 NBA playoff games, including the 2022 NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics. Theis also won the FIBA World Cup with the German national team. Jaiteh was the 2022 EuroCup MVP after leading Virtus Segafredo Bologna to that crown. These two centers should be ready for the challenges that the Final Four throws at them. The same is true of [Petr Cornelie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/petr-cornelie/004790/), who was a member of Real Madrid's 2023 championship-winning squad, but did not appear in a Final Four game.

Monaco center Daniel Theis.

Swingman [Terry Tarpey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/terry-tarpey/012515/), who is in his second season with Monaco, can lean on his experience at the EuroBasket and World Cup to prepare him for the pressures of the Final Four. [Vitto Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vitto-brown/013365/), who only made one appearance in the playoffs, and [Juhann Begarin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juhann-begarin/008161/), who did not play at all against FC Barcelona, are unlikely to have roles at the Final Four.

Let's examine which Final Four newcomers can be counted on to make the biggest impacts in Abu Dhabi

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-05-23T15:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v AS Monaco (2025-05-23T18:00:00.000Z)

Top  10 Plays | Season |  2024-25 BKT EuroCup 

Top 10 Plays | Season |  2024-25 BKT EuroCup 

Veteran playmaker Joe Ragland's experienced and cool head helped Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv navigate a challenging season that finished with the team celebrating winning the BKT EuroCup. 

Tribute to the Champs: Joe Ragland

Veteran playmaker [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/)'s experienced and cool head helped [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) navigate a challenging season that finished with the team celebrating winning the BKT EuroCup. 

Ragland, who had already played three successful seasons for two different clubs in Israel, was targeted for a starting role when he first joined Hapoel in the summer, but the unexpected signings of first Patrick Beverley and later Yam Madar limited his minutes. 

Nevertheless, Ragland was as effective a ball-handler as could be. He ranked third in the EuroCup in assists on a per-minute basis, as well as in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Ragland averaged 5.7 points, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 16:25 minutes per game. That translated into 9.7 assists prorated over 40 minutes and he dished 3.6 dimes for every turnover. He recorded at least 5 assists nine times despite not playing even 25 minutes in any game after Round 1. 

A back injury sidelined Ragland at the tail of the season; after not missing any time in the regular season, he was unable to suit up in the semifinals or the finals. However, as the lone player with previous EuroCup Finals experience (Ragland was a EuroCup runner-up in 2018 with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar), he made sure to contribute what he could in the locker room and on the bench to help push Hapoel over the final hurdles to make history. 

The playmaker's steady hand and cool head helped Hapoel navigate the challenging EuroCup waters


With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship on the line, now is the perfect time to lock up a front-row seat to all the action by purchasing the EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass, available from today (May 12) until May 25, the day of the title decider.

The EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass is now live!

With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship on the line, now is the perfect time to lock up a front-row seat to all the action by purchasing the [EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass](https://tv.euroleague.net/), available from today (May 12) until May 25, the day of the title decider.

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) heads to Abu Dhabi with the goal of retaining its crown, but [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) will not make things easy in a repeat of last season’s semifinal matchup. The other two teams at the Final Four, [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) and [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/), lock horns for a spot in the championship game, just like they did back in 2023. The two semifinal games take place on May 23, with the third-place game and championship game being played on May 25.

With the EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass, you will gain access to both semifinals, the third-place game and the championship game – all the click of a button away. What’s more, you will receive a 20% discount on next season’s EuroLeague TV Annual Pass, with this reduction valid until June 30, 2025.

So, what are you waiting for? Become the envy of your friends and lock in your EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass now.

One pass. Four teams. Endless glory.

Get 20% off next season’s Annual Pass by signing up for this Final Four package

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that Trendyol, one of the world’s leading e-commerce marketplaces, has become an Official Partner of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, which takes place from May 23 to 25 at the iconic Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Trendyol Becomes Official Partner of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four 2025 in Abu Dhabi

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that Trendyol, one of the world’s leading e-commerce marketplaces, has become an Official Partner of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, which takes place from May 23 to 25 at the iconic Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Founded in 2010, Trendyol has rapidly expanded its international footprint, now operating across 27 European countries, Azerbaijan and having made a strong entrance into the Gulf markets in 2023. The brand has become one of the most downloaded shopping apps in the region, serving over three million customers. This new partnership underscores Trendyol’s ongoing commitment to the world of sports, building on its existing support for football, volleyball, and Olympic disciplines.

Paulius Motiejunas, Chief Executive Officer of Euroleague Basketball, said: "It is a pleasure to welcome Trendyol as an Official Partner of the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four. Partnering with a leader in the e-commerce sector with a strong presence in the UAE highlights the EuroLeague’s global appeal and growing influence in new territories."

Çağlayan Çetin, President of Trendyol Group, said: "We are proud to partner with the EuroLeague for this iconic event in the UAE. As a brand committed to innovation and the growth of sport, this collaboration is a natural step in our journey to expand our impact across key markets and connect with a wider international audience."

The Trendyol brand will be displayed on on-court promotional platforms at the magnificent Etihad Arena, where AS Monaco, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Olympiacos Piraeus, and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens will compete to become the 2025 EuroLeague champion. Trendyol will also have a strong presence at the Final Four FanZone, the central meeting point for all devoted fans throughout the event.

This high-profile collaboration further cements the EuroLeague’s influence in the Gulf region and reflects Trendyol’s ongoing investment in connecting communities through world-class sporting events.

Top 10 Assists | PLAYOFFS | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Top 10 Blocks | PLAYOFFS | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Dovydas Buika, who has broken into the first team of Zalgiris Kaunas this season, is ready to shine at the 2025 NextGen EuroLeague Finals.

Individual training with EuroLeague vet Seibutis helps Buika become star of own movie

There were 2:30 minutes left in Zalgiris Kaunas’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague home game against ALBA Berlin in Round 25 when it was time for [Dovydas Buika](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/buika-dovydas/011330/)’s moment. Time for the 18-year-old talent to make his EuroLeague debut – and receive the confirmation of all the work he has been putting in.

Buika will never forget February 4 when he entered that game at Zalgirio Arena and ended his first EuroLeague appearance with one missed three-pointer, 1 assist and 1 steal. 

“I feel amazing, a dream come true. I was close to tears,” Buika was quoted on social media after the game.

“I vividly remember the EuroLeague debut to this day. It felt like being in a movie, having the chance to step on the court in front of 15,000+ home fans was truly unforgettable experience,” he told the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague website. 

Two days earlier, Buika had actually made his Lithuanian League debut against BKT EuroCup side Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius. He has since played in another EuroLeague game as well as amassing six appearances in the Lithuanian LKL, practicing with the pro team almost every day.

“The biggest thing I learned is that you have to be a team player, and you have to sacrifice your own priorities for the team’s needs,” said Buika, who is averaging 3.7 points in 11 minutes in Lithuania’s top flight.

“If the team needs you to go out there for a few seconds and make a foul, you have to do it, because it helps the team to win the game. Every single guy on the team has to have the same mindset and only then the team can succeed.”

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Buika says he has been helped by all of Zalgiris’s pro players, adding: “They are always there to help if you have questions, and they try to mentor me as much as possible, which I am really grateful for.”

But it’s actually been former Zalgiris player and long-time Lithuanian international [Renaldas Seibutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/renaldas-seibutis/kno/) who Buika gives the most credit for his recent improvement. 

“I’ve been training individually with him in the regular season every week. He helped me to work on my game a lot,” Buika said of Seibutis, who played 97 EuroLeague games for Olympiacos Piraeus, Rytas Vilnius and Zalgiris and played at two Olympics, three FIBA World Cups and two FIBA EuroBasket tournaments. 

Buika also said playing for Zalgiris head coach Andrea Trinchieri has been very rewarding.

“Coach Trinchieri has a really deep understanding of the game. He sees the things on the basketball court from the angles that are hard to comprehend and he demands effort, selflessness and thinking on the court,” he said. 

“Playing for him you have to give it your all on the court all the time; and you have to enjoy the game, play with the flow, add your own touch to the game without being robotic.”

Buika is thrilled that he will have a chance to show the world what he can do on the big youth stage now that [U18 Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/teams/u18-zalgiris-kaunas/jza/) received a wild card for [the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/2024-25-nextgen-finals-teams-and-calendar-announced/) later this month in Abu Dhabi.

“When I found out that we got the wildcard to this year’s Finals I was extremely happy, especially after not getting it last year,” he said. “It is another great opportunity and an honor to showcase our team and our organization in such a tournament."

Zalgiris was given the wild card after finishing second at the NextGen EuroLeague Ulm tournament, losing 91-89 to U18 FC Barcelona in the first-place game. Buika was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 20.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals for an average performance index rating of 22.2. 

“I remember the loss to Barcelona like it was yesterday. That game was a very intense battle between two really good teams and I believe that in the end the luck wasn’t really on our side,” said Buika, who collected 26 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists for a PIR of 30.

“We learned that we have to stay focused and ready for 40 minutes straight without relaxing and that we have to fight for every loose ball until the very end. Of course, losing the first place game adds extra motivation for Abu Dhabi and we will go there with clear intentions to win,” Buika said. 

Zalgiris is one of six clubs with two NextGen titles (2003 and 2007) and also played in three NextGen Championship Games (2005, 2006 and 2011). 

“I believe that the Zalgiris organization is one of the best youth systems in all of Europe, and the two championships prove exactly that,” Buika said. “Our team will give it our all, go into every game like it’s the final and try to add one more trophy to the two we have already brought home. To do that we will need to support each other all the time. It doesn’t matter how tough things get, and we will have to leave it all on the court.”

These lessons have been pivotal in Dovydas Buika's journey as he made his dream come true by debuting in the EuroLeague.

Dovydas Buika will be one of the leaders for U18 Zalgiris Kaunas at the NextGen Finals

U18 Pole France INSEP Paris v U18 Zalgiris Kaunas (2025-05-22T10:30:00.000Z)

Top 10 Dunks | PLAYOFFS | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

While the star players got most of the attention, there were some surprise players who really left their mark on each of the four playoff series.

The unlikely players who helped swing the 2025 EuroLeague Playoffs

While most of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s usual suspects delivered what was expected of them in the playoffs, there were some other – perhaps unheralded – players who stepped up big time to raise the level of their game and make a decisive impact in the most crucial moment of the season before the Final Four.

Eurohoops gives its flowers to five guys who left their mark in the playoffs and helped their teams advance to the Final Four.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1822647/the-unlikely-players-who-helped-swing-the-2025-playoffs/)**.**

In each of the four playoff series, there were unexpected individuals who really came to the fore

Top 10 Assists | Season | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Look back at all the action from Playoffs Game 5 by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Game 5 of the playoffs

Top 10 Plays | PLAYOFFS | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

After an intense five-game series against Anadolu Efes, Panathinaikos BC rubber-stamped its place at the 2024 EuroLeague Final Four.

Team effort carried Panathinaikos to the Final Four

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) will get a shot at winning back-to-back titles in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after the reigning champs [overpowered Anadolu Efes Istanbul 3-2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-downs-efes-in-game-5-75-67-to-reach-final-four/) in an emotionally charged series which brought the best out of both teams.

Efes had defied the odds to reach the playoffs and then took the grueling matchup with Panathinaikos down to the wire, but the competition’s holder had more left in the tank in Game 5 and prevailed on the back of a vintage [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/) performance.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝑾𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 📖☘️<br><br>Osman delivered on every level, setting six career highs to help seal our Final Four spot! 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToAbuDhabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToAbuDhabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/CeEGEFnN8D">pic.twitter.com/CeEGEFnN8D</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1920121230264312230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

All eyes were on the Greek giant’s top performer [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), who headed into the series as the regular season’s MVP and top scorer, but the former Los Angeles Lakers guard misfired throughout except in Game 3, when he poured 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor.

In the wake of relentless hustle and airtight defense from his makers, Nunn made a mere 17 of 60 in the other four games, including 8 of 31 from downtown as he kept getting driven out of the danger zone time and again by a flurry of double-teams.

However, Nunn’s teammates stepped up to the plate when the push came to shove and Osman came to the fore in Game 5 with a career-high 28 points and 8 boards, lifting the Greens to a 75-67 win which booked a ticket for the 2025 Final Four in Abu Dhabi.

Game 5: Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul

In Game 1, which Panathinaikos won 87-83, [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) posted career highs of 20 points and 16 boards while [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/), [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/), [Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) and veteran [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) also contributed at various junctions to steer the Greens across the finish line.

Nunn was instrumental in Game 3, which the team’s head coach Ergin Ataman billed as the one that ultimately determined the outcome of the entire series.

Ataman also hailed Osman’s heroics in Game 5, as the 30-year-old forward scored 12 points in the first quarter and eight in the fourth, when Panathinaikos held off a strong Efes fightback after the home team’s offense had stalled for long spells in the second half.

“Winning Game 3 in Istanbul changed the series as it allowed us to keep home-court advantage and that gave us the confidence to start tonight’s game with amazing defense and a barrage of fast-break points,” Ataman told the post-game press conference.

“Cedi had an amazing game – it was his best performance of the season for Panathinaikos – as we found a way to win and advance to the Final Four once again.

“Nunn didn’t find his rhythm tonight and it’s true that Efes played great defense on him throughout the series. He was nervous in the second half and missed some of his regular shots but the important thing is that he played great defense. He will come good at the Final Four.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠: 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 ☘️<br><br>Ergin Ataman gave a sharp speech bringing the back-to-back energy!🔥🏆<br><br>Full video on CLUB 1908 📲<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn">https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://t.co/koZbrKjddA">pic.twitter.com/koZbrKjddA</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1920059465941803419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ataman also revealed how demanding it was to play against his former club after he guided Efes to successive titles in 2021 and 2022.

“It was very stressful for me to play against my ex team, with so many memories involved,” he said. “Now, I need to rest before I start thinking about the semifinal. All four teams going to the Final Four will be in with a chance of winning it, so we are taking it one step at a time.”

Panathinaikos is up against [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) and the matchup will rekindle Ataman’s fierce rivalry with Fenerbahce from his Efes days, while current bitter foe [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) takes on [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) in the other semifinal. The showpiece event will present Ataman with a chance to win another set of back-to-back titles, having reached the EuroLeague summit in his first season with Panathinaikos after he took over in the summer of 2023.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">«Στο Άμπου Ντάμπι θα ‘ρθω…» as <a href="https://twitter.com/cediosman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cediosman</a> said! 🗣️💚<br><br>Full video available now on CLUB 1908 📲<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn">https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToAbuDhabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToAbuDhabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/And1pCFF6O">pic.twitter.com/And1pCFF6O</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1919875505127383455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Efes head coach Luca Banchi was left to ponder and wonder what might have been had his team been able to produce slightly better offense in Game 5, having shot a poor 14 of 23 from the foul line and a miserable 10 of 32 from inside.

The Turkish team matched Panathinaikos tit-for-tat for the vast majority of the series but on Tuesday Banchi’s men paid the price for an awful start to the game, as they were left with a mountain to climb after falling behind 36-13 midway through the second quarter.

“Both teams fought for every possession in all five games and although we lost, we showed the personality to overcome difficulties,” the Italian tactician said. “It wasn’t a good night for us offensively and to win this game we needed to do something special. We missed nine free throws and in a game as big as this one that’s crucial.”

Banchi also heaped praise on his outfit for an impressive late surge in the regular season which saw Efes leap over more likely postseason candidates into the playoffs.

“The bigger picture is that back in February when we were 13th in the standings, reaching the playoffs looked like mission impossible, so what the guys produced in the last two months is impressive,” he stressed.  “Eight wins in a row to finish the regular season in sixth place and every contest was a do-or-die game.”

Game News

With their pack leader Kendrick Nunn stifled out, the Greens relied on their supporting cast to reach the Final Four

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-05-06T18:45:00.000Z)

Euroleague Basketball congratulates Olympiacos Piraeus forward Sasha Vezenkov as the winner of the Most Valuable Player Award for the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

Sasha Vezenkov is the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs MVP

Euroleague Basketball congratulates [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) forward [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) as the winner of the Most Valuable Player Award for the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs. The forward left his fingerprints all over his team's playoff series as the Reds eliminated 2024 runner-up Real Madrid in four games. 

Vezenkov was a constant force for Olympiacos, averaging 19.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting an impressive 60.6% on two-pointers. His overall efficiency was equally remarkable, posting a Performance Index Rating (PIR) of 22.8, which led all players in the playoffs. Most telling of his impact, Vezenkov accounted for 23.8% of Olympiacos’s total points in the series, underscoring his central role in the team’s offensive success.

The award marks the first time that Euroleague Basketball has named a Playoffs MVP and it is only fitting that a signature player such as Vezenkov would win it. The 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP, now in his sixth season with Olympiacos, was last month named to the All-EuroLeague First Team for the third time.

Vezenkov was his usual dominant self at the series' onset against Real. He tallied 23 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals for a PIR of 31 in an 84-71 victory in the opener and followed that with 22 points and 9 rebounds in the second game at Peace & Friendship Stadium. When the series moved to the Spanish capital, Real took Game 3 despite 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 dimes from its virtuoso.  

Needing a win in Game 4 to close out the series, Vezenkov's MVP credentials could be seen as he rose to the moment when it mattered most, even as his well-known shooting prowess briefly failed him. Vezenkov was held scoreless for the first two and a half quarters, before coming alive to score a flurry of 7 points late in the third quarter. He then had a hand in 14 of Olympiacos’s 18 fourth-quarter points - through assists, offensive rebounds to extend possessions and a clutch triple with 2 minutes remaining - to seal both the game and the series with veteran poise and unshakable composure. He finished that game with 10 points and a season-high 6 assists. 

With his blend of scoring efficiency, leadership, and timely heroics, Vezenkov proved instrumental in Olympiacos’s march through the playoffs. And now he leads the Reds to Abu Dhabi, where he will target his first EuroLeague crown. 

The Olympiacos forward is the first winner of the award


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