Javier Gancedo shares his recommendations for the coming week in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge
Fantasy tips, Round 19: Javier Gancedo is back in the hot seat
Fantasy Challenge
3 Min lectura
The first half of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season comes to an end this week. Since we had unlimited trades last week, I thought it would be best to stay away from superstars of choice and instead, I will offer a few suggestions on players who are not that expensive to play alongside the big names in the game. But before all that, let's review Geoff Gillingham's recommendations last week.
Geoff recommended McKinley Wright of Dubai Basketball. Not a very risky choice as pretty much everyone had him, but he delivered with 33.0 fantasy points and earned 1.0 credits, so that's a big win. Luca Vildoza of Virtus Bologna had 21.0 points and earned 0.4 credits, so well done, Geoff! Joel Parra of FC Barcelona did not have his best game against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, getting 3.0 points and losing 0.3 credits. It was an interesting choice without Toko Shengelia and Will Clyburn, but it just didn't work.
Jaylen Hoard of Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv had 15.4 points and kept his value. I will call it a tie, because when you spend 15.1 credits in a player, you want him to do better than 15.4. Finally, Richaun Holmes of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens had -2.7 fantasy points and lost 0.6 credits. Bad call. So it's two wins, two losses and one tie for Geoff.
Let's see how I do this week. Here we go:
Matt Costello, Valencia Basket (10.2 credits)
Kameron Taylor is everyone's player of choice in Valencia, so I am offering an alternative. Matt Costello played well against Baskonia last week, getting 18 points and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 22. He's had PIRs of 19 or higher in three of the last four games. He should keep it going at home against Partizan.
Talen Horton-Tucker, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (11.5 credits)
One of the best newcomers this season, Talen Horton-Tucker has been playing better and better as the season has progressed. Over the last four games, Horton-Tucker has averaged 21.3 points on 30 of 45 two-pointer shooting (66.7% 2FG), 4.0 rebounds and 6.0 fouls drawn for a PIR of 20.8. At just 11.5 credits, Horton-Tucker is a steal.
Cedi Osman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (12.7 credits)
The Greek Derby is coming and, as always, it is time for the most experienced players to step up. Cedi Osman has averaged 19.5 points and a PIR of 23.0 over the last two games, in which he has made all 6 of his two-point shots and 7 of 11 three-pointers. Osman has a reputation for doing well in big games, so this is a good chance for him.
Nick Weiler-Babb, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (11.9 credits)
Nick Weiler-Babb has been playing much better since Coach Pablo Laso joined the team. In the last three games, Weiler-Babb has averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists with just 1.0 turnover per game for an average PIR of 21.7. If he keeps passing the ball with such efficiency, his value should keep skyrocketing.
Nigel Williams-Goss, Zalgiris Kaunas (10.3 credits)
It didn't take Nigel Williams-Goss much time to bounce back from an injury and start playing great again. Over the last four games, Williams-Goss has averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 assists and a PIR of 18.0. All eyes are on Sylvain Francisco, but quietly, as usual, Williams-Goss is getting great numbers night in, night out.