Turk Telekom shows no signs of slowing down after defeating Panionios Cosmoroma Travel Athens 95-67 on Tuesday in front of their home crowd. 

Turk Telekom keeps rolling as strong second half seals win over Panionios

Turk Telekom shows no signs of slowing down after defeating Panionios Cosmoroma Travel Athens 95-67 on Tuesday in front of their home crowd. Riding the wind of a winning streak, the Ankara side keeps rolling with confidence.

It all began with that turning point in Round 3, and the blue-and-whites have carried that momentum through three straight wins. Sharper defense, settled backcourt dynamics, and Michael Devoe’s growing impact have helped Telekom find its flow.

Coming off an early-season injury, Devoe has been key in the backcourt rotation.

"I think it’s our team chemistry. We all are really getting along with each other. We are just keeping building, game by game," Devoe said.

That chemistry showed up in the second half, with Devoe and Jaleen Smith standing out. Smith shook off Telekom’s first-half struggles from deep and made 6 of 10 three-pointers to finish with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Devoe ran the backcourt with poise, adding 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, feeding teammates and keeping the momentum firmly with the hosts.

After a balanced start, with both teams trading easy buckets in the first quarter, Turk Telekom turned up the intensity on defense in the second and carried a 7-point lead into halftime.

The third quarter saw a transformed Telekom step onto the court. Sharing the ball effortlessly and fixing earlier struggles from deep, Kyle Alexander dominated inside as Telekom took control of the paint. The lead quickly stretched to 30 points, and Telekom never looked back.

"Especially the effort that we gave defensively in the third quarter was the key," Coach Erdem Can explained. "We tried to keep the pace up throughout the game... It’s a very important win for us, but also it’s just one win. We need to continue with the same aggressiveness. It’s a long season, we have a lot of games."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a finish from Kyle Alexander 😤<a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TT_Basketbol</a> <a href="https://t.co/e4umVucQw4">pic.twitter.com/e4umVucQw4</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1985751377327308918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For Panionios, the first quarter showed flashes of promise, particularly through Keron DeShields. The matchup marked the EuroCup debut for both DeShields and Kostas Gontikas, and the Greek side was still searching for rhythm while dealing with injury issues.

DeShields contributed 17 points, while Markel Starks and Giorgos Tsalmpouris added 11 and 10, respectively, keeping Panionios competitive early on. But the second half proved much tougher. Turk Telekom’s aggressive defense forced the Greek side into struggles, with Panionios managing just 9 points in the third quarter and never finding a way back into the game.

Coach Ilias Zouros, in only his second EuroCup game as the team's head coach, reflected on the challenges his team faced.

"We had two new players in the team. They just arrived yesterday. The biggest problem for our team was we didn’t play together. This is my biggest complaint about the game of today. In the third quarter and the fourth quarter, we didn’t play as a team, we played as individuals, and this is wrong. Anyway, this game is over for us. We have to think about the next game."

In Round 7, Turk Telekom will look to carry its momentum on the road against Lietkabelis Panevezys. Panionios Athens, meanwhile, will aim for its second win of the season when it faces the London Lions.

Game News

Michael Devoe stepped up to spark the home team in the second half

Turk Telekom Ankara v Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens (2025-11-04T16:00:00.000Z)

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 6 of the 2025-26 EuroCup season, and who might be missing in action.

Round 6: Pregame quotes and injury reports

## Wednesday, November 5

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (18:00 CET)

**Mihai Silvasan, Cluj head coach**

"We’re facing a team that has changed a lot, just like we have. They kept a few of their key players from last year, and I’m referring here to Nikolic, who is their main scorer, and Stewart, who is in his third year with the team, a complete player who helps them a lot. They also have some injury problems, and they’ve recently signed a new center who will most likely make his debut against us. I believe we are ready, we want to keep up our good performances, have the right mentality, and stay very focused on what we have to do, on our own game. We’re trying to improve the aspects of our play that have caused us issues so far, especially on defense. They average fewer rebounds and points than we do, but they are better when it comes to turnovers. I think one of the keys to the game will be taking care of the ball on offense and not allowing easy baskets on fast breaks."

**Dusan Miletic, Cluj center**

"Definitely a tough game, because we play against a physical and experienced team that has been in the EuroCup for many years. I think our advantage will be the home court, for sure, and I think we’ve gained some confidence after the last games, so we need to keep the momentum. It’s really important for us to play at home, especially in this atmosphere, with this amazing crowd, where the energy is different, so it’s really important to protect the home court."

**Zvezdan Mitrovic, Cedevita Olimpija head coach**

"Cluj is a very serious team, which they’ve been proving with their performances in both competitions. Going into the game, they are the favorites. They’re a team that averages 97 points per game in the EuroCup, which says a lot. That means our defense will have to be at a very high level. We’re definitely facing a tough challenge, as they have excellent and quick players on the perimeter, and transition is one of their main weapons. It’s going to take a lot of running, defense, and fighting for rebounds. We’ll see on Wednesday how well-prepared we are for all these tasks."

**Umoja Gibson, Cedevita Olimpija guard**

"We expect a very intense game. We know that Cluj has exceptional players on the perimeter, as well as very strong ones under the basket. We need to prepare well and control the pace of the game. It’s definitely going to be an exciting matchup, and we’ll be ready for the challenge."

Dusan Miletic

### Neptunas Kleipeda vs. BAXI Manresa (18:00 CET)

\--

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (18:00 CET)

**Yonatan Alon, Jerusalem head coach**

"We have a lot of respect for Bahcesehir and how they play. Their results so far show that they are the best team in the competition. We belive in ourselves and are going to give our best, all that we can, to win this game."

### ratiopharm ulm vs. London Lions (19:00 CET)

\--

### Aris Thessaloniki Betsson vs. Slask Wroclaw (19:00 CET)

**Igor Milicic, Aris head coach**

"Everyone will be ready for tomorrow except for Giouzelis. We also have a few other minor issues, but they should be resolved by the time of the game. Slask has played five games in EuroCup, mostly against teams that we have also faced. It definitely won’t be an easy game for us, but it will certainly be the most important game of the season so far. We’re not thinking about the next games, our focus is entirely on tomorrow’s match. For us, every game is the most important one as we try to change the image of the team. We are fully focused and determined to turn the situation around."

**Lefteris Bochoridis, Aris guard**

"Slask is a very good team, with a quite talented and quality group of players. We don’t have the luxury to distinguish between opponents or to underestimate any team. I believe it’s a good opportunity that we have a game again so soon, as it gives us the chance to step on the court and show a different picture."

Lefteris Bochoridis

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (20:00 CET)

**Neven Spahija, Reyer head coach**

"After the day off, we got back to work and I saw a lot of energy on the court. All the players are healthy and we have prepared well for the game against Hamburg. We are facing a team that hasn't had many wins so far, but they are very dangerous for that very reason. They play at a high pace, putting a lot of desire and intensity on the court, and they never give up. We will have to play serious basketball, with our energy and even more focus. We are ready. In the last game against Varese we won, but without playing our best basketball: we were heavily affected by the travel, but now the conditions are completely different."

**Carl Wheatle, Reyer forward**

"We have to play a tough game, a very important one for our standings, and we'll be doing it in front of our home crowd. It will probably be a hard-fought game. At this point in the season, all games are fundamental for us, especially in a week with so many back-to-back commitments. Playing at home is always important for us, so we will try to do our best to win. We want this victory both to find rhythm and consistency as a team, and, obviously, for the standings."

**Reyer injury report:** There are no injuries to report.

## Tuesday, November 4

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens (17:00 CET)

**Ilias Zouros, Panionios head coach**

"It’s a difficult and demanding game. What we want is to show a competitive face and present a good team image, despite our absences and bad luck, against a very strong and quality opponent."

**Nate Watson, Panionios center**

"It’s a tough game against a very good team. We really want to get our first road win, and for that reason, we’re looking forward to the challenge."

**Panionios injury report:** George Papas, Michalis Lountzis and Tyler Wahl are ruled out.

Nate Watson

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (19:00 CET)

**Andrej Zakelj, Buducnost head coach**

"We know who we’re up against — Besiktas is one of the favorites to win the EuroCup. Lately, they’ve been playing at a really high level: aggressive, fast, with great individual players, but also as a very well-connected team. It’s going to be a tough test for us, but also a great opportunity to show that we can compete at this level.We have a lot to improve if we want to be competitive, but we’re playing on our home court and we’ll do everything we can to surprise Besiktas. The key will be energy and fighting spirit — diving for every ball, playing tough, aggressive, and as a true team. With the support of our fans, I believe we can give our maximum and get the win."

**Rasheed Sulaimon, Buducnost guard**

"It’s a big game — two top-level teams going head-to-head. These are the kinds of games every basketball player loves to prepare for. I’m expecting, and I know we’ll have, a great crowd and an amazing atmosphere. We’ll do our best to make our fans proud, feed off their energy, and leave everything on the floor. It’s going to be a physical, high-intensity battle — two tough teams with rich histories, two great coaches, and high-level players. I believe the game will come down to the details: execution, focus, and toughness. The team that stays sharper, more physical, and more resilient will be the one that comes out on top."

Andrej Zakelj

### Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. NINERS Chemnitz (19:30 CET)

**Frederic Fauthoux, Bourg head coach**

"They are very highly ranked in the German League. They are a very aggressive team defensively, with a well-structured and very athletic style of play. It will therefore be a difficult game, but it's a game we absolutely must win at home."

**Tre Mitchell, Bourg center**

"We expect a very physical game. Chemnitz is probably one of the most physical teams in the German League, so they will inevitably impose their physical style of play."

Tre Mitchell

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Lietkabelis Panevezys (20:00 CET)

**Fabio Bongi, Trento assistant coach**

"It will definitely be a tough game. Playing at home can help us, but we need to recover well after the effort we put in against Virtus Bologna. We are facing a team that has made organization, both offensively and defensively, one of its trademarks. They have very talented players like Flowers and Morris, quality in every position, and they are extremely physical with great size. One of the characteristics that has distinguished them for many seasons is their ability to play well together, moving the ball consistently and having clear ideas on defense as well. It will be a demanding test, but we know how crucial it will be to stay within our system, with everyone bringing their own brick to build a strong performance in front of our fans."

**Matas Jogela, Trento forward**

"Lietkabelis is a great team, and it’s never easy to face them because they have a lot of experience, they play smart basketball, and they’re very aggressive on defense. If we want to try to win, we need to impose our game, sharing the ball to create open shots. Being aggressive on both ends of the floor will be crucial. We know how important this game is: even though we’ve only played five games so far, every single one matters, especially at home, if we want to try to reach the playoffs."

Matas Jogela

Umana Reyer Venice v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2025-11-05T19:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm ulm v London Lions (2025-11-05T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris Thessaloniki Betsson v Slask Wroclaw (2025-11-05T18:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-11-05T17:00:00.000Z)

Neptunas Klaipeda v BAXI Manresa (2025-11-05T17:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (2025-11-05T17:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Lietkabelis Panevezys (2025-11-04T19:00:00.000Z)

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v NINERS Chemnitz (2025-11-04T18:30:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (2025-11-04T18:00:00.000Z)

When you start the season with two straight defeats, it's very easy to lose your balance and then it all goes downhill. However, an early test in the season can also bring the best out of you, and so far that's the story of Turk Telekom Ankara in the BKT EuroCup.

Turk Telekom Ankara setting the bar high despite bad start

When you start the season with two straight defeats, it's very easy to lose your balance and then it all goes downhill.

However, an early test in the season can also bring the best out of you, and so far that's the story of [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/) in the BKT EuroCup.

After a heartbreaking home defeat to ratiopharm ulm in the first round and a road loss to Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse, the Turkish team was seemingly outmatched by two top contenders and things were not looking good.

However, three weeks later, everything has changed, with coach Erdem Can's unit beating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica at home and the duo of Dolomiti Energia Trento and the London Lions on the road.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1889562/turk-telekom-ankara-setting-the-bar-high-despite-bad-start/).

More Turk Telekom News

After starting the season with two defeats, Turk Telekom has already turned things around and is looking like a EuroCup contender again

Panionios Cosmorama Travel announced on Monday that it has signed guard Keron DeShields and big man Kostas Gontikas for the remainder of the season. 

Panionios bolsters roster with Kostas Gontikas, Keron DeShields 

Panionios Cosmorama Travel announced on Monday that it has signed guard Keron DeShields and big man Kostas Gontikas for the remainder of the season.

DeShields (1.91 meters, 32 years old) brings experience from multiple leagues across Europe and beyond. He has suited up for teams in Italy, Hungary, Israel, Greece, Lithuania, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon as well as for the Syrian national team.

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In his previous stint in Greece, DeShields finished the 2017-18 season with Rethymno Cretan Kings. He most recently suited up for Syria at the 2025 Asia Cup, where he averaged 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists over three games in August. The veteran guard is due to make his EuroCup debut with Panionios.

Gontikas (2.06 meters, 31 years old) is a Greek international who has spent his entire professional career in Greece, spare shorts stints in Romania and Iceland. He has suited up for Panathinaikos Athens, Apollon Patras, Ifaistos Limnou, Peristeri, AEK Athens, Ionikas Nikaias, AS Karditas, Kolossos and Lavrio.

More Panionios news

Both players are due to make their EuroCup debuts

Panionios bolsters roster with Keron DeShields, Kostas Gontikas

Aquila Basket Trento guard DeVante Jones spoke with Javier Gancedo in this week's EuroCup interview.

DeVante Jones: 'I’m hoping to have Victor Wembanyama in Trento soon'

[Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/trn/) has been one of the most successful road teams in the BKT EuroCup this season. In Round 5, the Italian side [defeated Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens 87-91](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/surprisingly-smarter-trento-rallied-big-to-sting-panionios/), coming from behind in the fourth quarter. [DeVante Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/devante-jones/013260/) played a key role, scoring nine of his 20 points in the final five minutes, including a clutch go-ahead basket and free throws to seal the win.

This is Jones’s second EuroCup season, after a year with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. So far, he’s averaging 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and a PIR of 17.2. Off the court, he stays close with former teammate Victor Wembanyama, the NBA's rising star. Jones and Wembanyama keep in touch, and Jones is hopeful that Wembanyama might visit him in Trento soon, as he revealed to Euroleague.net's Javier Gancedo. 

DeVante Jones joined Dolomiti Energia Trento this season. 

Round 1-5 highlights: DeVante Jones, Trento

**Q: DeVante, let's start with the win over Panionios. You rallied in the fourth quarter and never lost faith. What helped you get this important road win?**

“Thanks. As a team, we just haven’t been in situations like that much this season. Toto \[Forray\] was a big help – he’s a great leader. He kept reminding us to stay calm, be patient, and stick to our game plan. Towards the end, Coach \[Massimo Cancellieri\] wanted me to have the ball in my hands to make plays, and my teammates trusted me. That trust really helped me make the right decisions down the stretch.”

**Q: You've had great success on the road, but a couple of tough losses at home. How do you translate that road mentality into your home games?**

“We just need to be more consistent. We’ve got to use our home crowd to our advantage, that ‘sixth man’ energy that can lift us when we’re tired or struggling to score. On the road, we have a chip on our shoulder because we know we’re facing tough environments, but at home, we should have that same mindset. Hopefully, we can bring that same focus to our home games before the season’s over.”

**Q: You’ve already had three 20-point games this season. Is this the kind of role you envisioned when you joined Trento, maybe a bigger role than what you had in Ljubljana with Cedevita Olimpija?**

“I definitely wanted more responsibility, but not just as a scorer. I knew I could make plays at a high level, so having the ball in my hands has been a big part of my role. I’m one of those guards who can do a little bit of everything – score, pass, defend, rebound. Trento’s done a great job of letting me showcase my abilities on both ends of the court. This year, I've been asked to step up as a scorer more often, which is fine with me because my teammates trust me to take those shots.”

<center>
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**Q: Let's talk about a couple of your teammates. First, Cheickh Niang, one of the youngest players in the league. His brother already plays in the EuroLeague and for the Italian national team. How do you see his potential?**

“Cheickh reminds me a lot of Bilal Coulibaly, the kid from the \[Washington\] Wizards – both are very athletic, great defenders, and just have a lot of potential. I really like Cheickh. He’s always working hard, getting extra shots in, and putting in the work before and after practice. I’m always trying to keep him focused and pushing him to improve. The sky’s the limit for him.”

**Q: And then there’s the veteran, Toto Forray, a Trento legend. How important is it to have someone like him in the locker room, showing the new guys what it means to be part of this team and city?**

“Toto is huge for us. He’s one of those leaders who just brings people together effortlessly. He’s always cracking jokes, making sure everyone feels comfortable, not just with basketball but with life in Trento. He helps us get acclimated to the city and the culture. We’ve got a group chat where he’s always checking in, making sure everyone has what they need. On the court, he’s a great player too. He’s always hustling, always showing what it means to play the ‘Trento way.’ Having him around is like having a cheat code.”

**Q: You spent your first season in Europe with Victor Wembanyama at Metropolitans 92. What do you remember from that experience, and how was it playing with him?**

“It was great. I wish I’d been able to take full advantage of that experience because it went by so fast! But I got really close with Victor, and we still talk today. Playing with him was amazing. From getting police escorts to every game to seeing him work before and after every game, his work ethic is unbelievable. Not only as a player but as a person – he’s really humble and down-to-earth. It was awesome watching him grow, and now seeing him do well in the NBA, it’s amazing. Everything about that year was great.”

**Q: You and Victor stay in touch, do you think he follows your games, or the EuroCup and EuroLeague games in general?**

“Yeah, I think he’s been watching some of my games this season. I’ve talked to him about coming out to one whenever he has the chance, so hopefully he’ll make it to a game. We’re still talking about it, trying to figure out when it works for both of us. So, I’m hoping to have him in Trento soon!”

<center>
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**Q: This is your second EuroCup season after Ljubljana. Does the experience from last year help you settle in more comfortably this time around?**

“Definitely. Having a season under my belt makes a big difference. I know what to expect from the players, the refs, the physicality, and the crowds. So, it’s much easier to adjust this time. And it’s also fun for me because I can help the younger guys understand what to expect. They’re learning the difference between the EuroCup and the Italian League, so it’s been a lot of fun so far.”

**Q: Up next is Lietkabelis, a must-win game if you want to keep your playoff hopes alive. Is that the mentality you’re bringing into this game?**

“Absolutely. It’s the same mentality we had going into the Panionios game. They’re kind of struggling, but they’ll give us their best shot. This is a crucial game for us, just like the last one. In EuroCup, sometimes it comes down to one game or even one point for the playoffs. So, it’s huge. We’ve got to bring our best, and I know they’ll be coming at us hard, too. I can’t wait for it.”

**Q: Trento is in its 10th EuroCup season, and you’ve also experienced basketball in Ljubljana. How are you enjoying the opportunity to experience different basketball cultures?**

“I’m really enjoying it. Experiencing different basketball cultures is a blessing. The guys around me are open to sharing their cultures, and it’s just a great feeling to learn new things every day. Getting closer with the team and seeing the brotherhood form is something special. It’s an experience I’ll always treasure.”

More Trento News

The guard spoke with Javier Gancedo in this week's EuroCup interview

Balancing out your rosters for Round 6 of the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge may be a bit of a challenge. Here are five inexpensive suggestions who just might help your team: Matas Jogela, Dolomiti Energia Trento (8.3 credits)
Malik Osborne, ratiopharm ulm (10.0 credits)
Jordan Parks, Umana Reyer Venice (9.8 credits)
David Skara, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (7.9 credits)
Giorgos Tsalmpouris, Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens (7.6 credits)


Fantasy tips, Round 6: Making the most of an unbalanced week

Balancing out your rosters in Round 6 may be a bit of a challenge. While there are four games on Tuesday and six on Wednesday, I discovered when I started preparing for this week  that the overwhelming majority of my players have Wednesday (i.e. Turn 2) games. This is especially noteworthy when choosing a captain. Eight of the top 10 players in PIR this season are playing in Turn 2 this week.

Grabbing one of those two, [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-zizic/004554/) or [Kevin Yebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kevin-yebo/013368/), to be your Turn 1 captain could be beneficial. Regardless, Knowing what you will do in Turn 2 is important. I plan to use [Malachi Flynn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/malachi-flynn/013908/) as my captain – if my Tuesday choice does not hit big – because the Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem defense has allowed opposing guards to flourish and , after all, Flynn is third in the competition in PIR with 22.8 per game.

Before we go any further, let's review my picks from last week. [Nike Sibande](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nike-sibande/013889/) scored 11 and gained 0.1 credits. [Umoja Gibson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/umoja-gibson/013855/) scored 19 and gained 0.4 credits. [Berk Ugurlu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/berk-ugurlu/003783/) scored 3.3 and lost 0.2 credits. [Augustin Ubal](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/agustin-ubal/010062/) scored 21 and gained 0.5 credits. And [Jakub Urbaniak](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jakub-urbaniak/012777/) scored 11 and gained 0.2 credits. If you took my advice, it helped! Let's see what Round 6 has in store. Here are five inexpensive suggestions who just might help your team:

### Matas Jogela, Dolomiti Energia Trento (8.3 credits)

Lithuanian forward [Matas Jogela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matas-jogela/006853/) is leading Trento into his home country this week, which for some might be a good enough reason to expect a good game from him. Add to that the fact that the opponent, Lietkabelis Panevezys, has allowed the most fantasy points to forwards in the EuroCup this season and now we’re talking. And Jogela is coming off a season-high PIR of 17 last week.

Has Malik Osborne just turned a corner?

### Malik Osborne, ratiopharm ulm (10.0 credits)

Has [Malik Osborne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/malik-osborne/013916/) just turned a corner? If so, now may be the time to jump on board. The center comes off a monster EuroCup game against fellow German side NINERS Chemnitz – 16 points and 14 rebounds for a PIR of 29 – and followed that up with an efficient 11-point, 6-board, 16 PIR line over the weekend in the German League. Osborne has a high floor as he ranks sixth in the league in rebounding with 7.2 per game. If he takes on a larger offensive role, he becomes a fantasy asset.  

 

### Jordan Parks, Umana Reyer Venice (9.8 credits)

[Jordan Parks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-parks/011909/) has found a home in Venice, where is now in his fourth season. He has started all five games so far in the EuroCup and seems to have found his groove recently – as well as a boost in playing time – with 15.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.5 blocks for a PIR of 18.0 over the last two games. Reyer scored in triple figures in both of those games and could do so again against Hamburg, which has allowed 99.2 points per game this season.

 

### David Skara, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (7.9 credits)

This one is a little riskier, but for the price, he should be worth the gamble. [David Skara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/david-skara/004639/) has averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals for a PIR of 19.5 in the last two rounds, while facing the tough frontlines of Bahcesehir. Cedevita's Round 6 opponent, Cluj, has given up the most fantasy points to centers so far this season. The mitigating factor is Cedevita's signing of Will McNair over the weekend, but I expect Skara will still see plenty of minutes in Romania.

 

### Giorgos Tsalmpouris, Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens (7.6 credits)

The Panionios big man was on my radar last week, but I thought it was wiser to wait and see how things shook out in the team's first game under new head coach Ilias Zouros. Then [Giorgos Tsalmpouris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/giorgos-tsalmpouris/006548/) dominated to the tune of 18 points and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 23 in 24 minutes against Trento. The matchup against Turk Telekom will be tougher, but it's also a Turn 1 game, which adds value.

Giorgos Tsalmpouris dominated in his first game under Coach Zouros. 

More EuroCup Fantasy Challenge News

Frankie Sachs offers fantasy managers some recommendations for this week's games

Round 6 of the BKT EuroCup features big battles at the top of both groups, with the race for the playoffs starting to take shape. Here’s your overview of this week’s action.

At a glance: Big tests await for the two group leaders

Round 6 of the BKT EuroCup features big battles at the top of both groups, with the race for the playoffs starting to take shape. Here’s your overview of this week’s action.

## Tuesday, November 4

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens (17:00 CET)

In-form Turk Telekom (3-2) will look to continue heading in the right direction with a visit from struggling Panionios (1-4). The host has won three in a row, most recently triumphing at London behind backcourt duo Kyle Allmann and Jaleen Smith combining for 40 points. Kyle Alexander also grabbed a double-double in that game – 15 points and 10 rebounds – and he will try to dominate the paint against visiting center Nate Watson, who had 20 points and 6 rebounds in a losing effort against Trento last week. Panionios, which has lost four straight, must improve a perimeter defense which has allowed opponents to convert 38.6% of three-point shots so far.

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (19:00 CET)

A key battle in Group B will see third-placed Buducnost (3-2) attempt to topple group leader Besiktas (4-1). The Turkish team is coming off a mightily impressive 30-point thrashing of Bourg, powered by a big double-double of 15 points and 14 boards from Ante Zizic, so Buducnost big man Jerry Boutsiele (11 points and 8 boards in last week’s win over Lietkabelis) will have to be at his best to help his team secure a third straight win. These are the joint second-best long-range shooting teams in the competition, both converting 38.4% of three-pointers, so the quest for supremacy from beyond the arc between Axel Bouteille (60%) and Connor Morgan (55.6%) will be crucial.

### Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. NINERS Chemnitz (19:30 CET)

Bourg (4-1) will attempt to return to winning ways with a visit from resurgent Chemnitz (2-3). The French team lost its perfect record by suffering a 30-point thumping at Besiktas last week, with only forward Ricardo Lindo scoring more than 10 points, so needs a major collective improvement especially in taking care of the ball after committing 18 turnovers in that loss. Chemnitz, on the other hand, boosted its confidence with a home triumph over Ulm, and will continue to run its offense through outstanding big man Kevin Yebo, who has an average PIR of 26 in the last three games. Another key is the backcourt battle between home team leader Darius McGhee and visiting Corey Davis Jr, who poured in 23 points last week.

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Lietkabelis Panevezys (20:00 CET)

Trento (2-3) will attempt to take its first home win of the season with a visit from Lietkabelis (1-4). The Italian team grabbed a road win at Panionis in Round 5 as backcourt leader Devante Jones scored 20 points for the third time this season, and will look for more long-range shooting from Matas Jogela after he went 5-of-9 from deep in the last two games. Lietkabelis is coming off four straight losses and needs defensive improvement after allowing 98, 93 and 98 in the last three. However, optimism comes in the form of Michael Flowers, who made a great debut by scoring 20 points in last week’s loss to Buducnost.

## Wednesday, November 5

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (18:00 CET)

A big battle is guaranteed as Cluj (3-2) faces Cedevita (3-2) in a battle of two teams currently tied for second place in Group A. The home team leads the competition in rebounding (38.6 per game so will look to dominate physically against a Cedevita team that ranks last in that category (31.4 per night). Cluj’s main rim protector is Dusan Miletic, who tops all rebounders with 9.0 per game, while Fatts Russell maintained his magnificent season by pouring in 26 points in last week’s easy win over Hamburg. Cedevita has lost two in a row but has guard Aleksej Nikolic in great form after scoring at least 14 points in every game this season.

### Neptunas Kleipeda vs. BAXI Manresa (18:00 CET)

Neptunas (2-3) will attempt to keep hold of that winning feeling as it looks to climb level in the standings with Manresa (3-2). The Spanish team is looking for a return to the win column following last week’s loss against Bahcesehir despite another strong game from young guard Agustin Ubal – who has scored in double digits in four straight games. Neptunas boasts the EuroCup’s best rebounding unit, averaging 38.6 boards per night led by Martynas Pacevicius with 6.0 boards per game. Maintaining that physical presence will be important against a Manresa defense which ranks second in the league (78.4 points per game allowed) and will lean on the rebounding of Grant Golden (5.4 boards per game).

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (18:00 CET)

A mouth-watering showdown between two title candidates promises plenty of drama with unbeaten Bahcesehir (5-0) taking on Hapoel (3-2). The visitor is one of four teams currently tied for second place in Group A, and has won two games straight after thrashing Aris last week with six players scoring in double digits. The battle for inside supremacy will be crucial between two of the competition’s most effective two-point shooting teams: Hapoel leads the league with 65% of two-pointers made, with Bahcesehir fifth (58.8%). A highlight will be the backcourt battle between home team leader Malachi Flynn and visiting ace Jared Harper, who both average 17.8 points with double digits scoring in every game.

### ratiopharm ulm vs. London Lions (19:00 CET)

A pair of Group B’s direct rivals aiming for a return to winning ways meet in Germany as Ulm (3-2) hosts London (2-3). The German team ranks second in the competition in scoring (94.8 points per game), while London ranks last with just 72.8 points per night. Home team forward Christopher Ledlum is among the major threats to London’s hopes, with the forward netting at least 16 points in four games straight. This week he faces a good tussle with Joel Scott, who has averaged 15 points in the last two games but would love to improve his accuracy from deep after only making 2 of his 16 three-point attempts this season.

### Aris Thessaloniki Betsson vs. Slask Wroclaw (19:00 CET)

A chance to climb up Group A’s standings is up for grabs with Slask (2-3) travelling to Aris (2-3). Both teams need to recover winning ways, with injury-hit Slask losing two straight after being outgunned by Trento last time out while Aris is on a three-game slide after failing to reach 80 points in any of those games. The Greek team will try to play in the paint after compiling a strong 58.7% two-point conversion rate, including big man Steven Enoch averaging 9.6 points on 65.4% two-point shooting. Slask, in contrast, has a competition-worst 48.8% success rate from inside the arc, so needs others to step up in support of Noah Kirkwood (13.6 points per game on 59% two-point shooting).

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (20:00 CET)

Reyer (2-3) will attempt to build more momentum with a visit from rock bottom Hamburg (0-5). The visitor is the only winless team in the EuroCup, extending that unwanted sequence with a heavy home loss against Cluj last week. In contrast, Reyer’s offense rolled to 104 points to triumph at Slask, and will hope Denzel Valentine can continue his excellent three-point shooting after netting 6 triples in that win. Hamburg’s offense can rely on productivity from guard Leonard Thorpe (15.6 points and 4.4 assists per game), but the German team must toughen up defensively after allowing a competition-high 99.2 points per game so far, with opponents converting a huge 64.5% of two-point attempts.

The action is heating up in the EuroCup as we enter Round 6

Sportsradar examines how excelling with tip-ins and stick-backs has made a difference for the Lithuanian side

Stats review: How Neptunas is translating offensive rebounds into wins

It was a chaotic week in the BKT EuroCup as seven teams claimed road victories to create an early logjam in the middle of the standings, where 14 teams have either 2 or 3 wins. [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) remained undefeated in Group A and [Besiktas GAIN Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-gain-istanbul/bes/) secured [an important win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/besiktas-puts-on-a-show-to-end-bourgs-unbeaten-record/) over [Cosea JL Bourg-En-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/) to draw even with them at the top of Group B, but [Neptunas Klaipeda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/neptunas-klaipeda/kla/) claimed perhaps the hardest fought win of the round, starting fast and holding onto a narrow lead late [to notch a victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/neptunas-hangs-on-by-a-thread-against-cedevita-in-roller-coaster-battle/) of [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/lju/) in Arena Stozice.

Neptunas has won its last two games after dropping its first three, but it has done one thing at an exceedingly high level all year: turn offensive rebounds into quick points. Neptunas's efforts there were likely the difference in a one-possession victory in Round 5 as it scored 10 or more points on put-backs for the fifth consecutive game.

At face value, the fact that Neptunas leads the EuroCup in put-back scoring is not a major surprise; it also ranks first in total offensive rebounds through 5 games and is fourth in offensive rebound percentage - the proportion of available rebounds it has secured on that side of the floor. However, the percentage of those rebounds that it turns into immediate points ranks among the better marks in recent history and the 11.4 points scored on put-backs per game is exactly double this season’s average.

While a little less than half - roughly 45% - of all offensive rebounds in the EuroCup result in an attempted tip-in or stick-back layup, Neptunas’s offensive rebounds result in an immediate score 58% of the time. It not only wins the battle on the glass consistently, but the rebounding edge it maintains has materialized on the scoreboard. 

Neptunas has [James Karnik](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/james-karnik/013884/) and [Martynas Pacevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/martynas-pacevicius/013883/) to thank for that.  While they rank fifth and 11th in total offensive rebounds respectively, they currently sit second and third in put-back points per game while shooting a combined 16-of-21 on their attempts.  That duo not only does a good job chasing boards, but they often carve out good enough position to score when they crash.  With point guard [Arnas Velicka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/arnas-velicka/006326/), forward [Donatas Tarolis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/donatas-tarolis/005860/), and reserve [Zane Waterman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zane-waterman/014079/) also chipping in, a group effort has been key to their overall production pursuing caroms. 

21-year-old [Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/veolia-towers-hamburg/ham/) big man [Zacharie Perrin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zacharie-perrin/011579/) has been the EuroCup’s best individual offensive rebounder and put-back scorer in the early going with [Dusan Miletic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dusan-miletic/009896/) of [U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/clu/), [Kris Bankston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kris-bankston/012760/) of [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/), and [Malik Osborne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/malik-osborne/013916/) of [ratiopharm ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/ulm/) also putting up impressive numbers. 

If last year is any indication, the margins around the postseason cut line this season will be razor-thin, so what teams get on the margins can be the difference between an early exit and a postseason berth.  There is no shortage of teams doing good work on the offensive glass so far this season, but not all offensive rebounds are created equal, and that’s had obvious implications in several close games recently.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana announced on Sunday that it has signed big man Will McNair to a two-month contract

Cedevita Olimpia signs big man Will McNair to short-term deal

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana announced on Sunday that it has signed big man Will McNair to a two-month contract. McNair (2.10 meters, 25 years old) has already joined the club and is expected to be in uniform on Wednesday when the team takes on U-BT Cluj-Napoca in Round 6 of the BKT EuroCup.

McNair has spent his entire professional career playing in the Turkish second division. He bgan the current season with Yalovaspor, where he posted 16.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in four appearances. Last season he was worth 15.3 points and 10.1 boards with Ormanspor. He recorded double-doubles in 15 of his 31 games with Ormanspor.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cedevita Olimpija will be strengthened by William McNair Jr.! 🔥 The 25-year-old, 210-cm-tall center will bring additional power and fresh energy under both baskets in the coming two months. 🐉🏀<br><br>Welcome to the Dragon family, Will! 💚🧡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> <a href="https://t.co/DLaG2HXlGS">pic.twitter.com/DLaG2HXlGS</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1984974104177279270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I feel great,” McNair said after signing his contract. “I feel that this is a great opportunity to prove myself on a bigger stage. Honestly, I haven’t been following Cedevita Olimpija this season. Two weeks ago, however, I was watching EuroCup and noticed the team in one of the games. I watched the game and later the highlights. The fans can expect excitement and energy from me.” 

A native of Philadelphia, McNair played five seasons of college basketball. He was with New Mexico State Aggies 2019 to 2022 before spending one season each with Mississippi State and Kansas State.

More Cedevita Olimpija news

The 25-year-old has could make his debut as soon as Wednesday