BAXI Manresa defeated Aris Thessaloniki 113-99 in a EuroCup showdown, fueled by a record-breaking 63-point first half. Retin Obasohan scored 18 points as Manresa improved to 7-6.

Manresa Makes History in 113-99 EuroCup Win Over Aris Thessaloniki

BAXI Manresa overcame Aris Thessaloniki Betsson, in a fast-paced 113-99 victory at Pavello Nou Congost. Scoring as a unit, Coach Diego Ocampo’s side made history in the first half and did enough to stave off a late Aris comeback attempt.

The hosts seized the initiative in the opening seconds of a dynamic first quarter. Although Aris’s offense struggled to find rhythm early, it gradually pushed back as the period wore on. A late scoring surge, however, allowed the Manresa to pull clear, ending the opening quarter with a commanding double-digit advantage.

Building on that momentum, Ocampo’s men produced expansive ball movement and outstanding shooting from deep to tighten their grip on the game. They cruised through the remainder of the first half, heading into the break with a 25-point lead. By reaching 63 points at halftime, Manresa shattered its previous EuroCup single-half scoring record by 10. It also stands as the fourth-highest total across all teams in any half this season.

The locals showed no signs of easing off after the interval, maintaining their intensity in the third quarter and spreading the offensive responsibility across the roster to keep Coach Igor Milicic’s side at arm’s length. Aris finally ignited in the fourth quarter, sparked by Amine Noua, and rattled off a 0-9 run that briefly gave them hope. After trailing by as many as 32, Aris battled back to cut the deficit to just 8 in the final period. Manresa, though, responded decisively, restoring control down the stretch and sealing a deserved 14-point victory when the final buzzer sounded.

Retin Obasohan led the way with 18 points from 7-10 shooting, while also dishing out 6 assists. Ferran Bassas, Agustin Ubal and teenager Gerard Fernandez all finished the game with 14 points, while Marcis Steinbergs and Alex Reyes reached 12 apiece.

Though the crucial win moves his team to 7-6 and separates it from Aris, who fell to 6-7, the standings weren’t at the front of Obasohan’s mind.

“Not at all,” said Obasohan. “Our philosophy is that we want to compete and bring our best every single day, show up every day in games, practice, shootaround and recovery. We feel that if you do the right thing every day, the results will show.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🖼️ 𝗟𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮<br>📸 Les millors fotos del partit d&#39;avui<br>👌 Las mejores fotos del partido de hoy<br>👀 Today&#39;s game best photos<br><br>✍️ 𝑱𝒐𝒂𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒎 𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒉<a href="https://t.co/Muu53rJooN">https://t.co/Muu53rJooN</a></p>&mdash; BAXI Manresa (@BasquetManresa) <a href="https://twitter.com/BasquetManresa/status/2008640245760487456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Manresa certainly did all the right things in the record-breaking first half, moving the ball with fluidity and scoring by committee. A mountain was formed and when asked if his team could climb it, Aris coach Igor Milicic gave an honest answer.

"For pride, we play only for pride,” the coach stated.

His team honored his message in the second half, playing with abundant pride and eventually sparking the respectable comeback attempt down the stretch. Milicic acknowledged that his team had simply fallen too far behind with the substandard first half.

“We didn’t show up with the right mentality. Players have to look at themselves in the mirror and bring in each moment, the best that they have. We didn’t run in the first half, we didn’t box out, we didn’t fight.”

Despite the poor start, Aris will hope to bring the momentum of the fourth quarter into next week's contest against group leader Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem. Manresa, will travel to Bahcesehir College Istanbul in an attempt to climb the table further.

Game News

Manresa scores 63 points before halftime — its best-ever EuroCup half — to secure a crucial home win

Record-breaking first half powers Manresa past Aris 

BAXI Manresa v Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (2026-01-06T18:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul prevailed in a tightly contested Group A showdown on Tuesday night, riding a third-quarter comeback to secure a 59-67 win over Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, a result that saw it improve to 9-4 and move into second place in the standings.

Bahcesehir secures road win over Cedevita, rises to second in Group A

[Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) prevailed in a tightly contested Group A showdown on Tuesday night, riding a third-quarter comeback to secure a 59-67 win over [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/lju/), a result that saw it improve to 9-4 and move into second place in the standings.

On a rare off night for star guard [Malachi Flynn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/malachi-flynn/013908/), Bahcesehir was able to lean on its depth as it grabbed an impressive road win against a Cedevita side that came into Round 13 in second spot.

"That's a huge win for us, we came together as a team," said [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) after the game. "Obviously, Malachi Flynn has carried us all year and tonight, he didn't have his normal night. We picked each other up and and that's what we need to get to where we want to get to."

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Bahcesehir College Istanbul | Round 13 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Cavanaugh backed that up as one of Bahcesehir’s key contributors, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds while knocking down three timely triples to keep the offense flowing.

Bahcesehir struggled to find its offensive rhythm in the first half but returned from the locker room with a different edge. Timely three-pointers and a more aggressive defensive approach set the tone after the break, as head coach Marko Barac later pointed to as the key to the win.

"I'm happy for my guys because they found a way to win, they found a way to turn this state of being nervous into very competitive and aggressive defense and we won this one by defense. This is the fact," said Barac. "This is just an away game, important in the EuroCup like every other, but we still have a long way to go, and we need to keep winning."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">💎 İşte galibiyetin 𝐌𝐕𝐏’si! <br><br>🔑 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana galibiyetimizde anahtar rol oynayan oyuncumuz; 9 sayı, 10 ribaund, 5 asist, 22 verimlilik puanı performansıyla Trevion Williams oluyor!<br><br>❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CatchYourDreams?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CatchYourDreams</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jqs3gveU50">pic.twitter.com/Jqs3gveU50</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/2008634774475202841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Matt Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) was another steady force on offense, finishing with 13 points and 5 rebounds while stepping up in key stretches. Off the bench, [Ismet Akpinar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ismet-akpinar/004056/) provided a crucial spark, knocking down four three-pointers and accounting for nearly half of Bahcesehir’s nine shots from beyond the arc when it mattered most.

Despite season averages of 90.7 points for Bahcesehir and 88.4 for Cedevita, the game unfolded as a lower-scoring affair, with neither team able to find its usual shooting rhythm.

For Cedevita, only two players reached double figures. [Umoja Gibson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/umoja-gibson/013855/) led the way with 25 points, keeping the offense alive, while [Aleksej Nikolic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksej-nikolic/003703/) added 16. With limited contributions from the frontcourt, the home side couldn’t stop Bahcesehir from pulling away down the stretch.

"I'm happy with the defense, but offense tonight, especially second, all game we haa hugege problem… Our big guys just disappeared," said coach Zvezdan Mitrovic after the game, reflecting on his team’s struggles.

In the next round, Bahcesehir will look to hold onto second place as it hosts BAXI Manresa, while Cedevita heads on the road to face Neptunas Klaipeda.

Tyler Cavanaugh contributed 12 points, helping fuel his team’s second-half performance

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2026-01-06T18:00:00.000Z)

Besiktas GAIN Istanbul remained the only undefeated home team in the BKT EuroCup, improving to a perfect 7-0 at Besiktas Akatlar Sports & Events Hall, by overpowering undermanned ratiopharm ulm to stop a two-game losing streak and stay in the hunt for a top-two spot in Group B.

Besiktas answers doubts, snaps two-game skid to stay perfect at home

[Besiktas GAIN Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/besiktas-gain-istanbul/bes/) remained the only undefeated home team in the BKT EuroCup, improving to a perfect 7-0 at Besiktas Akatlar Sports & Events Hall, by overpowering undermanned [ratiopharm ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/ulm/) to stop a two-game losing streak and stay in the hunt for a top-two spot in Group B.

Besiktas had a balanced effort on offense with five players in double figures to go with 28 assists in a comfortable 97-76 win for a 9-4 overall record.

“I am very happy with the win, especially this win and how we did it,” said Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic, whose team had lost road games to the London Lions and NINERS Chemnitz in the last two rounds. 

Besiktas GAIN Istanbul-ratiopharm ulm | Round 13 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

The Serbian coach definitely could be happy about how his defense played compared to the two losses, having given up 98 and 97 points in those games. Besiktas held Ulm to just 6 three-pointers on 26.1% shooting. The hosts came into the game ranked 19th in opponents three-point shooting at 37.6% and Ulm’s offense ranked 4th in long range shooting at 37.8%.

[Vitto Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/vitto-brown/013365/) led the way with 23 points while [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) scored 18 points, [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/) had 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, [Brynton Lemar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/brynton-lemar/013261/) tallied 13 points and [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ante-zizic/004554/) added 10 points and 11 rebounds. 

After a tight game with eight lead changes and Ulm leading 32-36 midway through the second quarter, Mathews scored 10 straight points in a 13-0 run to lead 47-38 at the break. 

Besiktas opened the second half with an 8-2 spurt to lead 55-40 and never saw the advantage drop below 11 points the rest of the way – twice coming up with defensive stops in the fourth quarter when Ulm could have made it a single-digit game.

“We played a pretty good game aside from the first quarter, which is normal. We played an amazing three quarters,” said Alimpijevic, who also expressed his satisfaction of grabbing 13 offensive rebounds. 

“It was big for us. We lost our last two EuroCup games so we knew we had to come out here, play tough and make a statement. And I think we did a good job of that,” Brown said. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Ve sahnede 𝐃𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐨 🎙️<br><br>🏀 23 sayı<br>🎯 9/11 saha içi isabet<br>🛡️ 6 ribaund<br>🅰️ 2 asist<br>💫 26 VP <a href="https://t.co/X0codOEAys">pic.twitter.com/X0codOEAys</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş GAİN (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/2008625102422995323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ulm came to Istanbul with only 10 players and really could not match Besiktas’s depth. [Chris Ledlum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/christopher-ledlum/013968/) scored 17 points, [Tobias Jensen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tobias-jensen/010726/) had 15 points and [Mark Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mark-smith/013969/) added 13 points, but those efforts were not enough. 

“They are undefeated at home in the EuroCup. I think our players competed. I am proud of our guys. We are a little undermanned at the moment but that is a very good basketball team and they showed it today. They handled the rebounds, especially the offensive rebounds. They shot the ball well,” Ulm head coach Ty Harrelson said. 

“We lost the game in the second quarter. We got dominated on offensive rebounds and we couldn’t find ways to score. That was the main difference in the game.”

Dusan Alimpijevic's men improved to 7-0 in front of their home fans

Besiktas GAIN Istanbul v ratiopharm ulm (2026-01-06T17:00:00.000Z)

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 13 of the 2025-26 EuroCup season.

Round 13: Pregame quotes and injury reports

## Wednesday, January 7

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento (17:00 CET)

**Fabio Bongi, Trento assistant coach**

"We are facing Ankara, a team with one of the highest levels of physicality, technique and talent in the EuroCup, and one that will most likely be a contender until the very end of the competition. We know their strength very well, also considering the first-leg game in which we were defeated: that is exactly where we want to restart from, learning from that experience, correcting our mistakes and continuing our growth process. We are working to find greater consistency over the full 40 minutes, which is a key aspect at this level. Ankara can rely on top-level players such as Allman, Smith and Simonovic, as well as two extremely athletic and physical big men like Bankston and Alexander. It will be a very demanding challenge, one that must be approached with great focus and attention: we cannot afford to start at a disadvantage in such a hot arena and against a team of this caliber if we want to give ourselves the best chance to compete until the end."

**Andrej Jakimovski, Trento forward**

"On Wednesday we will face Ankara, and in the first leg we struggled a lot against their physicality, so we will need to be ready and bring a lot of energy from the start. Our main focus has to be on defense, and we must sustain it for all 40 minutes, because Ankara plays at a very high level, especially at home. We know that in the game we played at the home we lost by a large margin, but we are a different team now and that should give us confidence. The comeback win against Trieste gave us a big boost in confidence, and we believe we can perform well in Turkey as well, in a game that is very important for the EuroCup playoff race."

### Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (18:00 CET)

**Frederic Fauthoux, Bourg head coach**

"We expect a tough game. Lietkabelis is an experienced team, unpredictable at times, with a wide range of play and a solid frontcourt. With a tight schedule and little time to recover, we'll need to be at our best, stay focused, and play quickly to have a good result."

**Both Gach, Bourg forward**

"Tomorrow's game will be an intense and physical game, they will be looking to get a win at home and we have to come out with a lot of energy and focus from the start and play our brand of basketball."

### Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (18:30 CET)

**Nenad Markovic, Panionios head coach**

"For sure it’s a hard game for us at this moment. Buducnost is a very physical team, very aggressive. We need to match their aggressiveness and physicality and see if we can make a better job protecting our rim and our rebounding. It’s a tough challenge, we will face the team which is second in our group and probably one of the favorite to win the BKT Eurocup. We need to be focus on ourselves, show improvement and continue to fight. We had few practices together and this game can help us for the next game of the Greek League."

**Alexandros Nikolaidis, Panionios guard**

"It’s the first game of the new year, we have a new coach and a new player on the roster, and what we want is to play well, get the win, and give joy to our fans, hoping that 2026 will be much better for all of us."

**Andrej Zakelj, Buducnost head coach**

"Panionios are still trying to find the right formula for this season. They have changed the head coach again, added new players, and we expect a certain reaction from their side. A tough game is ahead of us — in the previous round against Bourg, they played at a very high level and nearly surprised them on the road. We have to be fully focused and approach the game in the right way. We had time to train and recover. There are some injury issues, but we must continue in the rhythm in which we finished last year. The key will be to exploit their weaknesses while neutralizing their strengths as much as possible."

**Andrija Slavkovic, Buducnost forward**

"A tough road game in Greece awaits us. We are facing a respectable team that has changed its head coach, and I believe there will be a certain reaction from their side. We have already started preparing for this game, and I have no doubt that we will be fully ready. I expect a demanding matchup. I don’t think their current position in the standings truly reflects their quality, as they are a solid team that plays at a high pace, runs the floor well, and has a large number of guards. Because of that, a very challenging task is ahead of us."

### Slask Wroclaw vs. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (19:00 CET)

**Anthony Lamb, Jerusalem forward** 

“We need to focus on what makes us good – our defensive intensity. When we share the ball and play within our system, and when we make sure that we are on the same page, not only with our coverages, but what we are trying to do offensively, that communication piece is what puts us over the edge in a lot of these games and I think as long as we are locked in to that, we have a really good opportunity to get a good win and keep the momentum moving.”

### Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Neptunas Kleipeda (19:45 CET)

**Benka Barloschky, Hamburg head coach**

"The fact that we still have six more games to play in international competition despite being fully focused on the battle to stay in the league and having already been eliminated from the EuroCup group stage has, as is so often the case, advantages and disadvantages. Basically, it's a conscious decision to compete in the EuroCup. So we're focusing on the advantages. Playing against the best is what everyone here has always dreamed of. I would find it inconsistent to complain about it now. So we won't be resting any players because of the competition or the standings – only when it's necessary. With Osaro, Zsombor, and Niklas out, we are currently missing too many important players in training."

**Devon Daniels, Hamburg guard**

"I see no reason why we should let ourselves down. I am grateful for every opportunity to improve. We have to fight for every possession on Wednesday. I think we have definitely seen progress in recent weeks. And we want to build on that. Every week in training, we work on the areas that still need improvement, as revealed by our games. We're on the right track and we'll continue on it together."

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (20:00 CET)

*Reyer's Jordan Parks and Ky Bowman are ruled out for this game.*

**Neven Spahija, Reyer head coach**

We are looking ahead to the EuroCup challenge; the past is behind us now. We will face this game with a shorter rotation as well, but we want to continue on our path and maintain continuity in our work. Against a strong team like Cluj-Napoca, we need to play an excellent defensive game. We are working with the entire staff to prepare for the match in the best way possible: we have experience in situations like this and we know that physical and mental recovery is the most important aspect. Cluj is a team that plays at a high pace with many possessions: they are ranked first in pace, points, and assists. They produce a lot on offense, perhaps conceding a bit more on defense. It’s not the first team with these characteristics that we have faced."

**Kyle Wiltjer, Reyer forward**

"The EuroCup is a fast-paced tournament that never stops: we are back on the court against Cluj-Napoca less than 48 hours after the game against Treviso. We have to be smart about managing these hours with the utmost attention. The staff, as always, prepares and assists us to put us in the best possible conditions: I have a lot of respect for our working group. It’s not just about resting to recover energy, but also studying our opponents and working with the athletic trainers, physiotherapists, and all members of our organization, which I am happy to be a part of. Now it’s up to us players: we must be ready, turn the page immediately after the derby, and give everything we have to bring home the win."

**Mihai Silvasan, Cluj head coach**

"We are facing a difficult trip, against an extremely physical team, a team that scores a lot of points in offensive transition, being first in the competition in this regard. The many points scored on transition come after precise defense, because they have many fast breaks that turn into scored baskets following aggressive defense. It is a very important game for the final standings of this group. In fact, all games are extremely important from now on. We are going there with a lot of optimism, and we really want to win. We come after some good performances, but this certainly does not guarantee us victory. We will have to be extremely focused and have the right mentality in order to succeed in winning."

**Patrick Richard, Cluj guard**

"Obviously, this is our first away game after six home games, so we are definitely excited. We have another important EuroCup game coming up, and if we manage to secure the victory, we will put ourselves in a very good position for qualifying for the playoffs, among the top four teams. We take things step by step and hope to go out on the court and win. I hope the fans continue to support us. Now, as we play away, we need their support more than ever."

### London Lions vs. NINERS Chemnitz (20:30 CET)

**Tautvydas Sabonis, London Lions head coach**

"They are very aggressive offensively. They run in transition, they push the ball, they’re a threat defensively, they the put a lot of pressure. We’ve got to be mental tough, very strong physically and do what we are supposed to do defensively."

**Tarik Phillip, London Lions guard**

"It’s a very important game. We all know what’s at stake, we win this, we have the aggregate over Chemnitz, it’s a must win for us."

## Tuesday, January 6

### Besiktas GAIN Istanbul vs. ratiopharm ulm (18:00 CET)

\--

### BAXI Manresa vs. Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (19:00 CET)

**Igor Milicic, Aris head coach**

"We have a crucial game ahead, against a very good team. We left the bad performance against Cedevita behind, we showed an improvement against Olympiacos and we want to keep on the right track tomorrow, despite the fact that we miss some key players. Manresa has quality and a deep roster and we have to give our best and be consistent, to get the result we want."

**Stelios Poulianitis, Aris guard**

"Reaching the final part of the regular season in BKT EuroCup, every game is very important. We are facing Manresa, that is in the same place as us in the standings and this proves the importance of tomorrow’s battle. We have to be focused, determined and to follow our coaches’ plan. It’s crucial to control the rhythm of the game and the rebounds as well."

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (19:00 CET)

**Zvezdan Mitrovic, Cedevita Olimpija head coach**

"For some time now we have been playing with a shortened rotation, and we are facing a team whose budget is at the EuroLeague level, not the EuroCup level. Along with Besiktas and Hapoel, Bahcesehir is one of the three teams that truly stand out in the EuroCup. Compared to our first head-to-head game this season, our opponents have strengthened their roster even further. We will try to relieve the players of the pressure of the game. Both teams will have one day to prepare for the match. We are welcoming an opponent that is imposing, not only at our level but also at a higher one. Bahçeşehir are playing excellently, as evidenced by their most recent win in the Turkish domestic league, where they recorded a victory by a 40-point margin. Our opponent has a lot of offensive potential, which they have further reinforced. We can expect an attractive game, and anyone who misses it may regret it. I hope the fans join us in as large numbers as possible—not only because of the game itself, but also because of the support from the stands that we need and that we also deserve with our performances."

**DJ Stewart, Cedevita Olimpija guard**

"A very important game is ahead of us. We are focused on securing the win we need. That way we can move up to second place in the standings, which we strongly desire. I hope there will be as many fans as possible in Stožice to fill the arena and help us get the win."

**Umoja Gibson, Cedevita Olimpija guard**

"I am very motivated ahead of the game against Bahcesehir. It is a very high-quality team with a lot of weapons at all playing positions. We need to stay true to ourselves and continue playing the way we have been throughout the entire season. If we maintain that rhythm, we can hope for a good performance."

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 13 of the 2025-26 EuroCup season

Round 13: Pregame quotes

London Lions v NINERS Chemnitz (2026-01-07T19:30:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2026-01-07T19:00:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Neptunas Klaipeda (2026-01-07T18:45:00.000Z)

Slask Wroclaw v Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (2026-01-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2026-01-07T17:30:00.000Z)

Lietkabelis Panevezys v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2026-01-07T17:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2026-01-07T16:00:00.000Z)

The 2025-26 BKT EuroCup regular season is slowly heading towards its conclusion. Six rounds remain until the end of the group stage, after which we will know the names of the four teams that have directly qualified for the quarterfinals, the eight that go to the playoffs, and the eight that will end their participation after 18 games.

BKT EuroCup MVP watch: Can someone dethrone the king?

The 2025-26 BKT EuroCup regular season is slowly heading towards its conclusion. Six rounds remain until the end of the group stage, after which we will know the names of the four teams that have directly qualified for the quarterfinals, the eight that go to the playoffs, and the eight that will end their participation after 18 games.

So, after 12 games, it's the right time to look at which players have stood out so far as the best and who can enter the race for the EuroCup MVP award this season.

At the very top is last year's MVP Jared Harper, who is having another incredible season, but the American has serious competition this season. This is the list of the main candidates for the MVP award.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1915705/bkt-eurocup-mvp-watch-can-someone-dethrone-the-king/).

After 12 rounds, these are the main candidates for the prestigious BKT EuroCup award

Bahcesehir star Malachi Flynn opens up about adapting to European basketball, his pride in an all-around game, and the team’s push for a top-two EuroCup finish in an exclusive conversation with Javier Gancedo.

Malachi Flynn: 'Cedevita will definitely be a battle for us'

After a crucial win over Hamburg that snapped a rough stretch, [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) star [Malachi Flynn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/malachi-flynn/013908/) sat down with Javier Gancedo from the official EuroCup website to discuss his first season in Europe, the adjustments that helped him thrive, and what it will take for Bahcesehir to finish strong. From his passion for improving every facet of his game to his love for hoops and music, Flynn offers insight into life on and off the court as Bahcesehir battles for playoff positioning.

**Let's talk about the win against Hamburg. You were in a tricky situation after losing three of the previous four games. How important was this win to have a fresh start in 2026?**

"We definitely dropped a couple of games that we didn't feel good about, but that's how the season goes. At the end of the day, sometimes you hit a little... I don't want to call it a rough patch, but you hit some times where obviously you want to play better, so just bouncing back against Hamburg was good. I thought it was a really well-rounded win for us. A lot of guys on the team played well, and I think moving forward that will be big for us."

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**You are having a great season. You are scoring, of course, but also passing the ball, collecting steals and helping on the boards. What allowed you to adjust so fast in your first season in Europe?**

"I think one of the things was my teammates and the staff just kind of preparing me for different things that I might see and then I think some of it is just having the skill set that kind of translates to Europe, in a way. I think sometimes different traits and different skills transfer better than others in Europe, and I think I have a skill set that allowed me to make it a little bit easier and kind of adjust to the game, because it is a different game than in the States. I think my teammates and the coaches have really helped me just navigate the defenses and the way offense goes, so I think it's been a collective effort."

**You take a lot of pride on adding new things to your game. You were a great shooter in high school, praised all around for your ability to score the ball, but you were determined to also grab rebounds, get steals and improve on defense. How proud are you for improving on all that over the years?**

"Like you said, you can add things and I think I have always been able to shoot the ball, score the ball, make plays... and as I have gotten older, I just wanted to do more, have more of a focused effort on trying to get to the glass as a guard, at least pick up the long rebounds and then defensively in college, I kind of knew it would be a big deal for me to be better on the defensive end, watching film, watching game and then just having a certain effort level. So I have just tried to continue to have that from college and into being a pro, and I think just some of the steals numbers, it helps show it. So it's definitely something that I pride myself in. As a guard, you are the first line of defense. So if it starts good up there, then it will usually end good, so that's kind of the mindset I keep."

**Asking around, everybody says you talk about hoops all the time, a bit of a basketball junkie. Did you ask a lot of people about European basketball and the EuroCup? Have you made it a habit to watch European basketball while being here?**

"Before I knew I was coming out here, to be honest, I didn't watch a lot of EuroLeague. I would watch some guys that I would be familiar with, like Mike James is from a similar area. He's from Oregon, I'm from Washington, but guys know each other, it's real close over there. And then I would watch some of the ex-NBA guys that played in the EuroLeague, but once I knew I was coming to Europe, I definitely just started watching more. I watched the Final Four last year because I was already signed, so I watched some of the playoffs. I love hoops, I still try to watch as much as I can and I have always been that way. So I definitely have an appreciation for the game."

Malachi Flynn is in his first BKT EuroCup season with Bahcesehir College Istanbul 

2025-26 EuroCup highlights: Malachi Flynn, Bahcesehir

**I also saw that you have an elite basketball camp. Can you tell me a little bit more about it?**

"Yeah, this past year I wasn't able to do it because of the timing with Europe, but the previous two seasons, I had a camp for high school-aged kids, and I wanted to bring in talent from around the area where I'm from, Tacoma, Washington. We have a really good hoop culture and it started from older guys like Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas... you can go on and on the list of guys who have been there and help kids... Brandon Roy... all those guys coach or they are involved with kids. When I was growing up, those are some of the people I looked up to, so once I made it, I kind of wanted to do the same thing, so that was one of the big reasons to have a high school camp and have fun with the kids and connect with them, because you are gone for so long during the season that you don't really know the high school kids. So it's just a way to connect with them, let them know that I am here if they need some more, if they just want to ask a couple questions, so that's kind of one of the main reasons."

**Bryce Jones, Fatts Russell and you are three of the biggest new stars in the EuroCup this season. How great is that you see small guards taking over?**

"I think there are a lot of small guards over here that are able to use their size and their quickness as an advantage, so it's definitely good to see it. Growing up,  I was always a smaller guard, so you always have an appreciation for those guys who can contribute at a high level, at the pro level, or at any level, really. It's been good to see it over here, and just knowing some of those guys and watching them from their college days or whatnot, and then seeing them play over here and see the things that they can do."

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**Your next game is against Cedevita Olimpija, which is also 8-4. It looks like a critical game to get a top-two finish in your group. Could it be the game of the season for you guys so far?**

"I think up to this point, I would say so. We were definitely aware of the implications that the game could have down the line, and I think it's only six more games, so at this point, every game is important. So I think both teams are going to come in ready to play, and we have to find a way to come out on top, so it will definitely be a battle for us."

**You played against Nemanja Bjelica in the NBA. Fast forward to the present, he is Bahcesehir's sports director. For instance, Bjelica and Kenan Sipahi were teammates with Fenerbahce and made it to the 2015 Final Four together. How amazing is that?**

"It's crazy, it's funny how life works! I remember playing against him. I think it was in Toronto and he played for Golden State. Even before that, just kind of watching him in the NBA with the Warriors and with different other teams, and now to the point where he was trying to get me to come play for his team, I just think it's kind of funny the way life works. Everything comes full circle and he has definitely helped me. And I think he has been good for the team."

'Kenny [Sipahi] knows everything! If you need something, you just got to go to Kenny'

**Playing for Bahcesehir comes with the privilege of living in Istanbul, one of the most outstanding cities in the world. How has the experience been so far for someone coming all the way from the United States? Are your teammates helping you to find restaurants and places to see?**

"At first, just being overseas, I think any country would have been different, so obviously it was a little different, but I have been adjusting pretty well. I am enjoying the city. It's a big city, there are a lot of people and there are a lot of things to do. And my teammates have definitely helped me. Tyler \[Cavanaugh\] has been here, so he was kind of familiar with some stuff, Caleb \[Homesley\] also played in Turkiye two years ago, so he was kind of familiar with some things, and then just talking to the Turkish teammates. They will give their insight to the city, and then just going out and figure it out by yourself. I have had some family come out here and visit me and we have been able to do different things So I am definitely enjoying the city. There is a lot to see, and it has been great. It's been good so far. Kenny \[Sipahi\] knows everything! If you need something, you just got to go to Kenny. I was joking with him earlier. He knows everything that goes on in this city."

**People say you love music. You like to play it and do it really loud. Do you have a music routine before the games? What are you listening to lately?**

"Before the games, I like to play music just to get you in that mode. When I came to Europe, it was a little bit of a shock for me. Nobody really listens to music in practice or the weight rooms. That was kind of normal growing up in America, so that's one thing that I could say that I have tried to bring over here a little bit and just kind of lighten up the mood a little bit. Sometimes when the music's going, people just feel good and just try to get the vibe going a little bit, so that's something I have tried to do. These days, I listen to a little bit of everything. I like rap, R&B, different artists... My favorite artist is J Cole, but you know, I go through all of them. I listen to Future, J Cole, Lil Baby... I will try to mix in everybody, and then even the Turkish guys sent me some Turkish music that I will throw in the playlist when we are in the weight room or after a game, so I try to mix it up."

**Bahcesehir is 8-4 with six games left to play in this round, then it's playoffs. What will be important from now on to be successful at the end of the season?**

"I think just being the team that we know we can be. At times, we have let it slip and just kind of not played to what we know we can do, regardless of who we are playing against. I think when we are locked in and are sharing the ball and are together defensively, I think we are a hard team to beat, and maybe 2-3 games out of the year, we have kind of lost that. So I think really just focusing on us, and just continuing to get better. We all have one goal in mind, and just to remember that every time we step on the court and don't take any games for granted."

More Bahcesehir News

Bahcesehir’s star guard talks about adapting to European basketball, pride in his all-around game, and the team’s push for a top-two finish in Group A

Round 13 is upon us, which means we are entering the final third of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season. Wins are important, but also finding the tie-break advantage, so details matter. That can be said about the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge, too. 

Fantasy tips, Round 13: Closer to the finish line!

Round 13 is upon us, which means we are entering the final third of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season. Wins are important, but also finding the tie-break advantage, so details matter. That can be said about the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge, too. 

Having trouble putting your team together? Don't worry, we have your back, and you may find this entertaining. Here are my recommendations for Round 13, curated by me, Javier Gancedo, ranking 490th overall (yes, I did well last week).

Rihards Lomazs, Devon Daniels, Amadou Sow, Rasheed Sulaimon and Michael Flowers are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips, Round 13

### Devon Daniels, Hamburg Towers (10.6 credits)

[Devon Daniels](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/devon-daniels-iv/014172/) has given Hamburg a big boost since he arrived, averaging 17.8 points, 2.4 assists and a PIR of 16.0 despite his poor three-point shooting percentage (18.2% 3FG). In Round 12 against Bahcesehir, Daniels had 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting and a PIR of 21, hitting his only shot from downtown. Great potential!

### Rihards Lomazs, Neptunas Klaipeda (11.9 credits)

Neptunas has the fastest pace in the competition and [Rihards Lomazs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/rihards-lomazs/005553/) is making the most of it. He has taken things up a notch in the last two games, averaging 24.0 points, 4.5 assists and a PIR of 21.5. Lomasz scored 14 points or more in his last nine games, and it should be another high-scoring showdown against Hamburg.

### Rasheed Sulaimon, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (11.8 credits)

[Rasheed Sulaimon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/rasheed-sulaimon/011150/) hit rock-bottom in Round 9, amassing a PIR of -6 against Bourg. Since then, he has been simply unstoppable, averaging 17.3 points on solid shooting (76.5% 2FG, 47.1% 3FG), 4.3 assists and a PIR of 19.3. Buducnost faces high-scoring Panionios, so it is another great opportunity for him to keep going.

### Amadou Sow, NINERS Chemnitz (9.0 credits)

Kevin Yebo is getting all the attention but [Amadou Sow](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/amadou-sow/012598/) has been equally effective lately at Chemnitz's center spot. He had a PIR of 13 or higher in each of the last five games, averaging 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and a PIR of 18.4. At just 9.0 credits, Sow is a bargain choice in the middle, a rarity so deep into the season.

### Michael Flowers, Lietkabelis Panevezys (12.2 credits)

Did you watch last week's game against Ulm? If you did, you will know what I am about to say. [Michael Flowers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/michael-flowers/014159/) was a walking bucket, hitting shots from every angle to get 26 points and a PIR of 29. He followed that with 25 points and a PIR of 31 in Lithuanian League action. When a shooter is hot, you have to go for him!

Javier Gancedo is back with this week's fantasy recommendations

The race for the playoffs is hotting up with Round 13 of the BKT EuroCup, featuring several matchups between direct rivals. Here is your overview of the action.

At a glance: The playoff race heats up as Round 13 rolls around

The race for the playoffs is hotting up with Round 13 of the BKT EuroCup, featuring several matchups between direct rivals. Here is your overview of the action.

## Tuesday, January 6

### Besiktas GAIN Istanbul vs. ratiopharm ulm (18:00 CET)

Besiktas (8-4) will look to get its top two challenge back on track by overcoming an Ulm team (5-7) fighting for the top six. The Turkish team – which has a perfect 6-0 home record – is striving to end a two-game losing streak and needs to improve a defense which allowed 97 and 98 points in those losses, while Ulm is also looking to turn a corner after losing five of the last six. The visitorS will look for leadership from rising star Tobias Jensen (11.8 points and 4.9 assists per game), but Besiktas also packs a punch in the backcourt through Jonah Mathews, who averages 16.8 points across the last five games.

### BAXI Manresa vs. Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (19:00 CET)

A pair of direct rivals on the fringes of the playoff places meet in Spain with Manresa (6-6) welcoming Aris (6-6). Both teams are looking to bounce back from heavy losses last week, and hosts Manresa have the added incentive of sealing the head-to-head advantage after winning 79-86 at Aris earlier this season. Retin Obasohan was crucial to that triumph with 20 points, and Aris will look to contain him through the relentless Bryce Jones, who has recorded eight straight double-digit scoring nights. Manresa possesses plenty of offensive rebounding threat through the likes of Pierre Oriola (multiple offensive boards in five straight games), so Aris needs big man Steven Enoch to take care of the backboards.

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (19:00 CET)

A key battle Group A battle will see Cedevita (8-4) and Bahcesehir (8-4) break their tie for second place. The Turkish team could give a debut to new signing Jordan Ford, adding further depth to a backcourt already boasting Caleb Holmesley in fine form with an average of 16.0 points over the last three games. Cedevita snapped a two-game losing run by thrashing Aris last week, and guard Aleksej Nikolic is at his best after netting 27 and 23 points in the last two games. Bahcesehir easily won the Round 4 meeting between the teams partly thanks to Trevion Williams (18 points and 8 rebounds), and he has been a human rebounding machine in recent weeks with an average of 12.0 rebounds in the last three games.

## Wednesday, January 7

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento (17:00 CET)

Another showdown between direct rivals in Group B will see fourth-placed Turk Telekom (7-5) face fifth-placed Trento (7-5). The Italian team boosted its playoff ambitions by downing London last week, and will hope that backcourt star DeVante' Jones can stay red-hot after netting 33 points in that win. The last time Jones failed to score in double digits came in Round 4 against Turk Telekom, so the hosts will attempt to repeat that formula as it chases the win it needs to seal the head-to-head advantage. Trento will have to confront the three-point shooting of Jaleen Smith, who netted six triples in Turk Telekom’s loss at Buducnost last time out.

### Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (18:00 CET)

Runaway Group B leader Bourg (10-2) will attempt to take another step towards the postseason by downing desperate Lietkabelis (3-9). The Lithuanian team kept its faint playoff hopes alive with a strong win over Ulm last week, led by 26 points from red-hot guard Micheal Flowers, and needs more of the same to avenge a 28-point thrashing at Bourg in Round 4. The French team narrowly overcame Panionios last week partly thanks to another stellar night from Both Gach, who has exceeded 20 points in three of the last four games. Bourg boasts the best defense in the competition (72.7 points allowed per game), so Lietkabelis will need to improve its competition-worst 47.3% two-point shooting conversion rate.

### Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (18:30 CET)

Buducnost (8-4) will attempt to protect its position in Group B’s top two by piling more misery on rock-bottom Panionios (1-11). The Greek team fell short but delivered a much-improved performance under interim coach Nikos Karagiannis at Bourg last week, and will hope for another effective performance from forward Jackson Kreuser (16 points, 5 rebounds). Buducnost has lost its last two road games but will be confident of facing Panionios after smashing the Greek team by 28 points in Round 4, led by 16 points without a miss from shooting star Axel Bouteille, who ranks fifth in the competition with 51.7% of three-pointers converted. Panionios has only made 30% of its long-range strikes, so needs to improve that stat on Wednesday.

### Slask Wroclaw vs. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (19:00 CET)

High-flying Jerusalem (10-2) will attempt to maintain its two-game lead at the top of Group A by taking a road win from Slask (4-8). The Polish team has suffered four straight losses to fall out of the playoff places, and needs to improve a defense which has allowed 100.3 points during that run. That won't be easy against a Jerusalem team which made it nine wins in a row by blasting 105 points over Manresa last week, led by 20 points from Cassius Winston. To counter him the home team needs another top performance from Noah Kirkwood, who averages 15.4 points in the last five games. Hapoel leads the competition in field goal conversion (52.1%), so Slask’s defense needs to be at its best.

### Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Neptunas Kleipeda (19:45 CET)

Neptunas (5-7) will attempt to climb into the all-important top six by ensuring that Hamburg (0-12) remains winless. The Lithuanian team has lost its last two games due to an alarming defensive dip, allowing 118 points in both games, but can rely on the remarkable consistent Rihards Lomasz, who has scored at least 14 points in nine straight games. Hamburg’s search for an elusive win took another hit with a 37-point defeat at Bahcesehir last week, despite Devon Daniels continuing his great form with 22 points. Hamburg has the worst three-point shooting record in the competition (26.7%), so needs the likes of Kenneth Ogbe (19.2% from deep) to find their range.

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (20:00 CET)

A big battle in Group A will see Cluj (7-5) attempt to take a two-game margin over Reyer (6-6) by grabbing a key road win. The Italian team has won its last two games behind an outstanding offense, netting 118 points at Neptunas last time out as Kyle Wiltjer hit top gear with 28 points. Cluj has also won two straight with excellent offensive output, edging out Slask last week in a thriller thanks to a game winner from Dusan Miletic, who rediscovered his best form with 19 points and 14 rebounds. To compete with his physical presence, Reyer will need another strong night from Chris Horton, who has snared multiple steals in three straight games.

### London Lions vs. NINERS Chemnitz (20:30 CET)

The round concludes with another vital matchup in Group B as seventh placed London welcomes sixth placed Chemnitz. The German team is in its best form of the season after winning three consecutive games, most recently producing a barrage of three-pointers – including 3-of-4 from Nike Sibande – to stun Besiktas last week. But London has already beaten Chemnitz once this season, triumphing 67-68 on the road in Round 4, and will hope that Kam McGusty can return from injury absence to repeat his 20-points heroics from that night. London ranks last in the competition in turnovers (15.9 per game), so needs to play with greater efficiency to seal the head-to-head advantage.

Andy West previews the latest round of games in the BKT EuroCup

Umana Reyer Venice’s 118-point outburst in Round 12 underscores the growing importance of contested catch-and-shoot threats and floor spacing in the EuroCup.
•  EuroCup stats review, catch-and-shoot three-pointers, Umana Reyer Venice, Kyle Wiltjer, Denzel Valentine, Corey Davis, Both Gach, EuroCup shooting trends


Stats review: Reyer’s red-hot shooting and the value of floor spacers 

[Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/vnc/) turned in the top offensive performance of Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup when it went for [118 points on the road](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/overjoyed-kyle-wiltjer-leads-historic-reyer-offense-in-shootout-win/) in Svyturio Arena against [Neptunas Klaipeda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/neptunas-klaipeda/kla/). Shooting 15-for-28 from beyond the arc, Reyer put together one of the best shooting efforts of the season thanks in large part to the 7 contested catch-and-shoot three-point attempts it converted.

Reyer found the bottom of the net even when Neptunas was in the right spots defensively, but its spacing was as impactful as it had been all year. At the EuroCup level, it is easy to take the way teams maintain, create, and capitalize on their spacing for granted - every team does it so well on nearly every possession that it is usually only obvious when a team is not spreading the court effectively.

With offenses often placing four and sometimes five players along the three-point line, having multiple shooters who are a threat to make shots off the ball spreads out defenses. Some players take that even a step further with their ability to make catch-and-shoot three-point attempts on the move or over effective closeouts, adding a different dimension to their teams' offense and redefining the value of their spacing.

Several of the players in the group above serve as prime examples of shooters who amplify their teams' spacing beyond just potential shots and open looks. The table lists the top players in catch-and-shoot three-point percentage this season with their total number of makes listed for reference and the percentage of their total attempts that were contested by a defender listed to illustrate how often they shoot right over the top of closeouts.

[Corey Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/corey-davis-jr-/013890/) of [NINERS Chemnitz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/niners-chemnitz/nin/) and [Both Gach](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/both-gach/013900/) of [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/) have been this season’s two most reliable set shooters, making over half of their attempts. With a height difference of 15 centimeters between them, size can be a factor for some shooters, but does not stop players like Davis at this level.   

That ability to shoot over closeouts was particularly key for Reyer last week and a factor in its offensive efficiency on the year overall. [Denzel Valentine](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/denzel-valentine-/013930/) and [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/) combined to make 6 contested catch-and-shoot three-point attempts in Round 12 and, as the table suggests, none of this season's knockdown perimeter threats have shot over defenders as often as that duo.

On the other end of the spectrum are players like Gach, [Yigit Arslan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yigit-arslan/007914/), and [Karolis Lukosiunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/karolis-lukosiunas/006158/), whose consistency is driven by their accuracy on open looks. Arslan is particularly notable in that regard as his [Besiktas GAIN Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-gain-istanbul/bes/) team has produced a league-high 132 open catch-and-shoot jumpers on the year and knocked down a second-ranked 46% of them. 

Quality floor spacers remain at a premium in the EuroCup this season as three teams are making over 40% of their catch-and-shoot three-point attempts. That’s the same number as last season, but down slightly from the year before. While capable shooters keep defenders honest and consistent shooters play a key role in their team’s offensive efficiency, players who take and make contested shots at volume put unique stress on opposing teams.

From Corey Davis to Kyle Wiltjer, elite shooters are redefining spacing and offensive efficiency

Neptunas Klaipeda v Umana Reyer Venice (2026-01-02T16:00:00.000Z)