Ilias Zouros submitted his resignation as Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens head coach on Saturday following the team’s 80-66 loss to Iraklis in the Greek League

Ilias Zouros steps down as Panionios head coach

Ilias Zouros submitted his resignation as Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens head coach on Saturday following the team’s 80-66 loss to Iraklis in the Greek League. Nikos Karagiannis, the head coach of the Panionios basketball academy, will serve as the interim head coach.

Panionios failed to take flight under Zouros, losing all seven of their EuroCup games to fall to the bottom of Group B at 1-10. The team is second-bottom in the Greek League at 2-9. Panionios visits group leader Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse in their next game on Tuesday.

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Karagiannis will become the fourth coach to lead Panionios this season. Luka Pavicevic served as head coach for the team's first three EuroCup games and Chris Chougkaz was the interim head coach in Round 4 before Ilias Zouros took the reins.

Zouros, 59, started his coaching journey in 1989 with Panionios’ junior team and later served as an assistant with the senior squad. He returned to Nea Smyrni in October, but that partnership lasted just two months.

More from Panionios

The resignation came after a loss in the Greek League on Saturday

Harrison Cleary’s career changed after a shoulder injury in Spain. Four years later, he’s proving his resilience as a key contributor for Neptunas Klaipeda in the BKT EuroCup.

Harrison Cleary turns career-defining injury into EuroCup opportunity

A single dive for a loose ball changed everything for [Harrison Cleary](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/harrison-cleary/012030/). On November 20, 2021, while playing in Spain’s third division, Cleary collided with an opponent and suffered a separated shoulder. Lying on the court, he wondered if his professional basketball dream had just ended.

That injury forced Cleary to miss the rest of the season, but it also became the turning point in his career. The time away gave him clarity and a renewed determination to prove he belonged at the highest level he could reach.

Four years later, Cleary is doing exactly that as a key contributor for [Neptunas Klaipeda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/neptunas-klaipeda/kla/) in the BKT EuroCup. The 1.85-meter guard is averaging 5.6 points on 44.4% three-point shooting through his first 11 games, showing the resilience that brought him from Spain’s lower leagues to Europe’s second-tier competition.

Curiously enough, his top performance of [13 points and 3 assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/arnas-velickas-defensive-stand-helped-lift-neptunas-over-hamburg/) came against [Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/veolia-towers-hamburg/ham/) - the club where the Oak Creek, Wisconsin, native came back to Europe and provided him his first chance to play in the EuroCup.

“It's extremely high level. It's a privilege to be able to play at that level. Not many guys will get that opportunity. I did have my stint in Hamburg, but the situation was definitely different. I wasn't a fully rostered player of Hamburg. It was a bit of an odd situation to where now I'm obviously a full member of Neptunus and have a larger role here than I did in Hamburg. So it's been great to play in this competition and play against some of the highest-level guards in Europe and seeing where you match up and putting your skills to the test,” said Cleary.

Harrison Cleary getting buckets

Rewind to 2021. The 1.85-meter guard was playing for Carbajosa in Spain and having a solid start to the season. He averaged 15.1 points on 46% three-point shooting to go with 3.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists in seven games.

That came after a real disappointment in his first season after finishing a wildly successful college career at the D2 University of Minnesota Crookston.

Cleary was unfortunate to graduate at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and declined an initial offer to play in the Spanish third division. After a long wait, he signed a two-month contract with Spanish second division side TAU Castello in October to fill in for an injured point guard. The player was not out nearly as long as expected and Cleary received minimal playing time when he returned.

Cleary left after his two months were up and in January 2021 landed at Almansa, which was also in Spain’s second division. But the club was asking him to be a true point guard and not be a scoring option. This for a player who averaged more than 22 points and between 2.3 and 4.2 assists over his four years in college.

Add to that the fact that Cleary really hadn’t played a major role in a game in nearly a year and he decided to leave after just four games and return home in February 2021.

"I remember the first thought in my mind when I was on the court was: ‘Oh wow, I'm gonna have to find a job and figure out what's next.'" 

Cleary went down a level to the third division for the 2021-22 season with Carbajosa and was trying to get his footing again before the injury against Ponferrada in November 2021.

“I remember exactly what happened. It was a loose ball under the basket. I dove for it. My right arm was outstretched. He came from the right side. My shoulder just completely came out, and I remember the first thought in my mind when I was on the court was: ‘Oh wow, I'm gonna have to find a job and figure out what's next. I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen because I knew what my resume looked like from my rookie year. And I didn't know at that point the extent of the injury. But it felt bad,” he remembered.

“But once that initial shock goes away and I figured out what was wrong and we were going to go the surgery route and all that stuff, it was just like, okay, let's do it. And I'm going to figure it out one way or another and fight uphill to get back to where I think I belong.”

Cleary had shoulder surgery in late December and was back working with his basketball trainers around April.

Cleary called that injury the defining moment in his career thus far.

“It showed me how much I was willing to do for this and get where I thought I belonged. It directed me in a certain way to get to where I'm at now. If I play that whole season (in the third division), I would have finished it out as well as I had started it. And who knows what would have happened with my career. I probably would have stayed in Spain. I had a Spanish agent at the time, and that was kind of the route we were headed. It was just kind of this Spanish pipeline a little bit. Just a lot of things transpired at that time, mentally and career-wise, where it kind of redirected me in a different way.”

Cleary scored 19 points for Hamburg in the 2023 EuroCup Eighthfinals

Cleary landed in Germany in 2023 at the third division club Rist Wedel, which has a cooperation with pro side Veolia Towers Hamburg and the coach of whom actually was interested in him from his time at college in Crookston.

Cleary ended up splitting time with Wedel and Hamburg and played four games in the German League as well as eight games in the EuroCup, including pouring in [19 points against Prometey Slobozhanske](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/prometey-kos-hamburg-87-79-to-advance/) in the EuroCup Eighthfinals.

That experience and leading the German third division in scoring with 23.9 points per game helped him jump to Lahti Basketball in Finland for 2023-24, where he led the league in scoring at 22.9 points per game while also averaging 6.5 assists. Then last season, he stayed in northern Europe and played with Latvian side VEF Riga in the Basketball Champions League and the Latvian/Estonian League.

Those two seasons resulted in Cleary getting signed by Neptunas to play in the EuroCup. And he has an entirely different level of value and respect for the competition this time around. Much of that stems from the shoulder injury he suffered four years ago. A day he remembers vividly.

More Neptunas news

Cleary’s journey from Spain’s third division to the EuroCup is a testament to resilience and belief

Aris Thessaloniki Betsson big man Jake Forrester played for crosstown rival PAOK Thessaloniki last season and knows the magnitude of that rivalry 

Jake Forrester values both sides of the Thessaloniki derby 

Ask European basketball fans about city derbies and many will mention the Belgrade battle between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda, the clashes between Greek giants Panathinaikos Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus, or even one of the showdowns in Istanbul. Ask [Jake Forrester](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jakob-dwight-forester/014038/) and there is no way he will not bring up the Thessaloniki derby.

That shouldn’t be surprising because the [Aris Thessaloniki Betsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-thessaloniki-betsson/ari/) big man played for crosstown rival PAOK Thessaloniki last season and knows the magnitude quite well.

“It's wild. People might sleep on it, but I think it's one of the biggest in Europe for sure, that rivalry between these two. It's a big city, but just how close the teams are and how there's so many people that support different teams,” said Forrester of Thessaloniki, home to about 1 million people.

“One side of the city supports one team and the other side supports the other. The gyms are close and everything, and just to have the amount of people that can pick what side they want to be on.”

Dwight Forrester highlights: Rounds 1-11 (2025-26)

Panathinaikos and Olympiacos have collected 32 of the last 33 Greek League titles with AEK Athens breaking up the run in 2001-02. Aris’s 10th and final crown came in 1991 (ending a seven-year reign over the country) while PAOK’s second championship came in 1992.

That makes the meaning of the Thessaloniki derby even bigger.

“It's like a championship in itself. It's the bragging rights to beat one of the other teams,” he said.

Forrester has lost two of the three city derbies he has played in thus far. Both teams won their home games last season and PAOK beat Aris on the road 78-73 on November 1.

“They got us at our home gym, actually. But it was our second game with the new head coach (Igor Milicic). Still, you got to give them some respect when it comes to that. They got a win in our home court, which is really hard to do, especially in the rivalry.”

Forrester got a real taste of being on the hated side of the rivalry as he switched sides in the off-season.

“It was a bold move. Going from the FIBA Europe Cup to EuroCup and then coming to this team. I got a lot of backlash and everything from fans,” he admitted.

Forrester said he avoided his social media for a while after the announcement of going from PAOK to Aris. Still, he understands the rivalry and how the fans feel about the idea of him switching allegiances.

“But at the end of the day, it's a business and things got to be done,” he said.

I think the rivalry between Aris and PAOK is one of the biggest in Europe.

Forrester and the PAOK fans experienced a pretty big high last season. They reached the Finals of the FIBA Europe Cup, where they ultimately lost 154-149 in a two-game total-points to Bilbao Basket. PAOK fans had been waiting a long time for top play internationally. The Greek side reached the ULEB Cup Last 8 in 2004-05 after having previously finished runner-up in the European Cup in 1991-92 and 1995-96 and winning the Korac Cup in 1993-94.

The FIBA Europe Cup playoffs were pretty crazy and the atmosphere at the PAOK Sports Arena was amazing, Forrester remembered.

"The environment was crazy for the championship game. It's wild. Even if it was FIBA EuroCup, they treated it like it was the EuroLeague final there because that's how much they wanted to win. The people and the passion behind it were crazy,” he said.

Going through the experience of winning the final game of the FIBA Europe Cup but not claiming the trophy still hurts for the 26-year-old.

“That was an awful feeling. You never want to feel that feeling again,” he said. "So the next time I'm in a championship, I for sure have to get the win because that was an awful feeling. I still think about to this day. Just the feeling that you don't want to feel.”

Aris is poised to go deep in the EuroCup Playoffs and even challenge for the semifinals in the Greek League. But there is always the return leg of the Thessaloniki derby on March 14 at PAOK.

More Aris Thessaloniki news

The Aris big man played with crosstown rival PAOK last season

Being Saliou’s younger brother is not a problem for Cheickh Niang

It will take a while before [Cheickh Niang](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/cheickh-niang/013756/) is not asked about his older brother. But the [Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/trn/) guard does not mind talking about Virtus Bologna’s [Saliou Niang](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saliou-niang/012687/). Cheickh is proud of what Saliou has done.

Cheickh Niang is well on his way to making his own name as the 17-year-old has become an integral part of Trento’s rotation in his first full season with the pro team. Cheickh is averaging 6.8 points and 1.6 rebounds through his first 10 games in the BKT EuroCup.

The 1.95-meter guard started the EuroCup season like a house on fire with 9.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in the first five games, including 15 points against London Lions and 14 points versus Buducnost VOLI Podgorica. Niang was limited to a combined 5 points and 3 rebounds in the following three games from rounds 6 to 8.

“At the beginning, opponents didn’t know me, so it was easier. Now teams are scouting me more, which makes things more difficult. But I feel I’m growing and improving in the way I’m playing,” he said.

Niang sounded like a seasoned vet when talking about those other three games.

“I was trying to do other useful things on the court - not just scoring. Now that teams know me, I’m focusing on helping in other ways: passing the ball, getting rebounds, defending, doing all the little things instead of relying only on scoring.”

3 minutes of magic from Cheickh Niang

Niang came out of the national team break similar to the beginning of the season with 6 points in Round 10 against Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse and 11 points with 3 of 3 on three-pointers in Round 11 versus Buducnost.

Cheickh says he has received quite a bit of help and advice from his brother Saliou, who made his EuroCup debut in 2023-24 with Trento and then played a much bigger role in the team last season.

“He gives me a lot of suggestions,” Cheickh said of his brother, who is four years older. “He tells me to stay focused on defense and to get more rebounds — because he knows I can do more. And to give 100 percent on both ends of the court, staying fully focused.”

Saliou was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 58th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft and this season, joined Virtus Bologna. In his EuroLeague debut season with Virtus, Saliou is averaging 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

Cheickh said he still has a great relationship with his brother.

“The relationship is the same; nothing has changed. We still talk, but of course a bit less than before because we no longer live together,” he said “When we talk, it’s more about life in general. He still gives me suggestions about basketball, but most conversations are about life.”

Cheickh said it was tough seeing his brother leave for Bologna, but they still play Fortnite online together.

"It was a dream come true. I was really excited to play against my brother."

One of the biggest dates for the Niang family was November 1, 2025 when Trento hosted Virtus. The brothers’ parents - who arrived in Italy from Senegal about 20 years ago looking for work - were in the stands watching.

Saliou collected 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 18 minutes while Cheickh tallied 2 points and 3 rebounds in 17 minutes.

"It was a dream come true. I was really excited to play against him,” Cheickh said. “Before the game, I felt anxious and nervous. But once the game started, I just wanted to go at my brother and compete.”

The two were on the court at the same time for about 5 minutes and they got to defend one another multiple times.

“It was for sure emotional,” Cheickh said.

There really wasn’t much trash-talking though, according to Cheickh.

“I said: ‘Now we see what we can do.’ And I was asking if he was going to play short roll or post-up or something like that. And he didn’t answer.”

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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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This season has been like a dream altogether for Cheickh, who only played with Trento’s youth teams last season. He had a spectacular Italian League debut on October 5, hitting 2 three-pointers and scoring 15 points to go with 6 rebounds and 1 steal against Cantu.

“I didn’t expect it at all, but I was really happy. During the pre-season, I realized I was playing a lot of minutes. It was unexpected, but I worked really hard for it, so I’m definitely happy,” said Niang, who is averaging 4.2 points on 39.1% three-point shooting and 1.7 rebounds in the Italian League.

“I expected a big gap. The biggest challenge has been the physicality. I’m still trying to figure out what I need to compete at this level.”

Cheickh also knows he landed in the right spot at Trento when he arrived from Vis 2008 Ferrara in 2023.

“Trento is one of the few clubs that lets young players play in the first league or in Europe. I believe there are many young players with talent who just need a chance to show it, and Trento gives that chance early,” Niang said.

Cheickh knows that part of the attention he gets comes from being Saliou’s younger brother.

“It doesn’t change anything. Being Saliou’s brother is not a problem,” he said. “I’m really happy to see my brother playing at this level.”

But that is where Cheickh’s allegiance stops. “I don’t support Virtus - only my brother.”

More Trento news

The teenage Trento guard is already making a name for himself

NINERS Chemnitz said farewell to 2025 with a 97-95 statement win over Besiktas GAIN Istanbul on Tuesday night, delighting its fans and moving to 6-6 in Group B. Chemnitz led most of the way, but the closing minutes turned tense before the hosts held on for the victory.

Chemnitz holds off Besiktas to close out the year in style

[NINERS Chemnitz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/niners-chemnitz/nin/) said farewell to 2025 with a 97-95 statement win over [Besiktas GAIN Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-gain-istanbul/bes/) on Tuesday night, delighting its fans and moving to 6-6 in Group B. Chemnitz led most of the way, but the closing minutes turned tense before the hosts held on for the victory.

[Amadou Sow](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/amadou-sow/012598/) set the tone for Chemnitz, delivering a career night with a game-high 27 points. The Malian center dominated the paint for most of the night and provided plenty of offensive energy when the game reached its decisive moments.

‘‘It feels great. It was a collective work,” said Sow after the game. ‘‘We keep staying strong, we keep believing in each other, in the coaching staff and the things that we work on. We just gotta keep doing what we are doing and keep believing and trusting each other. Everything is gonna work out. The season is up and downs, peaks and valleys, and we are making the best out of it right now.’’

NINERS Chemnitz-Besiktas GAIN Istanbul | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Chemnitz leaned on its perimeter shooting throughout the night, finishing 53.6% from beyond the arc, well above its season average of 30.2%. Drawing on their depth, the hosts received three-point contributions from eight different players over the course of the game.

The offensive rhythm carried over into a season-best home performance, as the German side reached 97 points in front of its fans for the first time this season.

''Our fans were exceptional. They pushed us from the first minute to the last. They were the sixth man on the floor today,'' said head coach Rodrigo Pastore after the win.

"This team already went through adversity. We know what it is like to be down, and we made a strength out of that. We've come from a long way, I am very excited about what is in front of us, with everybody healthy and playing the second part of season hopefully with a complete team.’’

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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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The home side opened the game with aggressive defense and controlled the first-half momentum with efficient scoring both inside and from the perimeter. Chemnitz struggled at times in the third quarter, particularly in containing [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-zizic/004554/) around the basket, but timely outside shooting allowed the hosts to enter the final minutes of the fourth quarter with the lead.

[Nike Sibande](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nike-sibande/013889/) emerged as a key contributor for the hosts after the break, scoring 13 of his points in the second half and knocking down 3 crucial three-pointers. [Kevin Yebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kevin-yebo/013368/) was another important presence, finishing with 11 points and 3 triples while providing energy on the offensive end.

Besiktas pushed back in the second half behind Zizic, who posted 23 points and 10 rebounds, with [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) and [Vitto Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/vitto-brown/013365/) adding 20 points each. The visitors tied the game at 95-95 in the final quarter, but it was not enough.

Next up in Round 13, Chemnitz will hit the road to face the London Lions in their first game of the new year, while Besiktas will host ratiopharm ulm at home.

Game News

Amadou Sow led his team with a career-high 27 points to secure the win

NINERS Chemnitz v Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (2025-12-23T18:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara has one of the most exciting players in the BKT EuroCup in Kris Bankston. And the center loves energizing his team and its fans. But he’s really only taken the game seriously for a few years, promising for plenty of upside in the future.

Turk Telekom energizer Kris Bankston didn’t take basketball seriously until fifth year of college

[Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/) has one of the most exciting players in the BKT EuroCup in [Kris Bankston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kris-bankston/012760/). And the center loves energizing his team and its fans. But he’s really only taken the game seriously for a few years, promising for plenty of upside in the future.

Bankston has been a major part of Turk Telekom’s success this season, averaging 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks in 11 games as the team ranks third in Group B with a 7-4 record after losing its first two games.

“I feel like at the beginning of the year, we didn't really have an identity as a team and our chemistry wasn't all the way there,” the 26-year-old big man told David Hein. “So we built up that chemistry and we started learning our roles and what we can bring to the team as individual players. I feel like that really helped us a lot into building us to what we are now.”

The best plays of Turk Telekom Ankara center Kris Bankston through the first 11 rounds of the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season.

Kris Bankston's top plays this season

Bankston is in his second season in the EuroCup after he contributed 6.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 16 games in 2023-24 for [Aris Thessaloniki Betsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-thessaloniki-betsson/ari/).

That was an eventful season for Bankston. He started the campaign on the roster of Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva, but then left the team in October due to the political turmoil in the country. For his rookie professional campaign, he landed at Aris.

“It was an eye-opener,” he said. “The fans were completely different from what I was used to in America. I had to get used to that and also the way the game was played – the different rules. But I really enjoyed it.

“Some things I used to do in college are taught differently overseas, and it actually works better for how the game is played.”

Aris ended up having too many foreigners and Bankston was the odd man out late in the season, so for the final month of the season he returned to Israel and finished the campaign with Be'er Sheva.

Bankston then moved to Turkiye last season and signed with Tofas Bursa, with the team losing to eventual champion Bilbao Basket in the Basketball Champions League Quarterfinals. He averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in the competition.

Bankston had come quite far in the game already, especially considering he was a late starter to the game.

The Arkansas native started his sports journey with baseball, playing the important positions on the diamond of shortstop, center field and sometimes pitcher. Then in the summer after ninth grade, when he was 13 years old, he had a major growth spurt from 1.75 meters (5-foot-9) to 1.98 meters (6-foot-6).

“After that, that's when I realized I should try to play basketball,” he admitted.

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Bankston really never played much organized basketball so he had his beginning at age 14. And while he started playing the game, he never really watched much basketball on his own. In essence, he wasn’t really interested in basketball.

“It took me a while to really understand that I actually have to watch basketball and understand it to learn and get better at it,” he said.

It was only when he was a freshman at college at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock that he picked up on studying the game more because he saw some of the team’s star players doing so.

But it took even longer for him to really know the game and understand and appreciate it. That came when he left his home state of Arkansas to attend Norfolk State University in Virginia.

“I was away from home and everything about my life was basketball at that point. I feel like that’s when I really started to appreciate the game more,” he said of his two seasons at NSU from 2021 to 2023.

A big part of his game already back in college was his powerful dunking. And it remains one of his favorite things about the game.

“I like playing for the crowd. The crowd reacts to dunks, and I like getting everyone hyped,” said Bankston, who finished off the Round 10 win over ratiopharm ulm with a windmill reverse slam just before the final buzzer.

<center>
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It really shouldn’t be a surprise who Bankston’s player was: Blake Griffin, a dunking machine in his own right.

“Watching him during the \[Los Angeles Clippers'\] Lob City era really got me into dunking,” he said.

But Bankston enjoys playing defense, too. And he plays a big part in Turk Telekom’s defense, which is ranked second in the league in fewest points allowed at 74.8 per game and is top in lowest opponent’s index rating at 68.5 PIR.

The team had a great run of defense coming out of the national team break, allowing only 63, 61 and 53 points in a span of three road games – including Rounds 9 and 10 in the EuroCup.

“\[Coach Erdem Can\] actually loved the way we played defense. He was saying our defense is really good, and that's the reason why we've been winning games. I agree. Because if a team can't score, then they can't win,” Bankston said.

He really prides himself on his defense, saying: “Defense to me is one of the most important things of the game. Everybody can score, everybody can put the ball in the hoop, but can you stop your man from doing that? I understand that there are pros who get paid to score, but if you can stop that guy, it'll give you a better chance of winning.”

When asked which he would rather have: a dunk to win the game or a block to secure the win, Bankston’s answer was: “A block. It means you’re playing defense, hustling, working harder.”

And if that game-winning block comes at home or on the road: “At home – to hype the crowd up.”

There it is, that energetic Kris Bankston who is really still new to the game.

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Look back at all the action from Round 11 of the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Jordan Parks has seen plenty in his decade-long Italian basketball journey, but Umana Reyer Venice’s stunning comeback against Bahcesehir College Istanbul will stand out forever. Down at halftime and facing one of the EuroCup’s top teams, Reyer erupted for 65 second-half points — nearly a competition record — with Parks leading the charge with a career-high 30-point performance. In this interview with Javier Gancedo, Parks reflects on the turning point, his growth as a player, and why Venice feels like home as he sets his sights on a championship in 2026.

Jordan Parks: ‘We showed who we are’ in historic comeback 

Jordan Parks has seen plenty in his decade-long Italian basketball journey, but Umana Reyer Venice’s stunning comeback against Bahcesehir College Istanbul will stand out forever. 

Down at halftime and facing one of the EuroCup’s top teams, Reyer erupted for 65 second-half points — nearly a competition record — with Parks leading the charge with a career-high 30-point performance. 

In this interview with Javier Gancedo, Parks reflects on the turning point, his growth as a player, and why Venice feels like home as he sets his sights on a championship in 2026.

**What an incredible win against Bahcesehir! Things were not looking good at halftime but you did something historic, scoring 65 points in the second half. What did you talk about at halftime to turn things around?**

"Thanks a lot. The first half was definitely tough and I think the atmosphere in the building kind of made things feel like we were in a worse position than we actually were. I spoke up and just told guys to kind of really understand the moment and just see that there was a lot going on in the first half, where we were playing really good defense, Malachi Flynn made some really tough shots and those can be deflating, but it doesn't really define exactly what our first half was. So I thought we did a lot of good things. I told the team just to keep pushing and playing the way we are and let's see if he's going to come out and do the same thing in the second half in the same way, and we know what type of second-half team we are as far as offensively and just trying to limit second-chance points."

**It was a character win. Those 65 second-half points were almost a EuroCup record. Could this be a season-changing moment for you?**

"I think moments like that could always be a season-changer, but I think what's really working for us right now is our attitude and the approach that we have had in practice over the last few weeks. Whether it's translated to wins or losses, I think it's been something that's been pushing us in the right direction, and then obviously playing against a team that was number two in the EuroCup, we knew what type of game it was when we played in Istanbul on the road. So I think that has some motivating factors in the game. Guys knew the importance of it and just wanting to play better than we did our first time around and show that we are one of the top teams in EuroCup."

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**You mentioned road games. Reyer is 4-1 at home, winning the last four, and 1-5 on the road. What does it take to be as competitive on the road as you are at home?** 

"For us, I think having consistent effort has been our Achilles heel this year, and that's something that we have pointed out. We are trying to be more accountable individually and as a collective team. We have what we need and I think we just have to figure out. It's still a work in progress. Luckily, we still have some games to get it right. We just got to figure out exactly what it is that each person can give. Just what little bit more can each player give that will really help this team get to what we can be."

**You had a career game against Bahcesehir with 30 points. Seeing the experience, physicality and overall game knowledge you have, is this the best moment of your career?**

"Yeah, I guess I can say that. Individually, I have just been feeling over the years, each year I have been better at something, whether it be shooting, defense, being vocal, being a better teammate. Honestly, I just feel each day moving forward, I am in my best moment. Obviously, having a big game kind of shines a light on that, but I feel good. This year, God willing, I can complete the season with no injuries, but that's been one of the most important things on my mind, just availability. Being available, being healthy and being able to contribute the things I bring to this team."

Jordan Parks had a career-high 30 points against Bahcesehir College Istanbul in Round 11 of the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup Regular Season. 

Jordan Parks. Rounds 1-11

**It is rare to see an American player on the same team for four seasons, but Reyer is no ordinary team. What do you like so much about Reyer? What has kept you there for so long?**

"I have been playing in Italy for 10 years. Obviously, growing through the Italian league, I kind of had my sights set on where I would have liked to see myself. And Reyer was one of the places, and then just being here... I think the best thing about being here is the consistency. I know what I'm going to get. Obviously, this club is a very important one for Italy and also playing European competitions over the years and being able to be a pivotal part of something. And people appreciate you for who you are. I don't need to hide who I am or dim my light around here. I can just show up as Jordan Parks every day. I think that alone is something that has kept me here and made it easy for me to stay here. I'm not sure if you get that in many places in Europe or just in the world in general. I don't want to say it's comfort or being content, but it's nice to have consistency in being able just to continue to build and fight for a goal and not have to restart every year."

**As you said, you have played in Italy for over a decade, for several teams. I am sure there are many things you like other than the pasta and the culture. What is it?**

"I think it's a total package of things. I definitely consider not just things on the court but off the court as well. I'm obviously here for 10 months of the year, so being able to take my mind off basketball and being able to do things, eat well, and enjoy culture is important to me. I have been fortunate enough to play all around Italy in basically every region there is, and the people are inviting. I have just grown a liking to the country. It's not something where I can every year say to myself, 'I'm staying in Italy', but it's definitely something where Italy is definitely going to have the advantage when it comes to me, to my choosing. Also, just the competition in the league, being here and seeing where it was and where it's going, as far as just the style of basketball and the caliber of players that've been in the league for me, is great. I just think that my brand of basketball, my style, fits perfectly for Italian basketball. Now, could that be in other countries as well? Possibly, but I know what I know. Right now, once you spend some time in one place, you kind of want to see it through. I would love to be able to win a championship here in Italy, whether that be the Italian League or EuroCup or both. That's pretty much something that's just been set in my mind and in my goals."

**After so many years, you must be seen as a domestic player by everyone in Italy. Your kids probably speak Italian, too. How comfortable is Italy for you compared to anywhere else in the world?**

"It's definitely more comfortable than anywhere else right now. It's kind of like a second home. Unfortunately, this season, my kids are not with me. They are staying at home. We have turned the chapter in our lives in the States as well, purchasing a new home and stuff. My daughter was kind of getting to that age in school where we wanted to make sure she was caught up and able to be capable in the American school system. They stayed back this year. That's why the game was a little more emotional for me because this year I was without them and they actually arrived here maybe two days before the game. It was the first game. My son loves basketball. It was the first game he actually was able to attend with him kind of knowing what was going on. That made it pretty cool. But being able to be here without them, yeah, it helps. It's like a second home because I'm familiar with a lot of people here. I have a lot of friends and people that I consider family who live here in Italy, so it kind of fills that void when my family's not here with me."

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**In Round 12, Reyer will face Neptunas Klaipeda in Lithuania. You played with Arnas Velicka in Napoli Basket four years ago, in the 2021-22 season. How much are you looking forward to visiting a new city and facing a former teammate who is doing so well this season?**

"Honestly, I always look forward to playing in new cities. I just love to be able to say I've visited somewhere and I try to walk outside and see some things before the games and just being able to experience what that country's culture is with sports. And maybe that organization might be better than another and being able to play against a former teammate and somebody like Arnas, who when I played with him, he was really young and you could see the potential he had. And now, being able to fast forward, it seems like I am an old guy. I'm just 31! But fast forward four or five years and watching him be a leader on his team and some of the things that you saw in him as a young player is actually shining through now. And yeah, I kind of spoke to him about that the first time we played and I'm looking forward. I'm sure he's going to play with a different kind of confidence while he's at home, so it's always fun to compete against peers."

**How great is it for a basketball fan to play for Reyer and listen to Coach Spahija and Coach Molin's stories?**

"Oh man, it's an amazing combination because you kind of have a mix of old and new. I think Reyer has an old traditional feel, so you kind of get to see what the people before you experienced and why they loved it and why they played so hard and the passion they have. And then you have kind of the new, where you mix in someone like Coach Neven, who's seen it all. He's been at every level. He knows so much. And just listening to him sometimes and him telling his stories... he has some incredible stories and just things that you can only dream of experiencing. And so he likes to share those stories. And that's amazing because it kind of also motivates you. It lets you know you are around somebody who is extremely successful, somebody who knows what they are talking about. And it just gives you a bit more confidence. And then with Coach Lele, being as tenured as he is as an assistant coach, he has success as a head coach in Trento. We actually played against them a few years ago. So just bringing that kind of competitiveness and jokingness about who was better and what he has from the game, and what he saw from his view, not just as a head coach, but as an assistant. It's a good combination. It works well. I think sometimes it takes a bit of adjusting to, but everybody always ends up coming along. But around this time of the year, the guys start to get it."

**The game in Klaipeda will be the first EuroCup showdown in 2026. What do you wish for your fans and the team in 2026?**

"My wish for the team obviously is a championship. I mean, I know it takes steps. The first thing I would like to do is take the next step forward. We have been to two EuroCup Playoffs in my years here and both ended in the first round. So the next goal would be to get out of the first round and ultimately play the next round. Hopefully, that can end with us in a championship. And for the fans, I hope that they can continue to support and rally behind us, even through the struggles and the times where things aren't necessarily going as great as they would like. But knowing that, we are there each and every single day and we are fighting for the team. This team is completely, completely unselfish and one of the most non-egotistical teams that I have played for. And the guys in our team could really use the strongest support and being able to see this go through, because we all want the same thing, and that's the championship."

More Umana Reyer news

From a 30-point game to a decade in Italy, Parks shares insights on leadership, consistency, and chasing titles

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

Several teams scored important wins in both groups during Round 11 of the BKT EuroCup, but none was quite as impressive as the 118-point effort from U-BT Cluj Napoca as they cruised to a comfortable win to keep pace with the playoff hunt in Group A. Scoring 68 points in the first half against Neptunas Klaipeda – the third-highest mark all-time – Mihai Silvasan’s team got off to a spectacular start, scoring 15 points in the first 3 minutes as they came away with points on their first seven trips down the floor, including a pair of run-out dunks.

Stats review: Cluj's red-hot offense bludgeoned Neptunas on the interior

Several teams scored important wins in both groups during Round 11 of the BKT EuroCup, but none was quite as impressive as the 118-point effort from [U-BT Cluj Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/clu/) as they cruised to a comfortable win to keep pace with the playoff hunt in Group A. Scoring 68 points in the first half [against Neptunas Klaipeda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/creeks-night-for-the-ages-highlights-record-breaking-cluj-win-over-neptunas/) – the third-highest mark all-time – Mihai Silvasan’s team got off to a spectacular start, scoring 15 points in the first 3 minutes as they came away with points on their first seven trips down the floor, including a pair of run-out dunks.

As explosive as that early run was, perhaps it was not entirely surprising. Cluj and Neptunas rank first and second in pace on the year respectively, are both in the top seven in offensive efficiency, and both went into triple digits in their matchup in Round 2. Scoring has not been an issue for either team most nights this season.

Nonetheless, Cluj’s performance was somewhat unique among high point totals. Unlike so many of the league’s most explosive performances over the last several years, three-pointers were not a very significant factor as they shot a modest 9 for 24 from beyond the arc. With only 7 offensive rebounds, 14 turnovers, and 25 free-throw attempts, they did not dominate the possession battle or win in the margins.

They built the signature offensive effort of the season with the way they attacked the rim, something they have done as well as any team in the EuroCup all year. Finishing six and-ones and earning opportunities for two others, throwing down seven dunks, and shooting 22 for 26 on layups, they were not just prolific scoring above average 23 points in transition, but incredibly effective in the half court. Generating 79 points in the paint on the night overall – well above their league-best 42 points per game average – and shooting 83% in the restricted area, they imposed their will on the interior. 

Among individuals, [Nighael Ceaser](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nighael-ceaser/014185/) and [Dusan Miletic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dusan-miletic/009896/) combined to score a productive 31 inside, but [Mitch Creek](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mitchell-creek/013927/) notched 26 of his 40 in the paint, tallying five and-one opportunities in a truly exceptional showing of physicality and assertiveness. The 33-year-old has been very efficient all season, but punished the defense relentlessly in the second-highest scoring game of his professional career and one of the signature efforts of the 2025-26 EuroCup regular season.

Staying above the playoff cut line in Group A notching their sixth win and boosting their point differential, there’s a pretty good chance this offensive explosion pays dividends down the stretch for Cluj – important for a team that may have the toughest four games to close the year of any team in the EuroCup. 

Sportradar's Matt Kamalsky looks back on last Wednesday's high-scoring clash between the two teams