The best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals resume on Friday after the home teams won the openers on Tuesday. Will they continue on for a sweep or will we move on to deciding Game 3s next week?

Game Center: Visiting Bourg, Paris knocking on finals door

[Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul 81-72 Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/192/)

Besiktas followed the inspiration of 15,000-plus fans to wrestle a 81-72 victory from visiting Bourg and force their BKT EuroCup Semifinals series to a third, do-or-die game next week in France. After a tense first half with 12 lead changes, Besiktas trailed 32-39 soon after halftime at the raucous Sinan Erdem Dome before reeling off an 11-0 run that changed the game for good. The lead reached a high of 73-58 with 5 minutes left before Besiktas closed it out. Jonah Mathews and Matthew Mitchell led five double-digit scores for Besiktas with 17 points each. Angel Delgado added 13 points, Derek Needham 12 and Marko Simonovic 11 for the winners. Isiaha Mike led Bourg with 19 points. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">GAME 3 IT IS ⌛️<a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJK_Basketbol</a> beats Bourg in G2 <a href="https://t.co/xpgM1Pz1QD">pic.twitter.com/xpgM1Pz1QD</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1773802379118366759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

[London Lions 85-93 Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-paris-basketball/U2023/191/)

Paris reached the BKT EuroCup Final after an 85-93 win at London Lions sealed a 2-0 sweep of their best-of-three semifinal series on Friday. The French advances to face either compatriots Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse or Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, who are tied 1-1. Following an emphatic 99-86 victory on its home court in Game 1 , Paris fought back from a 45-39 halftime deficit at the Copper Box Arena and prevailed thanks to ironclad defense coupled with smooth offense in the second half. TJ Shorts paced Paris with 21 points and 6 assists, while Nadir Hifi and Sebastian Herrera posted 13 each. Justin Simon scored 11 points and Collin Malcolm chipped in with 10, as Paris overcame a poor first half in which it was out-muscled and committed 14 turnovers. Matt Morgan led London and all scorers with a game-high 25 points and Jordan Taylor added 17

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We know one team that will definitely be in the Finals, <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/r3KrzejuUe">pic.twitter.com/r3KrzejuUe</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1773832611321823348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Game Center: Paris sweeps to finals! Besiktas forces Game 3!

London Lions v Paris Basketball (2024-03-29T19:30:00.000Z)

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2024-03-29T17:45:00.000Z)

The British side aim to reach giddy heights on the court and to promote basketball in the United Kingdom, says the club’s GM Brett Burman

London Lions are on a mission to build a lasting legacy

Great Britain is seldom associated with basketball, as more traditional sports in that part of the world such as soccer, rugby and cricket have the undivided attention of the vast majority of fans. The London Lions, a franchise which was founded under a different guise in 1977 and moved between Hemel Hempstead, Watford and Milton Keynes before returning to England's capital and becoming the 'London Lions' in 2012, is fast becoming a top-level basketball trailblazer in the United Kingdom thanks to rapid success in the BKT EuroCup over the past two years.

The Lions reached the eighthfinals in their first season in the competition last year and have become this term’s surprise package as they romped into the EuroCup’s last four. Brett Burman, the club’s general manager, takes pride in the fact that the team’s roster is packed with British talent, emphasizing the importance of the club’s effort to help expand the local basketball picture.

“One of the cores when we were putting the team together was to captivate a London basketball community and at the same time craft together a team that can be competitive,” Burman, a native of Miami, Florida, and a former basketball coach, tells [euroleague.net](http://euroleague.net) in an exclusive interview.

### The big stage has brought out London's best

Speaking ahead of Game 1 of London's EuroCup best-of-three semifinal series against Paris Basketball, Burman emphasized that a number of tried-and-tested British players plying their trade across Europe were drawn to the club’s program by an exciting and challenging first year on the big stage.

“Starting from last year, we’ve had guys like [Tarik Phillip](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tarik-phillip/009649/), [Josh Sharma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/josh-sharma/012020/), [Luke Nelson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/luke-nelson/004773/), [Mo Soluade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mo-soluade/004479/), [Kareem Queeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kareem-queeley/008274/), with the emphasis being to build a pillar that will represent the team not just on the European stage but also on the domestic stage as well,” Burman says. “This year we added [Gabe Olaseni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/gabe-olaseni/006600/) and [Conor Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/conor-morgan/009680/), who both saw what was happening last year and wanted to be a part of it. Last year was the infancy stage with a lot of people asking questions, like what the team was going to be about and how competitive it was going to be.

“It all steamrolled into this season, with British players who showcased their potential across Europe realizing that this is the place to be. Their arrival has given us huge momentum in building this organization on and off the court.”

With some quality American performers helping carry the team, namely [Sam Dekker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/), [David Nwaba](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/david-nwaba/012797/), [Matt Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/matthew-morgan/012585/), [Donte Grantham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/donte-grantham/012586/) and [Jordan Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jordan-taylor/005247/), the current season saw the Lions raise the bar after the arrival of Serbian head coach [Petar Bozic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/london-lions/lli/bozic-petar/), who has set new standards and guided the team to an unprecedented level in European competition.

The Lions became the first British club to reach the semifinals in European competition and Burman stressed how vital Bozic’s role has been in that impressive run.

### Bozic has molded an unselfish squad

“Coach Bozic has been huge for us,” Burman states. “We’ve had tons of changes this season in terms of starting lineups as well as players in and out of the roster due to injuries. He’s made the players realize that their roles are going to evolve over the course of the season because of the situational needs and everyone has embraced that.

“We’ve now got a lot of versatility and adjustment, which is where the coach has been phenomenal. The guys are playing for each other because they care about each other. He’s all in and the players can see that – it’s a huge credit to him and his staff.”

Olaseni, a versatile center who is a handful for the opposition at both ends of the court, has been particularly impressive by averaging 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with an index rating of 20.8, prompting Burman to predict that the 32-year-old should be ranked among the EuroCup’s top performers come the end of the season.

“Gabe has had a huge impact and his numbers tell a story,” Burman highlights. “Gabe is productive and he’s established himself as a guy who makes winning plays. He brings a silent form of leadership every single day and I am sure he will be named in the All-EuroCup First or Second Team this season.”

EuroLeague Diaries landed in the capital and largest city in the United Kingdom to witness first-hand the growth of the game of basketball in London.

EuroLeague Diaries | London

### Lions and the Copper Box are a perfect match

The Lions have benefited from a fabulous atmosphere in their Copper Box Arena, where capacity crowds have turned up regularly to support the team in the EuroCup. A growing contingent of local fans have continuously mingled happily with rival supporters, and Burman is confident another sellout crowd will turn up for Friday’s Game 2 against Paris. The French team, which finished head and shoulders above its rivals in the regular season with a 17-1 record, [prevailed 99-86 on its home court in Game 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/paris-outguns-london-in-game-1-99-86/) after the Lions had made the brighter start.

“The fans have done a great job this year,” Burman says. “We are an environment based on an entertainment model, with people coming to our games knowing that they are going to have a good time. Good music, good vibes and they see what we are doing on the court, too.

“It’s almost assured we’re going to have a sellout crowd on Friday and the atmosphere is going to be electrifying. It’s not just traditional basketball fans we are trying to entice, but the entire sports community, too, as there are people coming to a game for the first time. That’s the objective – to bring new fans every single time, people who have never been to a basketball game before.”

### Grassroots mindset is the key

Burman acknowledged a consistent run of success in European competition as well as on the domestic stage, with reigning champion London atop the British Basketball League standings on a 29-3 record, was instrumental in the club’s effort to achieve the primary objective of putting basketball firmly on the map of valued sports in the United Kingdom.

“Our priority is to grow the game here in London and the United Kingdom,” Burman explains. “The number one goal is to entice kids who will want to become the next Luke Nelson or Gabe Olaseni when they turn on the television to watch a Lions game.

“We want to make basketball accessible in the UK and from a basketball standpoint, it is also critical to have a successful club because we’re in the infancy stage of what we are trying to achieve. We’re in our second year in the EuroCup and we want to build a program which guys will want to play for. It’s huge for us to show that there is a path.”

With AS Monaco entering the playoffs and securing one of the two available EuroCup spots for next season’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, there’s only one place left for those knocking on the door of the top continental club competition without having a prior presence in it.

The four teams in the BKT EuroCup Semifinals can make their EuroLeague dreams come true and Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse is the most unexpected case of the four.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1650735/bourg-entering-the-euroleague-an-extraordinary-case/)

With the home-court advantage in the semifinals and a team capable of making it to the top, Bourg can earn a EuroLeague ticket and write a unique history

Bourg entering the EuroLeague: An extraordinary case

Paris Basketball grabbed its 19th win in 20 games, downing the London Lions 99-86 at Adidas Arenas in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal series on Tuesday. Once again, its backcourt stars delivered at the right time. 


Paris's backcourt strikes again 

Paris Basketball grabbed its 19th win in 20 games by downing the London Lions 99-86 at Adidas Arenas in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal series on Tuesday. Once again, its backcourt stars delivered at the right time. 

London did a very good job at the beginning of the game, playing aggressive against T.J. Shorts and using Tarik Phillip to take him out of his comfort zone. Shorts was held scoreless in the opening 8 minutes and even had a rare, early trip to the bench midway through the first quarter, when London led 8-11.

Paris head coach Tuomas Iisalo quickly went to Plan B, running his offense through electric combo guard Nadir Hifi, who had 9 first-quarter points to keep his team in the game. When Shorts finally found his rhythm, getting a couple of baskets late in the first quarter, Paris led 30-27.

"We were not very good in the beginning," Coach Iisalo said after the game. "We allowed them to play with their strengths, it is a very dangerous team overall and we saw a lot of firepower on the floor from both teams today."

After a close first half, Paris took off in the third quarter with outstanding defense and its superstar guard and MVP front runner completely on fire. Shorts had 11 points in the third quarter, and 9 in a 14-0 run that bridged between the halves and broke the game open, 66-49. London made a final push early in the fourth quarter but Hifi scored 8 points in the final 3 minutes to make sure Paris kept a safe lead until the final buzzer.

Nadir Hifi and T.J. Shorts led Paris Basketball to a 99-84 home win over the London Lions in Game 1 of the BKT EuroCup semifinals.

Hifi, Shorts combine for 45 points in Game 1

"It is typical for modern basketball: a 20-point lead, even at that point, after three quarters, is not safe at all because of the three-point shots, because of the pace of the game," Coach Iisalo said. "You saw London make another push into the game, so we will need a more solid 40 minutes on Friday to close the series."

Shorts finished the game with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. Hifi added 22 points off the bench in 23 minutes.

Paris limited London to 2-of-15 field-goal shooting in the third quarter. It held London's top scorer Matt Morgan to 2 points on a pair of free throws and a missed two-point attempt in 24 minutes. London got a strong contribution from David Nwaba, who had 24 points in his first-ever game against Paris. Shorts knows London has a lot of room for improvement and is already thinking about Game 2.

"It is one game. We know that now we have to go to London. It took us two overtimes to win over there \[in the regular season\]," Shorts said. "That's a tough place to play, they are a good team at home and I know it is going to be a packed crowd. We don't have any time to really digest this one. We are going to dive right into the film probably tomorrow and get ready for the next game."

Paris has a chance to close the series at the Copper Box in the English capital, where London is 4-5 this season. Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at 20:30 CET.

Game News

Game Videos

Guards T.J. Shorts and Nadir Hifi combined for 45 points, 9 assists and 5 steals in the semifinals' opener

Paris's backcourt struck again in Game 1

Paris Basketball v London Lions (2024-03-26T19:45:00.000Z)

There is a reason they call it playoff basketball. Only one thing mattered when Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul squared off in Game 1 of their best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals series on Tuesday night: victory.

Bourg achieved that victory, 86-74, and it did not care afterward whether it was pretty or not.

Bourg’s ‘fight’ and physicality were too much for Besiktas

There is a reason they call it playoff basketball. Only one thing mattered when Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse and Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul squared off in Game 1 of their best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals series on Tuesday night: victory.

Bourg achieved that victory, 86-74, and it did not care afterward whether it was pretty or not.

“We did the job at home. Now we have to turn around and go to Istanbul,” Bourg’s top performer on the night, Isiaha Mike, said after the game. “We had a pretty big gap and they cut it to I think 9 or 8 and we were on the ropes for a little bit, but as long as we continue to fight and fight and fight and fight, I think we’ll win.”

Post-game interview Isiaha Mike

Notice the emphasis on "fight"? It’s hard to miss. And Mike was not the only one to attribute his team’s aggressiveness to the outcome.

“Bourg played very physical and my team played very soft,” Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic contended in the post-game press conference. “We can say that was one of the keys why we lost.”

Overall, the game was not pretty. There were 50 fouls called and 28 turnovers committed. The two teams combined to miss 24 free throws.

And yet, when all was said and done, it was shooting that decided the game. Both teams attempted 20 three-pointers. Bourg made 9. Besiktas made 6.

Besiktas had 10 offensive rebounds and thus shot more two-pointers. However, it converted 19 of 39 (48.7%). Bourg was 19 for 34 (55.9%). Add in that Bourg was also better from the line (67.7%-56.3%) and you have much of the game story.

Even Besiktas’s expected rebounding advantage was minimized. The visitors outrebounded Bourg 34-35 and had 4 more offensive boards. But the difference in second-chance points was just 7-10 for Besiktas. 

After such a game, it’s not exactly back to the drawing board for either team.

“We played like we did all season at home in the EuroCup with our identity and our character,” Coach Frederic Fauthoux said, which is exactly what Bourg plans to do on Friday in Istanbul. However, he did admit: “We will watch \[Game 1\] because we need to improve on some details.”

His counterpart is banking on one very big factor making a difference in Game 2.

This marks uncharted territory for both teams. Besiktas will try to become the third straight Turkish team to reach the finals, whilst Bourg seeks to become the first French finalist since Strasbourg in 2016, but which will gain the advantage in the opening encounter?

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Semifinals Game 1 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

“In Istanbul, there will be 17,000 in the arena and we need to play much tougher,” Coach Alimpijevic said. He credited Fauthoux for Bourg’s play, too. “Bourg was very prepared for us… We need to fix our mistakes and do everything to come back,” he explained while also adding that stopping Bourg in transition is a must.

But in the end, it’s the playoffs. And Mike summed up nicely what needs to be done to come out on top: “Playing together, playing hard and playing to win.”

Bourg did that better in Game 1. And Game 2 should be even more exciting.

Playing tougher and shooting better made all the difference for Bourg in Game 1

Bourg’s 'fight' and physicality were too much for Besiktas

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2024-03-26T18:00:00.000Z)

Over the course of this week, Euroleague.net will be posting interviews with the Hoop District team captains

Getting to know: Valentina Vignali, Team Milan captain

The countdown to [Hoop District](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/euroleague-basketball-launches-3x3-content-creators-tournament-hoop-district/) is well and truly on, with just three days until the action commences at the brand-new adidas arena in Paris, France. In order to get to know the team captains a little better, we had a fascinating conversation with Team Milan captain [Valentina Vignali](https://www.instagram.com/valentinavignali/).

This is the third of six "getting to know" interviews with the Hoop District captains that will be dropping this week. Here's what we found out.

**Tell us about yourself. Who is Valentina Vignali?**

"I am just a normal girl who loves basketball and fashion. I also love animals and travelling – I'm just a normal girl with a lot of hobbies."

**How did you fall in love with the game of basketball?**

"I fell in love with basketball when I was eight years old. I used to be a dancer when I was a kid, but then I realized that I was really, really tall – I was like 1.74m when I was like eight or nine years old. I remember one day they sent a letter to all the parents saying: ‘Do you want your kid to play this game or try this sport?' I got this letter from a basketball team in Rimini, my hometown, and my dad came to me saying: ‘Do you want to try it?' And I said: ‘Why not?' Then I started to play basketball in 1999. I kept it going with the ballerina stuff for a couple more years, but then I realized that I was really tall and my body was a problem to be a dancer instead of \[playing\] basketball; in the game of basketball, the fact I was so tall was good. I felt so comfortable playing basketball instead of being a dancer because a good dancer is not that tall. That's why I chose basketball at that point – I was 12, maybe – but I started at eight years old."

<center>
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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C43FKciLg37/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**What made you want to become a basketball content creator?**

"I have to say that being a basketball content creator is a consequence of being a basketball player. I started using my social media, with Facebook back in 2008, 2009, when I was at school. I used to post pictures of me playing basketball, some videos, and also some modelling stuff because I became a model when I was 15 years old. Then I just kept it going!" 

**You were diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2013 at age 21. How did you react when you heard the news?**

"When I realized that I got cancer in 2013, I was 21. At the beginning, I didn't realize how serious the situation was because I was a kid. When you're 21, you think you're invincible, that nothing can stop you, and you're so young that you've got your whole life in front of you. I was like: 'I don't know what's going on. I don't know what I have to do.' But I wasn't scared, I wasn't scared at all. It's crazy. People around me were really, really scared: my parents, my friends, my ex-boyfriend. But I wasn't. I just thought: 'So, what am I supposed to do now?' Then, when the doctors discussed a type of therapy, I was like: 'Whatever I have to do, I'm going to do it.' My mindset was like that at that time."

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0w-iH5oduN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0w-iH5oduN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0w-iH5oduN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**What sort of impact did that diagnosis have on you in the years that followed? Does it still impact you today?**

"The fact that I had cancer doesn't impact me nowadays because when you've had cancer, you know that anything could happen. Even if you heal it, one day it could happen that when you have a check, the cancer could come back – it's a possibility. I just live my life being the most relaxed I can be and enjoying the small things. The problem was the first years after they told me that I had cancer because they were some really tough years. I had to take this medication, have the surgery, and basketball and my job were everything that I had. When you're 22-23 years old and you play basketball, you're in the middle of your career. I remember that I had to change the league I was in: I was in A \[first division\] and B \[second division\] and I had to play in C \[third division\], but I never stopped playing basketball, I just switched leagues to try to play. But it wasn't easy. I remember during the treatment after the surgery, \[the effects\] lasted for two years. I was really, really weak and I had to sleep 15-18 hours per day, but I always wanted to go to practice with my teammates. But I was really weak, so sometimes I used to run for 15 minutes and then I was done. I couldn't do any more, and it was tough. sometimes I felt really cold, sometimes really hot – the temperature of your body, because of the thyroid, was really tough."

 

**Did basketball act like a safe haven during that time?**

"Basketball was a safe place for me during that time because on my worst days, when I was thinking that I can't get up from my bed, I would think: 'Okay, at 6-7, I have my practice with my teammates. My teammates are rooting for me, they're waiting for me. Even if it's just 10 minutes or 20 minutes running or shooting, they're waiting for me, so Valentina, please get up from this bed and go to practice.' So yes, it was a safe place. The doctors, treatment and everything saved me, but basketball saved my mind."

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3LARc1I8Re/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3LARc1I8Re/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3LARc1I8Re/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**What is your style of play on the court?**

"I am a power forward. I play 'four', sometimes I play in the post. Usually the girls that play the 'five' are bigger and heavier than me, so I used to play a little bit more outside as a 'four', a power forward. I love shooting!"

 **Which Hoop District team could be the trickiest to face?**

"Oh, this is a tough question. Maybe the Spanish team. In Spain, basketball is big, so maybe they're ready for the war. I'll go with the Spanish team."

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsgzILIoHFZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Valentina Vignali (@valentinavignali)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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 **What does it mean for you to be a team captain?**

"I've never been a captain of a team because of my behavior and who I am. I'm really emotional, I get angry, I get sad sometimes, I get mad sometimes, so I'm really emotional. Every time the coach was looking for a captain, he didn't choose me, so this is my first time. It will be a challenge for me to stay quiet and try to do my best for my teammates. They're all friends, though, so I'll try to do my best!"

Paris Basketball took a 1-0 lead in its best-of-three BKT EuroCup semifinals series by downing the London Lions 99-86 at home. In a high-scoring showdown, Paris's third-quarter difference was critical in this game. 


Paris's defense solves run-and-gun game 

Paris Basketball took a 1-0 lead in its best-of-three BKT EuroCup semifinals series by downing the London Lions 99-86 at home. In a high-scoring showdown, Paris's third-quarter difference was critical in this game. 

After a fun-to-watch first half, Paris had a slim lead at the break due to its better rhythm. The hosts made 19 of 28 two-pointers (67.9% 2FG) and forced London into 12 first-half turnovers. Still, the Lions managed to rally from a double-digit deficit to get within 52-48 near halftime.

T.J. Shorts made a jumper to fix the halftime score at 54-49. It was the start of a game-breaking 14-0 run that bridged the halves. Shorts scored 9 of those 14 points and fed Mikael Jantunen for a three. All of a sudden, Paris had a 66-49 margin and was well on its way to winning the game.

"Certainly, the way we started that quarter and built a big lead was the key to this game," head coach Tuomas Iisalo said after the game. "It generally helps to score 12 points with the opponent not being able to answer," he joked.

Paris kept going, limiting London to just 8 third-quarter points. The visitors only made 2 of 8 two-pointers (25%) and missed all of 7 shots from beyond the arc while committed 3 more turnovers. Moreover, Paris outrebounded London 17-7 in the third quarter.

Paris Basketball went on a 14-0 run in Game 1 of its BKT EuroCup semifinals series against the London Lions

Paris's game-breaking run

Even though London kept fighting, mainly through an outstanding David Nwaba, Paris kept a safe margin from that moment until the final buzzer.

"We just stuck to our identity, playing with speed, forcing tough shots, getting out and doing the things that got us here in the first place," Shorts said about his team's fantastic start of the third quarter. "I think that is what we did to start that second half and it separated the lead a little bit. And then from there, you are feeling more confident and were able to close the game."

Paris ended up outrebounding London 40-26, including 14 of those on the offensive end. London finished the game with 19 turnovers and made 4 of 19 three-pointers. Despite a slow start to the game, Shorts had an all-around performance that cemented his MVP candidacy: 23 points on 9 of 11 two-point shooting, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals.

London will host Game 2 on Friday.

The hosts decided the game with a monster third quarter

Paris's defense solved run-and-gun game 

Paris Basketball moved closer to its first-ever BKT EuroCup Finals by downing the London Lions 99-86 at Adidas Arenas in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal series on Tuesday. Paris has a 1-0 lead in the series, that now travels to London for Game 2. 

Paris outguns London in Game 1, 99-86! 

Paris Basketball moved closer to its first-ever BKT EuroCup Finals by downing the London Lions 99-86 at Adidas Arenas in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinals series on Tuesday. Paris has a 1-0 lead in the series, which now moves to London for Game 2. 

T.J. Shorts paced the winners with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. Nadir Hifi added 22 points, Tyson Ward had 11 while Justin Simon and Mikael Jantunen each had 10 for Paris. David Nwaba led London with 24 points. Gabe Olaseni added 15 while Sam Dekker and Tarik Phillip each had 11 for the guests.

### Paris shakes off slow start

Olaseni got London going with a three-point play and a layup before Donte Grantham gave the visitors a 0-7 lead. Sebastian Herrera and Hifi each struck from downtown and Ward scored down low to get Paris within 8-9. London found a new go-to guy in Nwaba, who scored 4 points in a 0-6 run. Hifi kept pushing Paris, getting help from Simon and Mehdy Nguoama to bring the hosts within 18-19. Hifi scored again, Shorts found his first points and Simon's layup gave Paris its first lead, 26-24. Shorts and Herrera kept their team in charge, 30-27, after 10 minutes.

### Nwaba keeps London in the game

Dekker made his second triple early in the second quarter. Leon Kratzer dunked twice in a 9-0 run that Herrera capped with a triple for a 39-30 Paris lead. Grantham took over with a dunk off the baseline but Simon and Hifi soon made it a double-digit game, 42-32. Nwaba stepped up with 8 quick points and Olaseni scored twice in the paint to give London hope at 52-46. Conor Morgan's three-point play and Shorts's jumper fixed the halftime score at 54-49.

### Paris takes off

Jantunen hit a triple right after the break and then Shorts followed Ward's coast-to-coast layup with a bomb from deep downtown, prompting London to call timeout at 62-49. Shorts capped a game-breaking 14-0 run with a wild three-point play for a 66-49 Paris lead. Nwaba and Dekker tried to change things for London but Shorts remained unstoppable and Collin Malcolm struck from beyond the arc to keep Paris in charge, 71-53. Paris kept running its offense through Shorts and Hifi, boosting its margin to 79-57 after 30 minutes.

### Hosts keep a safe lead

Nwaba tried to ignite London's comeback with 9 quick points early in the fourth quarter, singlehandedly bringing London within 79-66 with over 8 minutes left. Ward scored around the basket and Simon added a driving layup that gave Paris fresh air at 83-66. Shorts hit a jumper and fed Ward for a corner triple that sealed the outcome, 88-68. London did not give up but Paris fans had plenty of time to celebrate an important, no-doubt-about-it victory!

T.J. Shorts shined for the hosts, who never trailed after the first quarter. 

Paris outguns London in Game 1, 99-86

When JL Bourg en Bresse needed a boost in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the EuroCup Semifinals, Zaccharie Risacher rose to the occasion.

Risacher’s big threes helped Bourg hang on

The eyes of the basketball world are on Zaccharie Risacher. The 18-year-old forward is the purported No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, which means every move of his is being followed closely. And all the more so in Game 1 of the BKT EuroCup semifinals with his Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse hosting Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul.

In the first three-plus quarters, he didn’t give his fans or scouts much to get excited about, spare 2 first quarter free throws and a spectacular block of Kyle Allman in the second quarter. But when Bourg needed a boost in the fourth quarter, Risacher rose to the occasion.

Besiktas had already slashed an 18-point second-quarter lead to 6 at the end of the third quarter. And after Bourg recreated a 13-point lead early in the fourth, Derek Needham had the visitors had the visitors on the move again. His three-pointer made it 71-63 and Bourg needed to respond.

Risacher highlights from Game 1

The response came from Risacher. Only seconds later, he took on Besiktas Berk Ugurlu and created space to drain a step-back three-pointer. Then, after a Jequan Lewis steal, Risacher led Bourg in transition and was only stopped by a Needham foul. On the ensuing play, Lewis fed Risacher for a three from the corner. Suddenly the margin was 77-63 and Bourg was in full control.

He added a rebound and an assist later in the fourth quarter to finish with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers and 1 block. Though it may not be among the rising star’s finest efforts in the EuroCup this season, he was ready for the pressure when his team needed him most.

And as Bourg readies for Game 2 in Istanbul on Friday, when a win would be worth a historic ticket to the finals, it is good for fans and scouts to know that Risacher is not afraid of big moments.

The eyes of the basketball world are on Zaccharie Risacher. 