Nedo's World Cup Diary: Quarterfinal predictions 

Did you ever wonder what a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague star brings along with him to the game? Kyle Hines from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan goes down his list. 

What's in my EuroLeague Kitbag? Kyle Hines, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 

Did you ever wonder what a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague star brings along with him to the game? Kyle Hines from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan goes down his list.

What's in my EuroLeague Kitbag? Kyle Hines, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Three people who were close to Nikola Vujcic in different capacities – Milos Teodosic, a former teammate; David Blatt, who coached him; and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv president Shimon Mizrahi, who hired him as both a player and general manager – talk about working with and befriending the newest official Euroleague Basketball Legend.

Knowing the legendary Nikola Vujcic: 'He was a big brother' 

A multiple Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title-winner, head coach Dimitris Itoudis is among eight newcomers this season at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul who have already jelled into a force at the top of the standings.  The experienced coach reveals his ambitions for Fenerbahce and discusses the attributes he looked for in the players who came new to the club this season.

Focus on: Dimitris Itoudis, Fenebrahce Beko Istanbul 

Dimitris Itoudis, Fenerbahce: 'I feel full of energy'

Nikola Vujcic, who becomes an official Euroleague Basketball Legend this week, reflects on his career, and in particular his huge role on historic Maccabi Tel Aviv teams that won back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague titles in 2004 and 2005. 

EuroLeague Basketball Legend Interview, Nikola Vujcic: 'It was meant to be' 

Nikola Vujcic, who becomes an official Euroleague Basketball Legend this week, reflects on his career, and in particular his huge role on historic Maccabi Tel Aviv teams that won back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague titles in 2004 and 2005.

EuroLeague Basketball Legend Interview, Nikola Vujcic: 'It was meant to be'

Euroleague Basketball Legend Interview, Nikola Vujcic: 'It was meant to be' 

Two sons of successful athletes find themselves across an ocean together as Turkish Airlines EuroLeague pros in the German capital to play for an ALBA Berlin team that marches to its own drummer. 

Focus on: Luke Sikma & Ben Lammers, ALBA Berlin 

### **Two sons of successful athletes find themselves across an ocean together as Turkish Airlines EuroLeague pros in the German capital to play for an ALBA Berlin team that marches to its own drummer.** 

Focus on: Luke Sikma & Ben Lammers, ALBA Berlin

Luke Sikma and Ben Lammers, ALBA: 'This is such a unique situation'

Vasilije Micic | Round 11 MVP | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 

His late-game dominance in Anadolu Efes Istanbul's come-from-behind 82-71 home win over Olympiacos Piraeus has earned Vasilije Micic the MVP honor for Round 11.

Vasilije Micic | Round 11 MVP | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Top 10 Plays | Round 11 | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 

Be sure to take a look at the best ten plays of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 11!

Top 10 Plays | Round 11 | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

FC Bayern Munich - Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 11 | Highlights

FC Bayern Munich v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2022-12-02T19:30:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas - Panathinaikos Athens | Round 11 | Highlights

Zalgiris Kaunas v Panathinaikos Athens (2022-12-02T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul - Real Madrid | Round 11 | Highlights

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Real Madrid (2022-12-02T17:45:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade - Virtus Segafredo Bologna | Round 11 | Highlights

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2022-12-02T17:00:00.000Z)

What's in my EuroLeague Kitbag? John Holland, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade 

Did you ever wonder what a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague star brings along with him to the game? John Holland from Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade  goes down his list.

What's in my EuroLeague Kitbag? John Holland, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade - Valencia Basket | Round 11 | Highlights

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Valencia Basket (2022-12-01T19:45:00.000Z)

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz - EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | Round 11 | Highlights

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2022-12-01T19:30:00.000Z)

Latest videos

Round 12 previews

 Round 12 injury report 

Check out all injuries and absences expected in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague before Round 12:

**ALBA Berlin**

Marcus Eriksson is out indefinitely due to a leg injury.

Jonas Mattisseck is out indefinitely due to a broken hand.

Louis Olinde returned to action in Round 11.

**Anadolu Efes Istanbul**

Shane Larkin returned to action in the Turkish League this week but left the court with another injury.

Dogus Balbay remains sidelined.

Amath M'Baye missed his team's last game. His status is uncertain.

**AS Monaco**

John Brown is about against Real Madrid due to a rib injury,

**Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz**

Baskonia has a full roster ahead of its Round 12 game against Bayern.

**Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade**

Nikola Ivanovic is out for one month due to a broken rib.

**EA7 Emporio Armani Milan**

[Shavon Shields ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/milan-loses-shields-at-least-6-8-weeks/)(foot) is expected to be out until at least early 2023.

[Kevin Pangos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/milans-pangos-out-at-least-six-weeks/?pageTitle=EA7%20Emporio%20Armani%20Milan&historyUrl=/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) is due out through January with a knee injury.

Stefano Tonut returned to practice and is expected to be available in Round 12.

Luigi Datome has missed his team's last three games due to an viral infection, the club said. His return date is uncertain.

**FC Barcelona**

[Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/reigning-mvp-mirotic-to-miss-start-of-the-season/) returned to action and is available from now on.

[Sergi Martinez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/barcas-martinez-to-undergo-knee-surgery/) is out due to a knee injury that required surgery.

Sertac Sanli has missed his team's last two games due to a knee problem.

Alex Abrines has been out for one week due to back problems.

**FC Bayern Munich**

Vladimir Lucic will miss several games due to an elbow injury.

Augustine Rubit is not expected to play in Round 12 due to a groin injury.

Corey Walden (ankle) and Nick Weiler-Babb (hip) missed the last domestic game. Their status is uncertain for Round 11.

Paul Zipser is back in action and ready to face Baskonia

Zan Sisko has not played since Round 1 and is out indefinitely.

Bayern loaned guard Jason George to fellow German club Niners Chemnitz until the end of the 2023-24 season.

**Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul**

Nemanja Bjelica (calf) remains sidelined. He has not played this season.

DyShawn Pierre left his team's Round 8 game early due to a knee problem. His status is uncertain.

[Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahces-wilbekin-to-miss-2-3-weeks/?pageTitle=Fenerbahce%20Beko%20Istanbul&historyUrl=/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) is expected to be out until mid-December with a knee injury.

**LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne**

[Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvels-lauvergne-suffers-torn-acl/) is out indefinitely due to a torn ACL.

**Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv**

[Alex Poythress ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/maccabi-loses-poythress-for-at-least-four-months/?pageTitle=Maccabi%20Playtika%20Tel%20Aviv&historyUrl=/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/tel/)is expected to be sidelined until March with a broken hand.

Darrun Hilliard returned to practice this week.

Wade Baldwin missed Round 11 with a hamstring strain. He is a game-time decision in Round 12.

**Olympiacos Piraeus**

Olympiacos has a full roster available against Virtus.

**Panathinaikos Athens**

Marius Grigonis got injured in Round 8 and is out against Milan.

Nate Wolters (virus) and Lefteris Mantzoukas (elbow) are doubtful in Round 12

Panathinaikos signed Nikos Pappas, who still needs to be registered in the competition.

**Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade**

[Alen Smailagic has been on and off the team due to injuries. He has returned to practice.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/partizan-announces-injuries-to-exum-koprivica/)

[Balsa Koprivica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/partizan-announces-injuries-to-exum-koprivica/) (broken hand) isn't due back until January.

[Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/partizan-pair-out-long-term/) (hand injury) has started to practice with the team.

**Real Madrid**

Guerschon Yabusele is out due to a sprained knee suffered in Round 7.

Carlos Alocen (knee) is out indefinitely.

Anthony Randolph (knee) has not played this season and is out indefinitely.

[Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/reals-fernandez-out-indefinitely/) (wrist) has yet to play a EuroLeague game this season.

Adam Hanga continues to be sidelined due to a thigh injury.

**Valencia Basket**

Sam Van Rossom is out indefinitely due to a knee injury.

[Martin Hermannsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencia-re-signs-guard-hermannsson/) is out with a knee injury.

[Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/knee-arthritis-to-sideline-valencias-jones/?pageTitle=Valencia%20Basket&historyUrl=/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) is set to miss some games due to a knee injury.

Millan Jimenez is sidelined due to an ankle problem.

**Virtus Segafredo Bologna**

[Awudu Abass](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-abass-to-undergo-knee-surgery/) is recovering from a knee injury and not expected to play anytime soon.

Toko Shengelia (ankle) and Semi Ojeleye (calf) are questionable in Round 11.

Milos Teodosic is back to the team after a one-game suspension.

**Zalgiris Kaunas**

Lukas Lekavicius is sidelined until early 2023 with a broken rib.

Mantas Kalnietis is out for one more week due to a thigh problem.

Round 12 injury report

The Appeals Judge of Euroleague Basketball has partially upheld the appeal submitted by Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Milos Teodosic.

As a consequence, [the sanction of 30 November 2022](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/round-10-disciplinary-sanction/) by the Disciplinary Judge, imposing the disqualification for two games of Milos Teodosic, is substituted by a disqualification of one game and a fine of €15,000.

Decision of the Appeals Judge

For the first time ever, the two top Serbian clubs, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade, will face off in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in what's expected to be a night to remember.

Trademarks by Eurohoops: The EuroLeague's first-ever Belgrade Derby

Very few rivalries around the world carry the excitement and energy that European archrivals bring to the table. For many years, games between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, Panathinaikos Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus, and also Fenerbahce against Anadolu Efes in Istanbul have created a buzz that couldn't be rivaled by anything else in the world of basketball.  

The recent additions to those marquee matchups include Monaco vs. LDLC ASVEL and AX Armani Exchange Milan vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Now, for the first time ever, Belgrade will witness a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague derby between two of the oldest and most passionate rivals in sports.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade will host Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade in front of 18,000 pumped-up fans at Stark Arena in the Serbian capital in an event that is expected to make history and already includes basketball icons, starting from the coaches.

[Read all about it here.](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1429849/partizan-vs-crvena-zvezda-the-first-ever-euroleague-belgrade-derby/)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (2022-12-08T19:30:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas will lose some of its veteran backcourt leadership through December after point guard Lukas Lekavicius suffered a broker rib, the club announced on Tuesday. 

 Zalgiris loses Lekavicius until new year 

Zalgiris Kaunas will lose some of its veteran backcourt leadership through December after point guard [Lukas Lekavicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lukas-lekavicius/003210/) suffered a broker rib, the club announced on Tuesday. Lekavicius, 28, suffered the injury in a Lithuanian League game on Monday evening. Lekavicius went down in the third quarter after feeling a sudden pain in his chest. He left the game immediately and could not continue. Lekavicius underwent testing on Tuesday and was diagnosed with a broken rib that is set to keep him out of action for at least four weeks

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lukas Lekavicius will miss considerable time after suffering a broken rib in last night’s game against CBet Jonava.<br><br>📰: <a href="<https://t.co/lXRbF0Qa2u">https://t.co/lXRbF0Qa2u</a>> <a href="<https://t.co/FKgpNKnU6k">pic.twitter.com/FKgpNKnU6k</a></p>&mdash>; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="<https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1600081004818886656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December> 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="<https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js>" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Now in his ninth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, seven with Zalgiris and two with Panathinaikos Athens, Lekavicius has been averaging 5.6 points and 1.4 assists while shooting 95.0% – eighth-best in the competition – at the free-throw line. In his 242 games all-time, Lekavicius has been good for 6.9 points and 2.4 assists.  

Zalgiris loses Lekavicius until new year


[Panathinaikos OPAP Athens vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/panathinaikos-athens-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2022/101/)

Red-hot Panathinaikos (5-6) will look for a fourth straight win against a Milan team (3-8) which is equally intent on ending its seven-game losing streak. Derrick Williams is in top form for the Greens, registering double-digit PIRs in each of the last six games, and his all-action style epitomizes the energy Panathinaikos has found in recent games. Milan had a stellar performance from Brandon Davies in last week's loss at Baskonia, with 23 points and 12 rebounds, but needs others to similarly step up to prevent another defeat.

[Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-mts-belgrade/E2022/103/)

All the devotion that distinguishes the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague will be on full display as Partizan (4-7) hosts Zvezda (5-6) in the competition's first-ever Belgrade derby. Partizan has struggled with three straight losses, while Zvezda remains a perfect 4-0 under new head coach Dusko Ivanovic. A key battle will come in the backcourt, where home team sharpshooter Kevin Punter will look to maintain his season average of 15.9 points per game against Zvezda playmaker Luca Vildoza, who had 15 points, 5 assists and 3 steals in last week's win over Virtus.

Luca Vildoza, Kevin Xavier Punter Top Plays of the 2022-23 Round 11

Luca Vildoza, Kevin Punter to match up in Belgrade Derby


[ALBA Berlin vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/alba-berlin-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2022/100/)

ALBA (3-8) will aim to end the competition's worst losing streak – eight games – with a visit from league-leading Fenerbahce (9-2), which wants bounce back from last week's home loss to Real Madrid. ALBA will feel a much-needed win is just around the corner after losing by just 2, 4 and 2 points in its last three home games. This promises to be an open and high-scoring game between the teams ranked first and fourth, respectively, in assists per game (21.5 vs. 19.7).

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-valencia-basket/E2022/102/)

In a key showdown between two teams placed just outside the all-important top eight, Maccabi (5-6) will hope that Lorenzo Brown can maintain the stunning form that saw him score 36 points in last week's loss at Bayern. Valencia (5-6) will have to cope without backcourt star Chris Jones, whose injury means he cannot face his former club. That will place more responsibility on the shoulders of Jared Harper, who has scored in double digits for three games in a row.

[Real Madrid vs. AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/real-madrid-as-monaco/E2022/104/)

Two teams currently sharing second place meet in the Spanish capital as high-flying Real (8-3) aims for a seventh consecutive victory against a Monaco team (8-3) which has won three of its last four. Real has scored at least 80 points for seven games in a row, with Dzanan Musa averaging 20 points in the last three games on 61.8% field goal shooting. Monaco can counter that with its underrated defense, which has forced more turnovers than any other team in the competition (15.8 per game), let by John Brown, Alpha Diallo and Mike James with 1.6 steals each.

Alpha Diallo, Dzanan Musa Top Plays of the 2022-23 Round 11 and of the 2022-23 Round 10

Dzanan Musa will go against Alpha Diallo in Round 12

[Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/olympiacos-piraeus-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2022/107/)

Olympiacos (7-4) will look to strengthen its position in the playoffs places against a Virtus team (4-7) that has lost three games in a row by allowing 83, 85 and 88 points. To improve defensively, the visiting team will try to control Kostas Sloukas, who leads the league in assists (6.8 per game). Olympiacos has the third-worst perimeter defense in the competition, allowing its opponents to convert 39.0% of their three-point attempts, which could be exploited by Virtus sharpshooter Semi Ojeleye (48.3% three-pointers).

[Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/cazoo-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-fc-bayern-munich/E2022/108/)

A tight battle can be expected at Buesa Arena, where fast-paced Baskonia (6-5) will look to outgun a Bayern (4-7) team that showed its offensive potential by scoring 98 points to overcome Maccabi last week on the back of 23 points from Cassius Winston, who leads the team with 11.5 points per game. Baskonia has won three straight at home, with playmaker Darius Thompson continuing his fine EuroLeague rookie season with 15 points and 7 assists last week against Milan.

[FC Barcelona vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fc-barcelona-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2022/106/)

Round 12 concludes at Palau Blaugrana, where ASVEL (3-8) faces the colossal challenge of ending its five game losing streak against a confident Barcelona team (8-3) which has won five straight at home and has reigning EuroLeague MVP Nikola Mirotic back in action after injury. ASVEL will look to control the boards through Youssoupha Fall, who ranks third in the competition with 7.2 rebounds per game, but also needs to find offensive fluency after scoring just 72.0 points per game, next-to-worst in the league.

[Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/zalgiris-kaunas-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2022/105/)

Fast-rising reigning champ Efes (6-5) is gunning for a fifth straight win as it travels to Zalgiris (6-5) in a meeting between direct rivals for the playoffs positions. After coming close to a triple-double with 18 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds in last week's win over Olympiacos, Efes star Vasilije Micic will look to maintain his stellar form against the team with whom his really sparked into life in the 2017-18 season. But he'll have to overcome Zalgiris leader Keenan Evans, who has averaged 19 points in the last four games.

Vasilije Micic, Keenan Evans Top Plays of the 2022-23 Round 11

Vasilije Micic, Keenan Evans set to square off in Kaunas

Round 12 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague revs. up on Thursday and Friday, with a passionate crosstown derby highlighting this week's action. Here's your guide to the games ahead.

Round 12 at a glance: Belgrade Derby highlights an intriguing week

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v FC Bayern Munich (2022-12-09T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2022-12-09T19:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2022-12-09T19:00:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2022-12-09T18:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v AS Monaco (2022-12-08T20:00:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Valencia Basket (2022-12-08T19:05:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos Athens v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2022-12-08T19:00:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2022-12-08T19:00:00.000Z)

Five takeaways from the first third of the EuroLeague season

### Fenerbahce found instant chemistry

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has put an early grip on first place in the standings by leaning on a host of newly-arrived players, several of whom are producing better numbers than last season.

In similar minutes as he played at FC Barcelona last season, veteran point guard Nick Calathes has higher scoring (9.0 to 7.8 ppg.) and PIR (13.8 to 11.8), and his 48.3% three-point accuracy is by far the highest of his 11-year career. Swing forward Nigel Hayes-Davis, also over from Barca, has doubled his scoring (4.2 to 10.9) and triples his PIR (4.0 to 13.4) with almost 10 minutes more per game. Shooting guard Scottie Wilbekin has been holding his own on a per-minute basis since migrating from Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, while EuroLeague newcomer Johnathan Motley is leading Fenerbahce in scoring (14.4) and rebounds (5.5).

That quartet started in all of Fenerbahce's games until Wilbekin missed the last one with an injury. Far from taking time to build chemistry, the familiar storyline with revamped rosters like this, new head coach Dimitris Itoudis has infused this team with confidence even as the team awaits the return of former MVP Nemanja Bjelica, who has yet to play this season.

As good as Fenerbahce has been, the standings leader through a third of the season might just be getting started.

Nigel Hayes, Johnathan Motley, Nick Calathes Top Plays from 11/07/2022 to 12/07/2022

Nick Calathes, Nigel Hayes and Johnathan Motley are leading Fenerbahce

### Clyburn has fit right in at Efes

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has played all season so far without Shane Larkin, who had the highest PIR average on the team over the last two seasons, but is none the worse for his absence thanks to the perfect fit that Will Clyburn has proven to be for the two-time defending champs.

The 32-year-old forward leads the EuroLeague in scoring with 20.7 points per game while ranking third in PIR (22.4) and fourth in rebounds (6.5). He is playing more minutes (35:21) than any player in the league, but right behind him is Vasilije Micic (34:44), who is second in PIR (22.5).

The duo of Micic and Larkin had given Efes a choice of go-to stars that was too much for other pretenders to the crown to overcome in not only the last two seasons, but the unfinished one before that. With Clyburn making similar impact from the forward position, Efes has barely missed a beat, and in fact sits higher now – tied for sixth place – than after 11 games last season.

With Larkin due back before long, the question is how Efes – not to mention its opponents – will deal with a triple-star lineup aiming to win the first three-peat title of the century.

Will Clyburn Top Plays from 11/07/2022 to 12/07/2022

Will Clyburn's impact for Efes

### Streaky last month rocked the standings

If you looked at the EuroLeague standings just a month ago, after Round 6, you would have found three teams in the bottom five – Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade and Panathinaikos Athens  – who are now tied for eighth place or higher.

Three others then tied for eighth place – ALBA Berlin, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne – have not won since and now share the bottom spot in the table. Shifts may be common early in any season, but to see so many positive and negative streaks in the same short span is rather rare.

There have been 42 streaks of five or more defeats since the round-robin format debuted in the 2016-17 season, but never three happening together simultaneously, let alone with three winning streaks, though smaller, in progress.

So, going forward, as always, expect the unexpected in the EuroLeague. After all, injury-plagued Milan is one of just four teams to post at least four six-win streaks in the last five seasons, so there's no telling which teams will see the elevator go up or down again in the coming months.

### Vezenkov has set a record pace

It's hard to underestimate how dominant forward Sasha Vezenkov has been for Olympiacos Piraeus, currently fifth in the standings with a 7-4 record. Vezenkov, the November MVP, has a league-high average PIR of 26.6 through 11 games. He also tops all EuroLeague players in rebounds (8.2) ranks second in scoring (19.9 ppg.). Perhaps most remarkable is his shooting. Vezenkov is the only player in the league making more than 65% of his two-point shots, 40% of his threes and 85% of his free throws.

Advanced stats add to the story. No one who plays more than 25 minutes a game pulls at least 20% of the defensive rebounds available to them except Vezenkov, who grabs 24.9%, basically one of every four misses by opponents, in his 32 minutes per game. The same is true of total rebounds, offensive and defensive: He grabs 16.2% of what's available when he's on the floor, the highest among any player averaging more than 22 minutes.

Only one player this century has played a full EuroLeague season of more than 12 games with an average PIR higher than 26.0. That was the legendary Arvydas Sabonis, in the 2003-04 season, his finale with Zalgiris Kaunas, when he posted a PIR of 26.3 per game.

If Vezenkov can keep it up through the spring, he will be rewriting the history books.

Sasha Vezenkov Top Plays from 11/07/2022 to 12/07/2022

Sasha Vezenkov is doing it all for Olympiacos

### Top teams are shrugging off injuries

A team's ability to compete well despite injuries comes with two benefits. First, and most obvious, by not automatically sinking when players are missing, the team's place in the standings is more or less maintained, making the climb easier when those players come back. Second, and less obvious, is that competing with fewer players than expected or reserves playing bigger minutes is the fastest way to team depth. Players whose minutes go up because a teammate is injured gain valuable experience that the team can depend on later.

As already mentioned, first-place Fenerbahce has played without major off-season pickup Bjelica, not to mention defensive ace Dyshawn Pierre, others like Hayes-Davis stepped up. The same can be said for FC Barcelona, who was missing Nikola Mirotic, last season's MVP, until Round 11, and shooting ace Kyle Kuric for much of the same time.

Finally, there's Real, which has not seen Rudy Fernandez, Anthony Randolph or Carlos Alocen play yet and went the first seven games without Nigel Williams-Goss. Another backcourt veteran, Adam Hanga, has been able to appear in just four games, and yet another, Fabien Causeur, just seven. It was after Round 7, too, that Real lost one of its top performers from last season, Guerschon Yabusele, to injury.

Real always has depth, of course, but three new arrivals have helped plug the gaps in the absence of others. Dzanan Musa is leading the team with 14.9 points per game. Mario Hezonja is close being at 9.0 and 2.4 rebounds, while Petr Cornelie is contributing 6.5 and 2.6 rebounds.

Fenerbahce, Real and Barca currently hold the top three spots in the standings, which makes you wonder how strong they will be once fully healthy.

Dzanan Musa, Mario Hezonja, Petr Cornelie Top Plays from 11/07/2022 to 12/07/2022

Musa, Hezonja and Cornelie are stepping up for Real

At the one-third mark of the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, a few insights jump out from looking at what players and teams are thriving so far.

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Fantasy Challenge

Round 11 post-game

Top perfomers

Fantasy Challenge, Round 12: Welcome back, Niko!

Round 12 is almost here, giving you, the best fantasy managers in European basketball, another chance to win prizes in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime. There are some big games in Round 12, but arguably none as interesting as the Belgrade derby: Partizan Mozzart Bet and Crvena Zvezda mts go against each other in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for the first time. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul defends the top spot against ALBA Berlin in the German capital, and Real Madrid hosts AS Monaco in what could be a high-scoring showdown. Beware: the last time those teams met, it was 66-66 at the end of regulation. The competition remains unpredictable, and so does the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge. 

Things went horribly wrong for my team Gancedato in Round 11. My head coach, Kazys Maksvytis of Zalgiris Kaunas, lost his game. My two centers, Jan Vesely of FC Barcelona and Filip Petrusev of Zvezda, combined for a PIR of 7. I switched captains to get Nick Calathes of Fenerbahce, who had a PIR of 3. I ended up getting a season-low 79.85 points, ranking just 79,923rd in Round 11. Of course, I dropped many spots in the overall standings, ranking 4,870th. It was a hard week but hey, there are 30 more chances to do better than that, so let's go for it. 

Three trades are allowed before each round and you can trade your head coach, too. I have already decided that I am going to sign Nikola Mirotic of FC Barcelona. He is the ultimate Fantasy Challenge player but buying him means that I need to let Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus go. I cannot afford both right now. My next goal will be to have both of them, but if I want to be competitive, there is nothing else I can do. As for head coach, I am selling Maksvytis and buying Joan Penarroya because his team, Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, is 4-1 at home this season and winning by big margins at Buesa Arena. 

I am also selling my two centers, but not because they didn't do well in Round 11. Bad games can happen. With Mirotic back, Mike Tobey returns to the '5' position and that means less playing time for Vesely. As for Petrusev, I expect Zvezda's most experienced guys to see more playing time in the Serbian derby. I am buying Johnathan Motley of Fenerbahce and Jasiel Rivero of Valencia Basket. I wish I could buy Brandon Davies of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan instead of Rivero but again, I don't have enough credits. 

You can take a look at my team here:

As you can see, my team features five players taking the court on Thursday and four more on Friday. Initially, I am putting Mirotic as my sixth man, which doesn't matter because I can trade any player to that spot in between games, and choosing Motley as my team captain. Having Mirotic and Darius Thompson of Baskonia on my bench gives me a little bit of much-needed tranquility. 

Remember, the 2022-23 EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime features better prizes than ever, so get your game on now!

And don't forget to use #fantasychallenge on social media all season long. Good luck!

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