Here's a look at some of the hottest players in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, who you may want for your EuroLeague Fantasy teams.

Fantasy tips, Round 6: Players on the rise!

Through five rounds in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, only Real Madrid is undefeated and just LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is seeking its first victory. The game between Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Real has been suspended, so players from those teams will get their average scores in Round 6 of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home). Here are a few recommendations to make your teams better and challenge for prizes in the weekly standings.

[Aleksa Avramovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/) (6.9 credits) – Partizan is without star guard Kevin Punter, so Avramovic should see significant playing time. He is the kind of player who can give you a high PIR due to his deep shooting range and feel for steals. It is no surprise that he is owned by over 30% of fantasy managers this season.

[John Brown, AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/john-brown/010588/) (8.1 credits) – Brown comes off a strong Round 5 performance against Maccabi with 11 points and 8 rebounds for a PIR of 20 in less than 25 minutes. Against Milan, Brown should have the tough mission of guarding Nikola Mirotic, so we expect him to remain focused and active. 

Aleksa Avramovic, Jordan Mickey. Dinos Mitoglou, Keenan Evans and John Brown are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Round 6

[Dinos Mitoglou, Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) (9.7 credits) – Mitoglou had a fantastic second half against Baskonia last week as he led Panathinaikos to a 95-81 win with 23 points and a PIR of 24. He can deliver at the '4' and '5' spots, and Mitoglou is smart enough to look for advantages due to his high basketball IQ. 

[Jordan Mickey, Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-mickey/008847/) (9.9 credits) – Virtus is on a four-game winning streak and Mickey has had a lot to do with it, averaging 12.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks off the bench. In Round 5, Mickey posted 11 points and 4 blocked shots against ASVEL. He is a good option at center for a less than 10 credits! 

[Keenan Evans, Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/) (13.7 credits) – Zalgiris plays at home against ASVEL, which gives Evans a chance to keep doing well. In the last two games, Evans has averaged 16.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 6.5 fouls drawn for a PIR of 24.5. Evans has already proved that his injury belongs in the past and wants to keep leading Zalgiris.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-10-31T19:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-11-03T19:30:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v ALBA Berlin (2023-11-02T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Panathinaikos Athens (2023-11-03T19:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-11-03T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v AS Monaco (2023-11-02T19:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v FC Bayern Munich (2023-11-02T17:30:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-11-02T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-11-02T17:45:00.000Z)

Round 6 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague will see teams across the continent pushing for places inside the playoffs positions as the standings start to take shape. Here's your guide to this week's action.

This week: Superpower showdowns highlight three nights of action

### Thursday, November 2

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/47/)

After suffering a heartbreaking loss in last week's Belgrade derby, Zvezda (1-4) will look to respond against a Bayern (2-3) team which is also hurting after consecutive losses. Zvezda, playing its first home game under new coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos, is starting to find leadership from its new backcourt pairing of Shabazz Napier and Yago Dos Santos, who combined for 25 points and 9 assists in the derby. Bayern is the league leader in rebounding with 40.4 per game, led by 7.5 from Serge Ibaka, but must start to find better outside looks after converting a competition-worst 24.2% of three-point attempts so far. Andreas Obst, in particular, would love to start firing after making just 8 of his 28 long-range attempts so far.

Game [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-notes-red-mun) and [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-facts-red-mun).

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/50/)

A heavyweight battle between title candidates will see Fenerbahce (4-1) attempt to extend its three-game winning run with a visit from reignited Olympiacos (3-2), which has won two in a row. The Reds got back to basics with a smothering defense to defeat Efes 75-57 last week, and the endlessly energetic Kostas Papanikolaou will try to have the same effect against in-form Scottie Wilbekin, who has scored 18 and 17 points in the last two games. In the paint, there's a battle of giants as Nikola Milutinov (12.4 ppg., 5.4 rpg.) goes up against a familiar foe in former Panathinaikos man Georgios Papagiannis (9.6 ppg., 2.8 rpg.), who is gradually settling in his new home.

Game [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-notes-ulk-oly) and [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-facts-ulk-oly).

At the conclusion of a series of momentum swings that hasn't seen either win two games consecutivelt,  Olympiacos look to make home-court advantage count against Fenerbahçe, who've excelled on defense by holding the usually prolific Reds to less than 80 points in every game thus far.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul - Playoffs Game 5 - Highlights

[Zalgiris Kaunas vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/49/)

Zalgiris (3-2) will look to bounce back from last week's heavy home loss to Valencia against an ASVEL team (0-5) looking for its first win of the season in new coach Giancarlo Pozzecco's road debut. With Paris Lee leading the offense by dishing 10 assists, ASVEL put up a good fight in last week's narrow loss to Virtus and will hope for a similar improvement to finally get into the W column. Big man Joffrey Lauvergne (11.8 ppg., 4.2 rpg.) returns to Kaunas to face his former team and will do battle with Zalgiris power forward Rolands Smits (14.4 ppg., 5.0 rpg.), who has also started the season well.

Game [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-notes-zal-asv) and [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-facts-zal-asv).

[Valencia Basket vs. ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-alba-berlin/E2023/53/)

Valencia (4-1) will look to maintain its excellent start to the season against an ALBA (1-4) team which is also feeling good about life after downing Milan for its first win of the season in Round 5. Johannes Thiemann has been phenomenal for the German team, putting up 15.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while summer signing Sterling Brown has averaged 16.7 points in the last three games. Valencia was boosted by Jared Harper returning from injury and scoring 13 points to help seal last week's win at Zalgiris, with big man Boubacar Toure also impressing as he paired 9 points with 7 rebounds. His power alongside Brandon Davies will be crucial in slowing down Thiemann.

Game [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-notes-val-ber) and [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-facts-val-ber).

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-as-monaco/E2023/46/)

After losing at home against Maccabi on Tuesday, despite 22 points and 8 assists from Shavon Shields, Milan (1-4) will be quickly back in action with another home game as Monaco (3-2) comes to town on Thursday. Elie Okobo was one of six double-digit scorers in Monaco's spectacular victory over Maccabi last week, posting his best game of the season with 17 points and 6 assists without a turnover. If he can maintain that form alongside the always electric Mike James, who will be returning to face his former club, the men from the principality will be confident of extending their impressive three-game winning streak. Milan will be desperate to avoid repeating last season's poor start (3-10) which ultimately scuppered its realistic playoff ambitions. The Italian side certainly needs to improve on the 18 turnovers committed against Maccabi if it is to get back on track.

Game [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-notes-mil-mco) and [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-facts-mil-mco).

In a first matchup between the two for twenty years, it's a Supercup-style showdown between the reigning EuroCup and EuroLeague champions. Both are hovering just outside the top-eight, but who can bolster their prospects of securing a place in the postseason?

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Round 10 - Highlights

#### Friday, November 3

[Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/54/)

Friday's first tipoff will see one of the league's hottest teams seeking to extend its winning run as red-hot Virtus (4-1) welcomes inconsistent Efes (2-3). Virtus's efficiency is reflected in the fact that the Italian team ranks second in the league in both two (57.9%) and three-point (42.2%) shooting efficiency, with Toko Shenglia excelling in all aspects on his way to 18.4 points per game. Efes needs to reignite an offense that was held to just 57 points at Olympiacos last week, with only Elijah Bryant netting in double digits as he scored 10 points. Efes will need its leaders like Will Clyburn and Shane Larkin to step up against a confident and highly effective Virtus which is looking to best the Turkish team for the first time since 2002.

Game [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-notes-vir-ist) and [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-facts-vir-ist).

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/52/)

After badly losing its way to suffer three straight defeats, Baskonia (1-4) will look to get back on the right path as it welcomes a Partizan (2-3) team still high after downing local rivals Zvezda in a Round 5 derby thriller. Aleksa Avramovic played a big part in his team's comeback last week, and his 11.6 points per game is just one of the weapons that have made Zeljko Obradovic's team the most potent offense in the league, with 86.8 points per game. Baskonia needs to generate better looks after ranking worst in two-point shooting (49.8%) and second-worst from long range (30.6%) so far, but the rebounding power of Tadas Sederkerskis (8.8 rpg.) has at least made the Spanish team the fourth-best team on the boards (37.8 per night).

Game [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-notes-bas-par) and [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-facts-bas-par).

[FC Barcelona vs. Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-panathinaikos-athens/E2023/51/)

Barcelona (4-1) will look to bounce back from last week's close El Clásico defeat against a Panathinaikos (2-3) team that boosted its confidence with a convincing home win over Baskonia. Mathias Lessort excelled in that triumph, winning the weekly MVP award with 23 points and 14 rebounds, and he faces a big fight with another player who grabbed a double-double last week, Jan Vesely (12 points and 10 rebounds). In the backcourt, a battle between two of the league's best guards will see Nico Laprovittola (13.8 ppg., 6.8 apg.) showdown with Kostas Sloukas (11.2 ppg., 5 apg.). And judging by previous visits, Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman returning to Palau Blaugrana will be well worth watching.

Game [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-notes-bar-pan) and [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs6-game-facts-bar-pan).

Owners of eight continental-titles between them, a pair of basketball juggernauts collide with Barça wanting a repeat of the defensive masterclass shown in the win against Monaco, whereas Panathinaikos wish to instigate another winning-sequence after an overtime loss to Valencia.

FC Barcelona vs Panathinaikos Athens - Round 14 - Highlights

Mike James of AS Monaco last week became the fourth and fastest player to score more than 4,000 points in Turkish Airlines Euro League history, but he also did it despite a higher lever of difficulty based on Synergy Shot Quality data.

Stats Review: Mike James makes the spectacular seem routine

[Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) of AS Monaco last week became [the fourth and fastest player to score more than 4,000 points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mike-james-is-fastest-ever-to-reach-4000-euroleague-points/) in Turkish Airlines Euro League history. This is a feather in the cap of one of the sport's most accomplished scorers, who this season is off to one of the hottest starts of his 10-year career. James has averaged 22.9 points per 40-minutes, pace adjusted, over that decade, has taken home the EuroLeague's Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy, and has secured multiple All-EuroLeague honors. 

What has long made James special and aided his climb to this milestone is not only that he is a dynamic scorer – with sharp footwork, deep range, incredible creativity with the ball, and unwavering confidence – but how often he gets hot and then stays hot – for weeks on end, even.

In the graph above, which covers his EuroLeague career, James's points per shot (the black line), doesn't merely rise above the expected value of his attempts according to Synergy Shot Quality data (the gray line). Indeed, for entire seasons, his per-shot production dwarfs what would be expected from the data-driven model, and features some truly massive peaks, as well.

Beyond his ability to go supernova on any given night – as when scoring 24 points on 16 shots in Monaco's Game 5 playoffs win over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv last spring – James will often carry such momentum through several rounds. 

"The spectacle of James rolling over defenses geared specifically to stopping him is surpassed only by the degree of difficulty that characterizes his game."

The spectacle of James rolling over defenses geared specifically to stopping him is surpassed only by the degree of difficulty that characterizes his game. He has been making the spectacular seem routine since he arrived in the EuroLeague during the 2014-15 campaign.

To put that in perspective, we can start with Synergy's new offensive roles – 11 unique categories derived from Synergy's logging data that define how a player tries to help his team score points. 

Even if his passing ability has long been underrated, James is the prototype for a scoring ball handler at this level. Think Keenan Evans, Scottie Wilbekin and Kevin Punter – and before them, Vassilis Spanoulis and Vasilije Micic – a group that often carries the most arduous shot-making burden in any given lineup.

Across the EuroLeague, the Synergy Shot Quality sits at 1.02 points per-attempt over the last two years. For scoring ball handlers, that average is just 0.94 points per attempt. For his career, James has had an SSQ of just 0.92 points per attempt. The extra distance he covers on his step-backs, the volume of contested attempts he faces in key moments, and the impact of the immense defensive scrutiny he confronts make his likelihood of success more difficult, even compared to the best of his peers.

Mike James hits 4,000-point milestone

But you wouldn't know that from the start of this 2023-24 campaign, which has been a microcosm of who James has been his entire career and shows why he'll have a real chance to climb to the top of the EuroLeague career scoring list in the coming years. 

Through five games, he has scored an absurd 1.21 points per shot to start the year on an SSQ of just 0.85 points per-attempt. The 33-year-old is as hot as he's ever been on paper while taking the toughest shots of his career. James is already in the highest echelon of 4,000-point scorers in his career. If he can keep this early-season virtuosity going, as he's done in the past, James will eventually be in pursuit of the title of all-time scoring king.

Selectio of social media posts during the week of Round 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

EuroLeague week on social media

**SOCCER FANS**: Stefan Jovic and Martin Hermannsson started the week by attending a Spanish League soccer game in Valencia.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CywQAE3qCpd/?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/CywQAE3qCpd/?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; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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/CywQAE3qCpd/?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 Stefan Jovic (@stefanjovic)</a></p></div></blockquote>

<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

**STARTING EARLY**: While Billy Baron is recovering from elbow surgery, his son had his first basketball milestone.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First basketball practice for the kid <a href="https://t.co/aDenZM6ENN">pic.twitter.com/aDenZM6ENN</a></p>&mdash; Billy Baron (@Billy_Baron) <a href="https://twitter.com/Billy_Baron/status/1716865079361126620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**GOOD, OLD, FRIENDS**: Marco Belinelli and Tony Parker, former NBA teammates with the San Antonio Spurs, had a chance to catch up when Virtus visited ASVEL this past week.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕃𝕖𝕘𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 ♾️<a href="https://twitter.com/marcobelinelli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marcobelinelli</a> 🤝🏼 <a href="https://twitter.com/tonyparker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tonyparker</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/TZiak7WPmN">pic.twitter.com/TZiak7WPmN</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1718167707294544319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**SUPERSTAR EXCITEMENT**: The return to the floor of Jordan Loyd this weekend in the French League action had Monaco guard Mike James excited. A backcourt of Loyd, James, Elie Okobo and Kemba Walker could get its EuroLeague premier this coming week.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/TdifcuDqd2">https://t.co/TdifcuDqd2</a> <a href="https://t.co/AeRZLucdRf">pic.twitter.com/AeRZLucdRf</a></p>&mdash; Mike James (@TheNatural_05) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05/status/1718273126746804578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**MAODO'S HOMECOMING**: Milan guard Maodo Lo was back in his hometown of Berlin and enjoyed seeing his former ALBA teammates.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Juckt uns gar nicht, ne? 🥹🥲<br> <br>Schön, <a href="https://twitter.com/maodolo12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@maodolo12</a> wiederzusehen! Gleich beginnt unser Heimspiel gegen <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlimpiaMI1936</a>. 💥 <a href="https://t.co/yOYoDZjl3J">pic.twitter.com/yOYoDZjl3J</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1717595739285557492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**ROLANDS'S FAN CLUB**: Zalgiris forward Rolands Smits has a group of devoted fans.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy6fAsENdMD/?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/Cy6fAsENdMD/?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; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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/Cy6fAsENdMD/?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 BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiriskaunas)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>


**FAN APPRECIATION**: ALBA picked up its first win of the season in Round 5 and club GM Himar Ojeda loved more than just the victory. Meanwhile, Scottie Wilbekin took time before the game in Munich for a few selfies with the Fenerbahce faithful who came to support the team.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I love everything in this video: the mixed ages of our fans, their passion, their joy, their commitment, their support…<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrustTheProcess?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrustTheProcess</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MitLeibUndSeele?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MitLeibUndSeele</a></p>&mdash; Himar Ojeda Pérez (@Himar_Ojeda) <a href="https://twitter.com/Himar_Ojeda/status/1717933848539856926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">💛💙<a href="https://twitter.com/scottiew_5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@scottiew_5</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/7UjKissAHn">pic.twitter.com/7UjKissAHn</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1717969129280315513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**BASKETBALL LIKE ART**: This gave Mario Hezonja a good laugh.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">😂☝🏻❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/facucampazzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@facucampazzo</a> <a href="https://t.co/gatSIHkGyI">https://t.co/gatSIHkGyI</a></p>&mdash; Mario Hezonja (@mariohezonja) <a href="https://twitter.com/mariohezonja/status/1717854176267669991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**WINNERS' CORNER**: Real Madrid is the only remaining undefeated team after winning the C*lasico*. Partizan also won its derby in the Serbian capital behind a great fourth-quarter performance by Aleksa Avramovic. Panathinaikos got its second win of the season behind Dinos Mitouglou and Round 5 MVP Mathias Lessort.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">⚫️⚪️⚫️⚪️</p>&mdash; James Nunnally (@allornunn21) <a href="https://twitter.com/allornunn21/status/1717648865896136932?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy32_OeMrWV/?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/Cy32_OeMrWV/?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; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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/Cy32_OeMrWV/?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 KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@partizanbc)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Da igual como se ponga el partido, lo importante es tener fe y luchar hasta final. Gran trabajo chicos suma y sigue 💪🏾✅ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/halamadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#halamadrid</a> <a href="https://t.co/D11xtsa7Nu">pic.twitter.com/D11xtsa7Nu</a></p>&mdash; Edy Tavares (@waltertavares22) <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22/status/1717670987305541960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Step by step <a href="https://t.co/cMF2WokirL">https://t.co/cMF2WokirL</a></p>&mdash; Mathias Lessort (@ThiasLsf) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThiasLsf/status/1718015845274640419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy6vX_lodIP/?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/Cy6vX_lodIP/?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; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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/Cy6vX_lodIP/?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 Dinos Mitoglou (@mitoo44)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝟒𝐭𝐡 WIN 🔥🤍🖤<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/puJQmgjFPu">pic.twitter.com/puJQmgjFPu</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1717998684317565252?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🥳👏🏽 When coach gives you one more reason to celebrate!!! <br> <br>Tomorrow is Day Off!!! 😃<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OLYEFS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OLYEFS</a> <a href="https://t.co/gujEb5QrML">pic.twitter.com/gujEb5QrML</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1717662811550044671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="eu" dir="ltr">Domingo Fonteta!! <a href="https://t.co/2biMWEcUTU">https://t.co/2biMWEcUTU</a></p>&mdash; Alex Mumbrú (@Alexmumbru15) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alexmumbru15/status/1717994305464193495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 


The Round 5 clash between Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade finished as another thriller, just like the previous two EuroLeague derbies between these clubs.

The Belgrade Derby again lived up to the billing

Belgrade Derbies simply don't disappoint.

Thursday's was the third EuroLeague edition of the Belgrade Derby and the game was another drama as well as the first victory by a home team as Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade edged Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 88-86 in a memorable way.

Partizan overcame a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit and rallied from 11 down with less than 5 minutes remaining to win the game. Partizan also survived a 28-point swing, from opening the game 17-2 to finding itself down 55-68.

"Incredible game, incredible victory", Partizan coach Zeljko Obradovic said after the game. "An incredible night that will be really difficult to forget.

"This game was all that is beautiful about basketball. So many swings in a game, good moments by both, us and Zvezda. I think everybody had a chance to see something fantastic and a quality EuroLeague game."

The Serbian stage is set for another chapter in the fiercely-contested Eternal derby. Both seek recovery from a disappointing double game-week, and history suggests a tight affair after the 22-23 meetings were decided by a single possession in favour of the visitors.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | Round 5 | Replay

Fantastic it was, which we have learned to expect when Partizan and Zvezda clash.

The two teams never met in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague before last season. Their much-anticipated first-ever battle last December at Stark Arena lived up to the billing with Nemanja Nedovic knocking down the game-winning three-pointer with 2 seconds to go, giving Zvezda a 73-76 road win.

Partizan returned the favor seven weeks later, holding on to a 78-79 win at the legendary Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, a game neither team led by more than 8 points.

After Thursday's game, each of the three Belgrade derbies has been decided by 3 points or fewer. In each one of them, the winning basket was scored in the final 6 seconds of the fourth quarter.

Apart from the drama, the energy and the atmosphere in the arenas, the outcomes of the derby can carry momentum for the next part of the season. And that's exactly what Obradovic is hoping to see.

"The win should give us confidence and help us get back to playing like we are capable of," he said.

There were several keys to Partizan's victory. The first was Obradovic's adjustment and decision to play with a small lineup, which managed to slow down Zvezda's offense. Another was the performance by Aleksa Avramovic in the final 4 minutes of the game, during which he scored 12 of his team-high 14 points.

Also, there was Partizan making 9-of-20 threes for the night and then shooting free throws down the stretch better than Zvezda. All of that helped Partizan complete its rally.

"I am really proud of my players that we managed to come back in the toughest possible moment," Obradovic stated. "Psychologically, I think this was really important for us."

His team avoided falling into a 1-4 hole, which is now the case for Zvezda, which suffered its fourth straight loss. This one was with head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos on the bench, who had a domestic league game and only three practices with the team before the derby.

"For the most part of the game we were really good," Sfairopolous said, finding positives despite a disappointing loss. "Our defense in the third quarter was excellent. We started the game really bad and we managed to come back. That is not easy against very good teams in front of their crowd. Also, the performance of Yago Dos Santos. There are positive things to build our game."

Both teams now look forward to Round 6 where Partizan will travel to face Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz while Zvezda hosts FC Bayern Munich. But before those EuroLeague challenges comes another derby. Same venue, and same hosts, but in their domestic league on Monday.

The next one in the EuroLeague is scheduled for Round 19 on January 4. Feel free to mark the date on your calendars because we have already learned how special each Belgrade Derby is.

The latest Belgrade Derby was another celebration of basketball at a packed arena and another thriller that went down to the wire between two archrivals. 

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-10-26T16:30:00.000Z)

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Johannes Voigtmann of Milan deflects the shot taken by ALBA's Justin Bean

Bayern's Serge Ibaka dunks at home against Fenerbahce

Bryant Dunston of Virtus reaches for the rebound in front of ASVEL's Youssoupha Fall

Lorenzo Brown of Maccabi dribbles around Monaco's Donatas Motiejunas

Willy Hernangomez of Barcelona dunks against Real Madrid

Aleksa Avramovic tries to strip the ball from Crvena Zvezda's Milos Teodosic

Nikola Milutinov of Olympiacos dunks in front of Efes's Tibor Pleiss

Kostas Sloukas of Panathinaikos grabs the ball in front of Baskonia's Sander Raieste

Joel Bolomboy of Crvena Zvezda dunks in front of Partizan's Alen Smailagic

Nick Calathes of Fenerbahce blocks the jump shot attempted by Bayern's Andreas Obst

Look back at all the action from Round 5 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

The Top 10 photos of the week, Round 5

Many players stand out in each round of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, whether or not their teams win. Here are some players who impressed in Round 5.

Round 5 roll call: Making a good first impression

### Harper made an impact on his return from injury

After missing three games with an injury, [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jared-harper/011970/) returned to Valencia Basket’s lineup in style by playing an important role in the side’s resounding [72-87 road win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-valencia-basket/E2023/45/#boxscore) at Zalgiris Kaunas. Harper came off the bench and scored 13 points in just under 14 minutes on the floor, finishing as the second-highest scorer on the team. What was even more important was the timing of his baskets. After scoring 5 points in the first half and helping the visitors build a 29-point third-quarter lead, Harper showed up late in the third and early in the fourth quarter. With Zalgiris finding momentum and having cut the deficit to 17 points in the final minutes of the third, Harper first drew 3 free throws and made them all, then nailed a mid-range jumper to stop Zalgiris's rally. Soon after, he opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer, giving him 8 quick points while restoring a 22-point margin and allowing Valencia to cruise the rest of the way.

Jared Harper Top Plays vs. Zalgiris Kaunas, 10/27/2023

Jared Harper top plays vs. Zalgiris Kaunas

### Mitoglou starred in the fourth quarter 

[Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) displayed just how much he means to Panathinaikos Athens on his return to the club and the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. In just his second game back, Mitoglou shined with 23 points, shared for a team high, in a [95-81 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-athens-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/44/#boxscore) over the visiting Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. The power forward had a day inside, especially in the fourth quarter when he scored 14 points, making all 5 of his two-point attempts and his lone three-point shot. Behind his play, Panathinaikos turned a close affair, a 71-66 lead, into a 13-point advantage in just 3 minutes of action, allowing his team to close out the game without much stress. Mitoglou finished the night having made 7-of-8 two-point shots, while he also connected twice on 4 attempts from downtown.

Konstantinos Mitoglou Top 9 2 Pts, 3 Pts from Panathinaikos OPAP Athens vs. Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz,10/27/2023

Dinos Mitoglou starred with 23 points vs Baskonia

### Lee led all players in assists, steals

LDLC ASVEL Villerubanne came up just short of registering its first win of the season, but in an [84-87 loss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/42/#boxscore) to the hands of Virtus Segafredo Bologna, point guard [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) was the facilitator for many good things that ASVEL did during the night. Lee had 10 assists and 4 steals, which were both more than any other player in Round 5. Lee's 10 assists were just one shy of his career high, while his 4 steals tied his personal-best mark. Lee also scored 8 points and ASVEL was +7 in the 29 minutes that the 28-year-old was on the floor, while it was -10 in the time that the third-year point guard spent resting on the bench.

Paris Lee Top Plays vs. VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA, 10/27/2023

Paris Lee s top plays vs Virtus

### Williams-Goss lifted the Reds with two new career highs

[Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/)'s 88th career game in the EuroLeague was an important one. Olympiacos Piraeus was facing the back-to-back champion from 2021 and 2022, Anadolu Efes Istanbul, a team that arrived from a double-round week sweep and who had high expectations against a team, the Reds, that were also 2-2 in the standings. Well, Williams-Goss put his fingerprints all over that game, ending up with the highest PIR among all Olympiacos players, 20. But that was not all. His high PIR came from two new career highs that normally are not as flashy as scoring: he had 7 rebounds (all defensive) and 3 steals, which propelled the Reds from the defensive end to a final [75-57 rout](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/38/#boxscore) of the Turkish team. Williams-Goss rounded off a solid performance with 14 points – yes, he scored, too – and 3 assists, which allowed his team to improve to 3-2 and sneak back into the top eight spots in the standings.

Nigel Williams-Goss achieves a couple of career highs against Efes

### Dos Santos finally exploded in the EuroLeague

 

After a sensational season in the BKT EuroCup in 2022-23, [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) took the step up to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last summer by joining Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. Undoubtedly, he was one of the most interesting signings since he was also picked by a team that underwent a major overhaul during the offseason, featuring several big-name additions. Unfortunately, Dos Santos did not have much time to prove his worth under head coach Dusko Ivanovic, as he only played a total 4 minutes in the first four rounds, which came against Virtus Segafredo Bologna. However, the dismissal of Coach Ivanovic and the appointment of Ioannis Sfairopoulos spelled good news for Dos Santos, who played more than 20 minutes in the Belgrade derby against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. Coach Sfairopoulos put him on the court after 5:45, when things looked grim for Zvezda at 17-2. Dos Santos's presence on the court allowed his team to get back into the derby, and even if he missed some shots, he got some confidence and ended up with 11 points and 5 assists. Zvezda managed to jump ahead later in the game, but it ended up falling against archrival Partizan in the final stretch. The best news for the losing side was that this could be the start of the Dos Santos explosion in the league.

Yago Dos Santos (11 points) Highlights vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet, 10/26/2023

Yago Dos Santos had 11 points and 5 assists in Belgrade derby

For two players in this roll call, they showed their new head coach what they can offer moving forward.

Gianmarco Pozzecco may have tasted defeat in his first game as LDLC ASVEL head coach, losing 84-87 to Virtus Bologna, but there were plenty of signs that the French team might be about to turn the corner in the EuroLeague.

Gianmarco Pozzecco provides LDLC ASVEL with optimism despite worst-ever start 

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has endured its worst-ever start to a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season by dropping to 0-5, yet the French side still managed to emerge from its latest loss – [at home to Virtus Segafredo Bologna on Friday night, an 84-87 thriller](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-ldlc-asvel-vs-virtus-bologna/) that went down to the last few seconds – feeling good about its prospects.

The answer to that apparent paradox is one man: [new head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ldlc-asvel-names-gianmarco-pozzecco-as-new-head-coach/).

Anyone with even a passing interest in international basketball will be fully aware of the non-stop energy transmitted by Pozzecco in charge of the Italian national team over the last 18 months. Most recently, he inspired the Azzurri to an epic victory over Serbia at last summer’s FIBA World Cup, while last year he went viral after jumping into the arms of Greece star Giannis Antetokounmpo at EuroBasket 2022.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let&#39;s make this the most viral post of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> 2022 <a href="https://t.co/HpdufxNtkP">pic.twitter.com/HpdufxNtkP</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1569032952008556544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### EuroLeague fans, welcome to Coach Pozzecco

Now, for the first time, Pozzecco is bringing his must-watch style of coaching to the EuroLeague, and Friday’s debut with ASVEL following his appointment to replace TJ Parker – despite the result – did not disappoint.

As expected, Pozzecco provided entertainment for the watching TV viewers during a timeout by urging his players to feed forward Mike Scott, because “he’s the best shooter that I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Gianmarco Pozzecco passionately encouraged his players in a timeout during LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne's game against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Pozzecco during ASVEL's timeout vs. Virtus

But the key point about Pozzecco is that there’s substance to go with his style. He is more than just a funnyman; he is a basketball man whose approach succeeds in getting the best out of his players. And that was shown by Scott, who responded to his new coach’s expression of confidence by making 5 of his 6 shots on the night, having converted less than half – 17 of 37 – in his previous four games for the club.

Scott wasn’t the only one to shine. Youssoupha Fall knocked down a season-high 16 points on 8-of-10 two-point shooting, Joffrey Lauvergne battled his way to 14 points and Paris Lee took control of the offense with a season-high 10 assists.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🗣️ Coach Poz : « Je ne veux voir personne mécontent. »<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/SiqE158wxy">pic.twitter.com/SiqE158wxy</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1718024699454566576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### ASVEL refused to give up

More importantly than those strong individual displays, however, ASVEL was able to compete as a team throughout the full 40 minutes of a game that went back and forth with 16 lead changes and neither team ahead by more than 5 points at any time. 

“We are not afraid. I want to see you play like this. I want to see all of you play like this,” stressed Coach Pozzecco during the aforementioned timeout. “We don't give a f\*ck if we lose the game, but everything has changed. They (Virtus) are afraid now.”

That change in mentality and the way the French team kept fighting was surely the most significant immediate improvement, with ASVEL previously having had an unwanted habit of regularly enduring long periods of games when nothing would go right and somehow collectively disappearing.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | Round 5 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

On Pozzecco’s debut, in contrast, the consistency shown for the duration against a confident Virtus team was a great sign for the future, even if the game ultimately resulted in a narrow loss.

The 51-year-old certainly thinks so, commenting after the game: “I’m really happy, really proud of my players. We did what we had to do and took a step forward.

“We just didn’t win the game, but we could have won and that’s the most important. I’m so happy about all my players. They played really tough, they fought. We’re on the right way.”

Friday’s performance suggested that closing statement is certainly true, allowing ASVEL to now look forward with hope rather than trepidation. And its next opponent, Zalgiris Kaunas on Thursday evening, will know that despite a 0-5 record, ASVEL will be no pushover. The first win of the Pozzecco era did not come on Friday, but it will surely come soon.

More ASVEL News

New LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco gives out instructions to his players during the team's Round 5 clash against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

His new team lost in his first change in charge, but there were plenty of positive signs for the future.

Coach Pozzecco provides ASVEL with optimism despite worst-ever start 

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-10-27T18:00:00.000Z)

Here are the leaders in the main statistical categories for Round 4 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Round 5 individual highs: Nikola Mirotic, Milan, 30 points

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

[Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan led all players in Round 5 with 30 points. Mirotic is the scoring leader with 22.5 points per game.

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

Panathinaikos Athens center and Round 5 MVP [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/)'s 14 rebounds were the most this round, and also matched the league high this season. [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz leads all rebounders at 8.8 per night.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne point guard [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) had 10 assists, more than any other player in Round 5. [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) of Real Madrid is the assists leader with 8.2 per contest.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

Lee was also the only player this week with 4 steals. Lee and [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/) of Valencia Basket are tied atop the steals charts with 2.0 per game.

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna big man [Jordan Mickey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-mickey/008847/) had 4 blocks, the most in Round 5. [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) of FC Bayern Munich leads all shot-blockers with 2.3 per game.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

Lessort (23 points, 14 rebounds), Mirotic (30 points, 12 rebounds) and FC Barcelona's [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) (12 points, 10 rebounds) are the three players who recorded a double-double in Round 5.

Here are the leaders in the main statistical categories for Round 5 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. 