For Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players, there is nothing like reaching your first Final Four. Tarik Black of Olympiacos Piraeus talks about that accomplishment, what got him and his team there, and how much he is looking forward to the 2023 Final Four in Kaunas, Lithuania.

 First-time feelings: Tarik Black, Olympiacos 

For Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players, there is nothing like reaching your first Final Four. [Tarik Black](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tarik-black/008991/) of Olympiacos Piraeus talks about that accomplishment, what got him and his team there, and how much he is looking forward to the 2023 Final Four in Kaunas, Lithuania.

First-time feelings: Tarik Black, Olympiacos

 Final Four + Kaunas = Hoops Heaven 

The best weekend in world basketball comes to the country where the sport is known as a second religion when the [Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/final-four/) lands in Kaunas, Lithuania, from May 18 to 21. The most intense and competitive season imaginable will reach a crescendo over four action-packed days with a city devoted to basketball throwing a party for global visitors and a worldwide audience. The fun in the streets will only be matched by the passion inside the gleaming Zalgirio Arena. For basketball lovers, it will be nothing short of hoops heaven.

Final Four + Kaunas = Hoops Heaven

 Final Four + Kaunas = Hoops Heaven!

**EVERYONE WATCHING**: All eyes were on Game 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, with several players watching and analyzing.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This set was so fire 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/fitRfIzNUs">pic.twitter.com/fitRfIzNUs</a></p>&mdash; Elijah Bryant OC©️ (@Elijah_Bryant3) <a href="https://twitter.com/Elijah_Bryant3/status/1656241856668213248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 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">You too? Say Dat!!! <a href="https://t.co/8HPm2qmGie">https://t.co/8HPm2qmGie</a></p>&mdash; Will Clyburn (@Da_Thrill21) <a href="https://twitter.com/Da_Thrill21/status/1656026752492158992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 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">Congratulations to Olympiacos on making it to another final four.</p>&mdash; Othello hunter (@O_hunter5) <a href="https://twitter.com/O_hunter5/status/1656035980606881794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 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">Baldwin vs James matchup right now 🔥🔥🔥🔥</p>&mdash; Dad (@JaleenSmith0) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaleenSmith0/status/1656370610337902599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 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">Congrats on the F4 <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> Bigtime! 🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a></p>&mdash; Brandon Davies (@Brandon_Davies0) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brandon_Davies0/status/1656393343440498688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**RESPECTING THE OPPOSITION**: After tough Game 5 victories, many winning players took to social media to congratulate the opposing teams.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsGRvxio7JR/?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/CsGRvxio7JR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats to Maccabi on a great season. Also a great series. High level basketball played. Respect</p>&mdash; Mike James (@TheNatural_05) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05/status/1656418650339917824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 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">Nah for real unreal series and them boys was hooping for 5 straight games. Respect to all my guys over there. 💯 <a href="https://t.co/zSHDdBhhQe">https://t.co/zSHDdBhhQe</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1656410157767618560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 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">💯💯💯 my god <a href="https://t.co/emXQw7m6cy">https://t.co/emXQw7m6cy</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1656451073228394496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 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">Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PartizanBC</a>, their entire organization and fans on a great season and wish them the best in the future! Historic series. Respect.</p>&mdash; Mario Hezonja (@mariohezonja) <a href="https://twitter.com/mariohezonja/status/1656659160736604161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**A PROMISE**: After his team's Game 5 exit, Wade Baldwin made a promise to Maccabi fans.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gave everything I had. This Euroleague season and series was the most fun I’ve had in my career. Congrats to Monaco for a competitive series and advancing. Extremely proud to wear the Maccabi brand on my chest. I will deliver a Final Four in a Maccabi uniform. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FEAR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FEAR</a></p>&mdash; Wade Baldwin IV (@The_Fourth_Wade) <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Fourth_Wade/status/1656676465813995520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**UNWAVERING SUPPORT**: Despite a heartbreaking loss in Madrid, Partizan fans welcomed the team at the Belgrade airport in the early morning hours.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">LJUBAV PREMA KLUBU, NE MOŽE DA PRESTANE!<br><br>HVALA GROBARI!🙌🏽🖤🤍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/QRL3AXmdTl">pic.twitter.com/QRL3AXmdTl</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1656513507301498881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**WISH GRANTED**: Last summer, Monaco head coach Sasa Obradovic visited Kremna, a village in Serbia where one can write down a wish. His was…making it to the Final Four.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pre godinu dana poželeh kod Tarabića final 4, papir je u levim rašljama od kamena … da mi nađje neko 🙏 <a href="https://t.co/5KuOU5Z5b2">pic.twitter.com/5KuOU5Z5b2</a></p>&mdash; Saša Obradovic (@sasaobradovic69) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaobradovic69/status/1656598278509568001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**FINAL FOUR BOUND**: Olympiacos, Monaco and Real protected their respective home courts in Game 5, and are heading to Kaunas.

Game 5 on social media

Euroleague Basketball has chosen eight of its finest referees from the 2022-23 season to officiate the games of the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Kaunas, Lithuania. The referees are Mehdi Difallah, Tomislav Hordov, Olegs Latisevs, Emin Mogulkoc, Anne Panther, Sasa Pukl, Boris Ryzhyk and Gytis Vilius.

The list includes many of the most seasoned referees on the continent as seven of the eight have previous Final Four experience. Difallah, Hordov, Latisevs, Ryzhyk and Vilius were also chosen for the 2022 Final Four. Ryzhyk and Vilius refereed last season's championship game and Pukl, Latisevs and Vilius staffed the championship game the year before.

"I am pleased for these referees who have shown a high standard of work across the whole season," said Richard Stokes, Euroleague Basketball Senior Director, Officiating. "The Final Four is the culmination and reward for a long season for the fans, players and coaches, but also for the referees who have shown excellence and consistency in their craft. To be selected is an honor for these officials, but with this opportunity comes great responsibility to perform at the highest level for two more days."

The Final Four will be the 11th for both Latisevs and Ryzhyk. Pukl will take part in his sixth Final Four, Difallah will work his fourth, Vilius his third and both Hordov and Panther their second. Mogulkoc will make his Final Four debut.

The 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four will take place at Zalgirio Arena in Kaunas, Lithuania. The semifinals will be on Friday, May 19, and the third-place and championship games will be two days later.

Euroleague Basketball appoints Final Four referees

Yam Madar is the 2022-23 EuroLeague Rising Star winner

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard Yam Madar has capped off his debut season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by being named the 2022-23 EuroLeague Rising Star. The 22-year-old is the first Israeli to secure the prize and the third player for Partizan to do so, following Novica Velickovic (2008-09) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (2013-14).

Voted on by EuroLeague head coaches, the Rising Star Trophy recognizes the best player each season who was younger than 22 on July 1 of the previous summer. Madar, who turned 22 in December, faced strong competition for the Rising Star award this year, particularly from 2021-22 winner Rokas Jokubaitis of FC Barcelona. Yet, he has been rewarded for the role he played in helping Partizan finish the regular season in sixth place and for his impact in the postseason against Real Madrid. Madar played an important role as Partizan, back in the EuroLeague after a nine-season absence, not only reached the playoffs, but took Real to a Game 5 in Madrid.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard Yam Madar has capped off his debut season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by being named the 2022-23 EuroLeague Rising Star. The 22-year-old is the first Israeli to secure the prize and the third player for Partizan to do so, following Novica Velickovic (2008-09) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (2013-14).

2022-23 EuroLeague Rising Star: Yam Madar, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Madar is the fourth player to be named the Rising Star in his first full EuroLeague season, joining Rudy Fernandez (2006-07), Danilo Gallinari (2007-08) and Goga Bitadze (2018-19). Madar led all Rising Star eligible players this season in points, both with his overall total of 221 and also his average of 5.8 points per game. The guard reached double figures for points 10 times during the regular season, scoring a season-high 15 points on two occasions. He went for 12 points and a season-high 6 rebounds in Game 3 of the playoffs.

From both two-point and three-point territory, Madar showed what he can do on the biggest stage in European basketball, knocking down 57 shots inside the arc and 24 triples, more than any other eligible player for the Rising Star prize. He also led the way among eligible candidates with 23 steals, of which 3 came during Partizan's five-game series against Real.

In addition to his scoring and his steals, Madar also averaged 4.7 assists per 40 minutes, the joint most of any Partizan player and the second-highest among eligible players. Madar's total of 60 assists across his 38 games included 12 in the playoffs; his highest number of assists in one game was the 5 he dished against ALBA Berlin in Round 26.

Madar, who began his career with Hapoel Tel Aviv in his native Israel, joined Partizan in the summer of 2021 and has since learned under the tutelage of nine-time EuroLeague champion Zeljko Obradovic. After getting his first taste of high-level European basketball during Partizan's 7DAYS EuroCup campaign in 2021-22, in which he averaged 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 17 appearances, he handled the step up to the EuroLeague with aplomb, which has resulted in him securing the 2023 Rising Star honor.

The first-ever Rising Star award went to Erazem Lorbek of Climamio Bologna in 2005. He was followed by Andrea Bargnani of Benetton Treviso in 2006; Fernandez of Joventut Badalona in 2007; Danilo Gallinari of Armani Jeans Milano in 2008; Velickovic of Partizan in 2009; Ricky Rubio of Barcelona in 2010; Nikola Mirotic of Real Madrid in 2011 and 2012; Kostas Papanikolaou of Olympiacos Piraeus in 2013; Bogdanovic of Partizan in 2014 and again with Fenerbahce Istanbul in 2015; Alex Abrines of Barca in 2016; Luka Doncic of Real in 2017 and 2018; Bitadze of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in 2019; Usman Garuba of Real in 2021; and Jokubaitis of Barca in 2022.

The Lotus watch brand has been named the Official Timekeeper of the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. Lotus watches are part of the renowned Festina Group, which is headquartered in Barcelona and has more than three decades of history in manufacturing watches that appeal to a wide range of consumers. 

Lotus watches are known for their contemporary urban and trendy styles, which are befitting of EuroLeague athletes. Just as the EuroLeague stands out on the sporting scene, so too will young consumers seeking a timepiece that marries innovative technology, quality materials and cutting edge design.

As part of its sponsorship agreement with Euroleague Basketball, Lotus will sponsor the shot clocks at the Final Four and award a specially crafted watch to the Final Four MVP. 

Lotus is the Official Timekeeper of the Final Four

[Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) has cemented his place in history among the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's scoring greats by capturing the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy for the 2022-23 season. The Olympiacos Piraeus forward averaged 17.24 points over 38 games this season in leading the Reds to the Final Four. 

The Ford Trophy is the only post-season award based solely on statistics and Vezenkov made it his with ease by topping the scoring charts for nearly the entire season. Vezenkov edged Wade Baldwin for the award in one of the closest races in the history of the Forst Trophy. The Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv guard finished second with 17.17 points per game. Will Clyburn of Anadolu Efes Istanbul was third with 16.7 points per game. 

Sasha Vezenkov has cemented his place in history among the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's scoring greats by capturing the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy for the 2022-23 season. The Olympiacos Piraeus forward averaged 17.24 points over 38 games this season in leading the Reds to the Final Four.

2022-23 Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy: Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos Piraeus

Vezenkov scored at least 20 points in each of his first four games and a total of 15 times in 33 regular-season appearances. His season-high came in Round 24 when he torched ALBA Berlin for 28 points and added 13 rebounds for one of his eight double-doubles. Vezenkov was astonishingly consistent, too; he scored in double figures in all but five of his 38 games this season and sank multiple three-pointers in more than two-thirds of his games.

This season's point tally was a career high for Vezenkov, who ranked 13th in scoring the season before, with 13.7 points per game. He also led the league in average performance index rating (21.2) and finished second in rebounds (6.8).

Vezenkov is the second Olympiacos player to win the Ford Trophy and, curiously, plays the same position as the first, Linas Kleiza, the 2009-10 winner. The award is named after one of the club's greatest stars. Alphonso Ford died of leukemia in September 2004 after a brilliant career in which he was the competition's leading scorer twice, in 2000-01 and 2001-02, both seasons with Olympiacos. He subsequently led Montepaschi Siena in scoring as it reached the 2003 Final Four. Ford owns the EuroLeague's all-time best scoring average with 22.2 points in 54 career games. 

Vezenkov becomes the 14th winner of the Ford Trophy since it was first awarded in 2005. Three players have won multiple Ford Trophies. They are Igor Rakocevic, who earned it with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2007 and 2009 and with Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2011; Keith Langford, who won with Olimpia Milan in 2014 and UNICS Kazan in 2017; and Alexey Shved with Khimki Moscow Region in 2018 and 2021.

The other Ford Trophy winners are Vasilije Micic last season with Efes; Mike James with Milan in 2019; Nando De Colo with CSKA Moscow (2016); Taylor Rochestie with Nizhny Novgorod (2015); Bobby Brown (2013) and Bo McCalebb (2012), both with Montepaschi Siena; Kleiza (2010); Marc Salyers with Chorale Roanne (2008); Drew Nicholas with Benetton Treviso (2006); and Charles Smith with Scavolini Pesaro in the award's original season, 2005.

Sasha Vezenkov captures the 2022-23 Ford Top Scorer Trophy

Look back at all the action from Game 5 of the playoffs by checking out the best photos of the week!

 The Top 10 photos of the week, Playoffs Game 5

Real’s old masters inspired record comeback

Real Madrid made history in Wednesday night’s sensational Game 5 playoffs battle with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. In fact, it made history twice…once for all the wrong reasons, and once again for all the right reasons.

In the first half, Real had few defensive answers for Partizan’s relentless attack and went into the interval facing a 39-55 deficit. That set a new unwanted record for the most points ever allowed by Real in any half of a playoff game, while Partizan conversely enjoyed its own club record for the most points it had scored over 20 minutes in the playoffs.

The deficit grew larger after the break, reaching a maximum of 18 points as Partizan led 41-59 with just under 18 minutes to play. Things then slowly started to change, as Dzanan Musa, Mario Hezonja and Adam Hanga led a 9-1 run to get their fans in a frenetic Wizink Center hoping again. But Partizan responded, with Kevin Punter, Dante Exum and Zach LeDay all sinking triples, and the margin was still 15 points (60-75) towards the end of the third quarter.

Real Madrid's old guard starred in Game 5 comeback

Real Madrid s old guard starred in Game 5 comeback

For Real, there was one remaining hope: it was time for the old guard to take over. Enter Sergio Rodriguez, Sergio Llull and Rudy Fernandez, with a combined age of 109 and a combined total of 1,066 EuroLeague appearances.

El Chacho, the mercurial playmaker Rodriguez, was the chief orchestrator. Coming off the bench with just 3 points to his name, he dished an assist to Musa, made a steal and struck a three-pointer to help pull his team closer before the end of the third period. And in the fourth, he was just unstoppable: a layup, a defensive rebound, a three-pointer, an offensive rebound, a couple of fouls drawn, another three-pointer, another layup…and that was in just 2 and a half minutes. He kept on going – scoring, distributing, controlling the tempo, exuding a sense of complete control and making everyone on both benches believe that Real was going to win the game. As it duly did.

Rodriguez finished the game with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and – crucially, emphasizing his control – 0 turnovers for a PIR of 26, and a game-high plus/minus of +16. But he wasn’t alone, because his old comrades Llull and Fernandez were right by his side throughout the fourth quarter. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A la Final Four!! 🏀💪🏽<br>Old school rules! 😂💪🏽 <a href=https://t.co/itdUGFxEjS>pic.twitter.com/itdUGFxEjS</a></p>&mdash; Sergio Llull (@23Llull) <a href=https://twitter.com/23Llull/status/1656418122205732866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>May 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script>

Llull scored 8 points including a trademark ‘mandarina’ three-pointer to make it 95-87 with less than 3 minutes remaining, a moment which raised the roof and visibly reduced Partizan’s morale to rubble. And although Fernandez did not score a point and only took one shot, his endless energy and hustle – at the age of 38! – epitomized the team’s never-say-die attitude, most spectacularly when he made a diving save that allowed Rodriguez to score a three-pointer in transition and get the fans on their feet towards the end of the third quarter.

“These players gave us a lesson of courage and fight of how to overcome adversity and how to come back from a 0-2 with two wins in Belgrade and winning Game 5 here, making history,” Coach Chus Mateo said speaking of his entire team, but of course those words refer to the veteran trio as much as to any player. 

In the end, that 41-59 deficit was turned into a 98-94 victory, giving Real the biggest comeback in its playoff history and the third-highest achieved by any club. One record (most points allowed) had been turned into another (biggest playoffs comeback), and the most Blancos of Blancos, the old three amigos, the classic trio, the timeless icons, Rodriguez, Llull and Fernandez, had once again been the inspiration.

Real Madrid's old masters inspired record comeback

Real Madrid v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-05-10T19:00:00.000Z)