Roll Call

Round 11 comes to a close tonight, with eight games on tap after Trento and Valencia won on Tuesday night.

Game Center: Round 11

## Wednesday, December 11

### [Turk Telekom Ankara 87-77 Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/turk-telekom-ankara-aris-midea-thessaloniki/U2024/107/)

Turk Telekom took an important step towards qualifying for the eighthfinals by topping Aris in the Turkish capital on Wednesday. Turk Telekom improved to 6-5 in Group B and now has a 2-0 record against Aris, which dropped to 2-9. Ismet Akpinar led the winners with 19 points and Anthony Brown added 18. Sharife Cooper paced Aris with 20 points.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Evimizde galibiyet bizim 💪🏻<br><br>Maç sonucu: Türk Telekom 87- 77 Aris Midea Thessaloniki<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnkaraBasketbolu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnkaraBasketbolu</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kaizen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kaizen</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreHereForAReason?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreHereForAReason</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/tYJ8Y1xKXF">pic.twitter.com/tYJ8Y1xKXF</a></p>&mdash; Türk Telekom Basketbol (@TT_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Basketbol/status/1866916563267490289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius 104-100 Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2024/104/)

Wolves tightened up the Group A playoff picture by coming back to beat Hapoel. Both teams are now tied at 6-5, with Hapoel narrowly claiming the head-to-head advantage after winning by 5 earlier in the season. A 12-0 run at the start of the fourth gave Wolves the lead for good. Anthony Cowan was the hero with a double-double of 28 points and 10 assists, while Andrew Andrews and Tre’Shawn Thurman combined for 9 triples as they totaled 20 and 23 respectively. Yam Madar powered Hapoel with 28 points and 7 assists.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back at home, back in the win column! ✊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreWolves?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreWolves</a> <a href="https://t.co/6cGK7LOkWb">pic.twitter.com/6cGK7LOkWb</a></p>&mdash; BC WOLVES (@wolves_bc) <a href="https://twitter.com/wolves_bc/status/1866920900379177147?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [U-BT Cluj-Napoca 89-86 Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/u-bt-cluj-napoca-cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2024/109/)

Cluj battled to pull out a dramatic win over visiting Bourg. This marks the fourth consecutive home win for Cluj, which improved to 6-5 in Group B, the same record as Bourg. However, Bourg has a tiebreaker advantage thanks to its 11-point win between the sides in Round 2. Zavier Simpson starred with 27 points and 11 assists and De'Shawn Stephens stepped up with 17 points in a winning effort. Xavier Castaneda led Bourg with 17 points and 8 assists.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cluj with the impressive win at home!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/blcZCT549E">pic.twitter.com/blcZCT549E</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1866921443000303952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul 89-82 Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul-bahcesehir-college-istanbul/U2024/103/)

Besiktas held on for a hard-earned home win over Bahcesehir in Group A, prevailing in a thrilling city derby on the back of a strong first-half performance. Besiktas improved to 7-4 after its fourth win in the last five games, having also snapped Bahcesehir’s seven-game winning streak as the visitors, who top the group, dropped to 9-2. Conor Morgan paced Besiktas with 17 points and 7 boards and Kyle Allman scored 16 points for the hosts. At the other end, Tai Odiase poured a game-high 20 points to go with 8 boards in defeat. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Akatlar’da galibiyet bizim! 💪<br><br>Beşiktaş Fibabanka 89-82 Bahçeşehir Koleji | Maç Sonucu<br><br>🦅 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Be%C5%9Fikta%C5%9FFibabanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeşiktaşFibabanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Potan%C4%B1nKartallar%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PotanınKartalları</a> <a href="https://t.co/QJqlmwsztJ">pic.twitter.com/QJqlmwsztJ</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş Fibabanka (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/1866937445607936318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem 87-93 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2024/106/)

Lietkabelis earned a well-deserved road win at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria by downing second-placed Jerusalem. Jerusalem slipped to 7-4, while Lietkabelis improved to 3-7 to stay alive in the playoff race. Martinas Rubstavicius led the winners with 19 points in 22 minutes and Oleksandr Kovliar followed with career-high 18 points plus 6 assists. Jerusalem's Jared Harper was the game's top scorer with 24 points.

### [Umana Reyer Venice 75-80 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/umana-reyer-venice-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2024/108/)

Cedevita took a crucial step towards reaching the playoffs from Group A by downing Reyer on the road on Wednesday. Cedevita improved to 7-4 in the standings and has a 2-0 record against Reyer, which dropped to 5-6. Brynton Lemar led the winners with 23 points and Andrija Stipanovic added 10 for Cedevita. Jordan Parks and Mfiondu Kabengele led Reyer with 20 points apiece. Parks added 10 rebounds for a double-double.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DRAGONS WIN! Big W in Venice!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DragonFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DragonFamily</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKTEuroCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BKTEuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/63yKr5v3xS">pic.twitter.com/63yKr5v3xS</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1866950530523926683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Joventut Badalona 88-102 ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/joventut-badalona-ratiopharm-ulm/U2024/105/)

Ulm remained in the running for third place in Group A as it swept the season series against Joventut. Ulm collected its third straight win since the national team break after having lost four of the previous five games for a 7-4 record. Ben Saraf led the way with 18 points and Justinian Jessup had 16 points and 4 three-pointers. Joventut’s nightmare season continued with a third straight defeat and seventh in the last eight games for a 3-8 record - three wins away from the playoff ranks. Kassius Robertson paced Joventut with a career-high 23 points.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Starkes erstes Viertel sichert Auswärtssieg 🔥<br><br>Am Samstag geht es zuhause mit dem Bundesliga-Topspiel gegen Heidelberg weiter 👉 Jetzt die letzten Stehplätze sichern unter <a href="https://t.co/ddyd2TdQB8">https://t.co/ddyd2TdQB8</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/uuulmer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#uuulmer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/weareone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#weareone</a> | 📷 Joventut Badalona <a href="https://t.co/rswYJgRCev">pic.twitter.com/rswYJgRCev</a></p>&mdash; ratiopharm ulm (@ratiopharmulm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ratiopharmulm/status/1866961246316118276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Dreamland Gran Canaria 82-71 Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/dreamland-gran-canaria-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2024/102/)

Gran Canaria extended its winning streak to four games by beating Buducnost at Gran Canaria Arena on Wednesday. The hosts led from start to finish and improved their record to 9-2, moving top of Group A along with Bahcesehir College Istanbul. Buducnost recorded its second consecutive loss to drop to 4-7. John Shurna led all scorers with 18 points and Pierre Pelos netted 14. For Buducnost, Yogi Ferrell had 16 points and Fletcher Magee recorded 14. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">🏀 Final:<br><br>🐥 Dreamland Gran Canaria 82<br>🔵 Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 71<br><br>🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosGranca?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VamosGranca</a> <a href="https://t.co/RGYUOVoRmE">pic.twitter.com/RGYUOVoRmE</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1866965530613096719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

## Tuesday, December 10

### [Trefl Sopot 70-82 Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/trefl-sopot-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2024/101/)

Trento celebrated its first road win this season by defeating Trefl in Round 11 at Ergo Arena on Tuesday night. The visitors led by double digits for large parts of the game and outscored Trefl in each of the first three quarters. With this victory, Trento improved its record to 4-7, keeping its playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, Trefl has yet to register a win this season. Jordan Ford led all scorers with 19 points in a winning effort. Marcus Weathers paced Trefl with a double-double of 14 points and 12 assists. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The first road W of the season for <a href="https://twitter.com/AquilaBasketTN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AquilaBasketTN</a>!✅<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/Xqv5QtLmbw">pic.twitter.com/Xqv5QtLmbw</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1866571675980202484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Veolia Towers Hamburg 78-86 Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/veolia-towers-hamburg-valencia-basket/U2024/110/)

Valencia was challenged more than it expected but grabbed another victory, beating Hamburg on the road to remain undefeated in Group B. Valencia laid the foundation for the win with a 2-21 surge in the third quarter to improve to 10-0. Josep Puerto hit 4 three-pointers in scoring a career-high 17 points to lead the Spanish side while Chris Jones added 12 points and 4 rebounds. Hamburg saw its modest two-game home winning streak snapped to fall to 2-9 at the bottom of the group. Recent addition Johnathan Stove was Hamburg’s leading scorer with 17 points.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">VAMOOOOOOOOOOOS 🔥<br><br>¡Sumamos la victoria en Hamburgo! 💪<br><br>⚪ <a href="https://twitter.com/hamburgtowers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hamburgtowers</a> 78<br>🟠 <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> 86<br><br>🏆 J11 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a><br>🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/CocaColaEP_es?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CocaColaEP_es</a><br><br>Primer partido de 3️⃣ esta semana. El viernes, partidazo contigo, Fonteta 🧡 <a href="https://t.co/B6TAjbxw0R">pic.twitter.com/B6TAjbxw0R</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1866583541611475452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Trento and Valencia both won on the road on Tuesday night

Game Center: Key road wins for Cedevita, Lietkabelis, Ulm among Wednesday's 8 games

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2024-12-11T20:00:00.000Z)

Joventut Badalona v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-12-11T19:30:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-12-11T19:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2024-12-11T18:30:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2024-12-11T17:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2024-12-11T16:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Valencia Basket (2024-12-10T18:30:00.000Z)

Trefl Sopot v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2024-12-10T18:00:00.000Z)

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-12-11T16:30:00.000Z)

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2024-12-11T18:00:00.000Z)

Superb first-half defensive outing paved the way for Gran Canaria

The first 20 minutes of its clash away at [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/roster/can/?season=2024-25) on Wednesday night were enough for [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/?season=2024-25) to find out why the hosts are considered one of the best defenses in the BKT EuroCup. Gran Canaria came into Wednesday’s duel as the second-stingiest defense in the 2024-25 campaign with just 73.3 points conceded per game and effectively used its finest quality to send a resounding message to the visitors.

Buducnost may have averaged a league sixth-best 85.5 points scored per game in the first 10 rounds, but the Spanish side started strong and held its rival to just 9 in the first quarter. The visitors slightly improved on offense in the second, but Gran Canaria secured a 43-25 cushion at the break.

“Our start of the game, and especially the first half, was very good,” Gran Canaria head coach [Jaka Lakovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/lakovic-jaka/?season=U2024) said in the post-game press conference. “We came out with great energy, with great effort and this effort gave us confidence offensively.”

Game Videos

Buducnost’s first half was its lowest-scoring first 20 minutes this season, with forward [Juwan Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/juwan-morgan/013256/) being blunt regarding his team’s performance before the break.

“We’re down 20 points,” he said in the halftime interview. “They play more aggressive than us. They get offensive rebounds. They’re making us look like little kids out here.”

Gran Canaria shared the ball well, registering 12 first-half assists – just 3 fewer than Buducnost’s tally after 40 minutes. The hosts had shot well (6 for 23; 46.2%) from beyond the arc, but more importantly, they missed just 4 of their 16 attempts from inside. Gran Canaria also outrebounded a helpless Buducnost 19-14 in what was a dominant first-half outing that paved a way for its fourth straight victory despite Buducnost’s late attempt to bounce back.

Having climbed top of the Group A standings alongside Bahcesehir College Istanbul (9-2), Gran Canaria will look to overtake the Turkish side as the two teams face each other in a highly-anticipated duel next week. And what better way to send a message to their fellow top-seed contender than producing a similar, emphatic start to the duel at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall. 

Game News

The hosts held Buducnost to just 25 points before the halftime break

ratiopharm Ulm’s offense was purring in Round 11 as Ty Harrelson’s team poured in a season-high 102 points thanks to unusually strong inside scoring.

Ulm offense shines with passing, sharing the load

ratiopharm Ulm’s offense was purring in [Round 11](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/?round=11&season=U2024) as [Coach Ty Harrelson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/ulm/harrelson-ty/?season=U2024)’s team poured in a season-high 102 points thanks to unusually strong inside scoring.

Ulm grabbed its third straight victory by [winning 88-102](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/joventut-badalona-ratiopharm-ulm/U2024/105/) at Joventut Badalona and has a 7-4 record - even with Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul in third place and [three wins ahead](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/standings/) of the first team outside the playoff zone.

"It’s an important win for us. We want to be in the playoffs and it’s another step in that direction," said Ulm’s talented young point guard [Ben Saraf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ben-saraf/011437/), who scored a career-high 18 points to go with 2 rebounds and 3 assists. "We executed what coach told us to do. We played aggressive and controlled the rebounds - that’s what gave us the W."

Saraf was one of seven players to score at least 8 points for Ulm, which came into the game averaging 85.0 points per game.

"The strength of our team is all 12 guys playing together and sharing the basketball, playing unselfishly but then also being able to make the one-on-one plays," said Harrelson.

Ulm shot 62.9% on two-pointers - a drastic improvement on its 50.7% clip entering the game as the second-worst team in that category. Ulm also drained 11 of 22 three-pointers - which was not unexpected as the German side ranked fifth in three-point shooting at 36.6% entering the game.

Ulm did not exactly shine on defense though, but the relatively inexperienced team has been struggling with that all season - ranking last in 90.0 points per game allowed and 60.0% on two-pointers. And Joventut made 66.7% of its close range attempts.

The main thing for Harrelson is the team grabbed a road victory.

"Any time we can go on the road in the EuroCup and steal a win I think it’s very important for us. As we gain more experience and get more time together I feel like the team is playing better each week," said the American, whose team is now 4-3 away from home this season.

Summary Ulm scored a season-high 102 points and is in a strong spot to make playoffs

Ulm's offense shined with passing, sharing the load

Five BKT EuroCup games for Brynton Lemar, five wins!


Lemar steps up to stay undefeated

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2024-25) remains undefeated in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup. There is someone else, however, who hasn't lost until now.

[Brynton Lemar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brynton-lemar/013261/) had another strong performance to lead [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/roster/lju/?season=2024-25) to [a 75-80 road victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-gets-pivotal-win-in-venice-75-80/) over [Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/roster/vnc/?season=2024-25). With this win, Lemar registered his fifth victory in as many games.

Lemar helped Cedevita win its first two games, on the road against [U-BT Cluj-Napoca, 86-93](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-olimpija-rallies-to-stun-cluj-in-a-thriller/), and at home [against Reyer, 87-82](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2425-rs2-report-lju-vnc/). After missing six games due to injury, Lemar returned in Round 9. He led Cedevita to a [95-68 home win over Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-olimpija-coasts-to-95-68-win-against-hamburg/) with 11 points, 3 assists and 5 fouls drawn. Lemar did much better in [Round 10 against Cluj](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-olimpija-wins-shootout-with-cluj-at-home-103-96/), getting 23 points on 10 of 10 free throws, 4 rebounds and a PIR of 24 in a 103-96 home win.

In his second game against Reyer, Lemar showed again his best version, hitting one clutch shot after the next in the fourth quarter to make sure his team grabbed a pivotal road victory.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana guard Brynton Lemar had 23 points on 6 of 9 two-pointers, 3 of 3 three-pointers and 2 of 2 free throws, adding 3 rebounds, 2 steals and a career-high PIR of 27 in his team's 75-80 road win over Umana Reyer Venice.

Lemar leads Cedevita past Reyer

After a 10-0 Reyer run that gave the hosts their last lead, 47-46, Lemar stepped up with a backdoor layup and a fadeaway jumper in an 1-8 run that put Cedevita ahead for good, 47-54. Once in the fourth quarter, Lemar buried a couple of jumpers and added a three-pointer to make sure his team stayed in the driver's seat until the final buzzer.

Lemar finished the game with 23 points on 6-of-9 two-point shooting, 3-of-3 on three-pointers and 2-of-2 on free throws, plus 3 rebounds and 2 steals for a career-high PIR of 27. In his five victories with Cedevita, Lemar has averaged 16.8 points on 13 of 28 three-pointers (46.4% 3FG) and 23 of 26 free throws (88.5% FT) for a PIR of 18.6.

"It was a team effort. We fought, stuck to the game plan and came out with the W," Lemar said after game. "This is very important. Every game is important but this one is special because we are fighting for playoffs and fighting to win a championship, so every win is important. I am proud of my team, it was great."

Cedevita is 9-4 and has a 2-0 record against Cluj and Reyer, two of its direct rivals in the playoff race. Its next game is at Stozice Arena against the first team that handed Cedevita a loss this season, Turk Telekom Ankara, which also comes off an important victory. Tune in on Wednesday at 18:30 CET.

In five BKT EuroCup games for Brynton Lemar, his club has ... five wins!


Cedevita's Brynton Lemar stepped up to stay undefeated

Lietkabelis ended up sealing the outcome in the last 3 minutes of the game, outscoring its opponent 4-10 when the score was tied, 83-83.

Timely rebounding allowed Lietkabelis to finally smile on the road

[7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/lietkabelis-panevezys/roster/lkb/?season=2024-25) ended a three-game losing streak when it defeated [Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem/roster/jer/) at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria on Wednesday night. The Lithuanians could finally enjoy a road victory after having lost to [U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cluj-holds-off-lietkabeliss-comeback-100-93/) (100-93), [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2425-rs4-report-lju-lkb/) (76-72) and [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2425-rs1-report-ttk-lkb/) (72-66).

In Lietkebelis's last three losses, it had performed pretty well on offense, scoring 93 points each time but falling short in the end. This time, Lietkabelis didn’t repeat the same mistake and ended up sealing the outcome in the last 3 minutes of the game, outscoring its opponent 4-10 when the score was tied, 83-83.

“\[It was a\] very important win for us. Finally, we managed to convert the good game into a victory, what we didn't do in the last two games in Europe,” celebrated Lietkabelis head coach [Nenad Canak](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/lkb/canak-nenad/).

“We controlled the game. We didn't panic in some moments when Hapoel tried to change some defensive systems”, he continued. “And we controlled the rebound at the end, and it was very important for us that we just took 18 points in the last quarter, as we had many problems in previous games in the last quarters."

Rebounding, as Canak stressed, was a key factor in deciding the game, but not in the usual way. It was not because of a massive difference in the number of rebounds, as the visitors were slightly better, with 31 rebounds against Jerusalem's 27, and it was not either about the second-chance points difference, because Jerusalem even led that category with 13 against 10.

It was not about how many; it was all about when.

“We played bad, we didn't take the rebounds. You cannot win without rebounds... They had five more possessions in the last 2 minutes. So, they won,” Jerusalem head coach [Yonatan Alon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem/jer/alon-yonatan/?season=U2024) pointed out in the press conference. “We cannot turn the ball over so many times, and second, we need to play better defense. It’s not what we are. We need to go back to the fundamentals.”

That analysis can be summarized with the key plays that ended up deciding the game when the game was on the line. First, when the score was 81-81, two consecutive offensive rebounds by [Marko Percarski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-pecarski/005656/) and [Gabrielius Maldunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/gabrielius-maldunas/010461/) allowed [Martynas Varnas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/martynas-varnas/005521/) to push his team ahead 81-83. Then, and few seconds later, [Mantas Rubstavicius ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mantas-rubstavicius/009299/)buried 3 consecutive free throws to start the final run, which continued with an off-the-steal basket by Maldunas and finished with a layup by [Oleksandr Kovliar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/oleksandr-kovliar/013247/) after - again - two consecutive offensive rebounds by Maldunas and Pecarski.

“It's an amazing team victory,” Maldunas celebrated. “Finally, we won on the road. If we play like this, we are a very good team. We played two good games in EuroCup before this one, but we came up short and lost by a couple of points, but now we finally came through”.

This win gave Lietkabelis a much clearer and cleaner vision of the upcoming challenges, returning its hopes of reaching the postseason.

“Of course, we're still alive,” Canak assured. “We are still alive and when you are alive in a competition, it's easier to practice, easier to accept new things. So, it's very important for us.”

The Lithuanians made the most from Jerusalem's mistakes in the last minutes

Dreamland Gran Canaria extended its winning streak to four games by beating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 82-71 at Gran Canaria Arena on Wednesday night. 

Gran Canaria raced past Buducnost, 82-71

Dreamland Gran Canaria extended its winning streak to four games by beating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 82-71 at Gran Canaria Arena on Wednesday night. The hosts led from start to finish and improved their record to 9-2, moving top of Group A along with Bahcesehir College Istanbul. Buducnost recorded its second consecutive loss to drop to 4-7.

John Shurna led all scorers with 18 points, Pierre Pelos netted 14 and Miquel Salvo added 12. For Buducnost, Yogi Ferrell had 16 points and Fletcher Magee recorded 14. Juwan Morgan chipped in with 11 points and 9 rebounds, with Nikola Tanaskovic scoring 10.

Salvo opened the scoring with a bucket inside but Yogi Ferrell nailed a triple and Tanaskovic opened his account for a 2-5 lead. Joe Thomasson and Shurna responded with back-to-back threes that put the hosts ahead, 8-6. Ferrell tied it with a buzzer-beating jumper, but George Conditt and Salvo netted inside before Pierre Pelos drilled a triple to open a 16-8 lead. Then, Caleb Homesley came off the bench to sink a three-pointer before setting up Pelos for an easy basket, with Gran Canaria securing a 21-9 cushion after 10 minutes.

Morgan opened the second quarter with a dunk before Alen Omic and McKinley Wright trimmed the deficit to 21-16. Pelos ended Buducnost’s 0-7 run with a midrange jumper, which was Gran Canaria’s first score in 3 and a half minutes. What followed was an exchange of blows inside before Homesley drilled one from beyond the arc, extending the margin to double digits, 32-21. A Massamba Diop bucket in transition, Shurna’s second triple of the night and Joe Thomasson’s basket extended their team’s run to 12-0. Four hard-fought points from Andrija Slavkovic were not enough to end Gran Canaria’s momentum, with the hosts taking a 43-25 lead into halftime.

Andrew Albicy netted a long two-pointer, before Mateo Dreznjak and Salvo traded triples, as Gran Canaria maintained a 49-28 lead. Homesley and Shurna joined the three-point party, extending the lead to 55-30. Yet, three-point plays from Tanaskovic and Ferrell brought Buducnost within 58-38. The game turned into a back-and-forth affair, with Morgan taking his tally to 10 points with back-to-back baskets that only managed to slightly cut the difference to 63-45. Conditt IV took over with two buckets inside, but Ferrell netted one from deep to reduce the gap to 67-51 heading into the closing quarter.

The guests were not willing to give up and 5 unanswered points from Magee brought Buducnost within 69-56. Mike Tobey’s first basket of the night was followed by triples from Wright and Magee, who trimmed the deficit to 73-63 with less than 3 minutes left on the clock. But Gran Canaria didn’t blink an eye, tightened up its defense in the remaining time and sealed the outcome.

The hosts led by double digits for the majority of the game

Gran Canaria races past Buducnost, 82-71

Brynton Lemar stepped up big at Palasport Taliercio 


Cedevita gets pivotal win in Venice, 75-80! 

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana took a crucial step towards reaching the playoffs from Group A by downing Umana Reyer Venice 75-80 on the road on Wednesday. Cedevita improved to 7-4 in the standings and has a 2-0 record against Reyer, which dropped to 5-6. 

Brynton Lemar led the winners with 23 points and Andrija Stipanovic added 10 for Cedevita. Jordan Parks and Mfiondu Kabengele led Reyer with 20 points apiece. Kyle Wiltjer and Rodney McGruder each added 10 for Reyer. Parks added 10 rebounds for a double-double.

Lemar got Cedevita going with a jumper. Joan Beringer added a put-back dunk and DJ Stewart's fastbreak layup caused Reyer to call timeout at 0-6. Aleksej Nikolic scored off an inbounds steal and then Beringer bettered Wiltjer's jumper with a huge dunk-and-foul for a 2-11 Cedevita lead. After Beringen scored again, Kabengele found his first points, but Lemar's three-pointer boosted the visitors' lead to 4-16. Parks stepped up for Reyer and got plenty of help from Kabengele to bring Reyer within 15-18. Stipanovic followed a three-point play with a put-back layup that made it 16-23. Martinas Geben and Devante Jones pushed the margin to double digits, 17-27, after 10 minutes. 

 

Gregor Glas took over with a fastbreak layup early in the second quarter. Kabengele hit a stop-and-pop jumper and Tyler Ennis's three-point play brought Reyer within 22-29. Parks buried a corner triple to cap an 8-0 run. Lemar struck from downtown and Stipanovic's fastbreak slam prompted the hosts to stop the game at 25-34. Nikolic banked in a close shot and added a layup-plus-foul. McGruder followed a corner triple with a layup in a 7-0 run that got Reyer within 32-39. Geben hit a jumper before Kabengele and Jaka Blazic traded three-pointers. Wiltjer drew his team within 37-44. Blazic scored again and Parks's alley-oop dunk fixed the halftime score at 39-46.

Kabengele hit a close jumper soon after the break and McGruder struck from downtown to make it a 2-point game. Parks joined the three-point shooting to complete Reyer's comeback, 47-46, after a 10-0 run. Lemar stepped up with a backdoor layup and a fadeaway jumper. Devin Robinson scored twice in penetration for a 47-54 Cedevita edge. Amedeo Tessitori and Davide Casarin rescued Reyer before Stewart gave the visitors fresh air at 51-57. Tessitori beat the buzzer with a put-back basket that got Reyer within 53-57 after 30 minutes.

Geben hit a jump hook early in the fourth quarter and Lemar buried a five-meter jumper hat boosted Cedevita's lead to 53-61 with over 7 minutes left. Stipanovic scored down low and Blazic's fast break layup made it 53-65. After Robinson dunked off a steal, Parks did better with a three-point play and McGruder brought Reyer within single digits, 58-67. Lemar hit an off-balance jumper in the lane and bettered Simms's driving layup with a bomb from beyond the arc. Kabengele followed a jumper with his second three-pointer. Simms added a coast-to-coast dunk that cato used Cedevita call timeout at 69-75. Stewart stopped the show with a huge dunk that sealed the outcome, as Reyer did not recover in the final 2 minutes.

Cedevita gets pivotal win in Venice, 75-80

ratiopharm Ulm remained in the running for third place in Group A as it swept the season series against Joventut Badalona with a commanding 88-102 road victory

Ulm downs Joventut, 88-102, for third straight victory 

ratiopharm Ulm remained in the running for third place in Group A as it swept the season series against Joventut Badalona with a commanding 88-102 road victory. Ulm collected its third straight win since the national team break after having lost four of the previous five games for a 7-4 record. Ben Saraf led the way with 18 points, Justinian Jessup had 16 points and 4 three-pointers, Marcio Santos scored 14 points and Karim Jallow chipped in 12 points. 

Joventut’s nightmare season continued with a third straight defeat and seventh in the last eight games for a 3-8 record - three wins away from the playoff ranks. Kassius Robertson paced Joventut with a career-high 23 points - his second straight round of establishing a personal best mark - and Devon Dotson added 18 points in the loss. 

Santos opened the scoring for the visitors while Joventut saw veteran big man Ante Tomic get hit with 2 fouls inside the first 57 seconds. It was 0-4 before Joventut finally scored after more than 2 minutes. Joventut’s backup big man Artem Pustovyi was sent back to the bench with 2 fouls after less than 3 minutes played. Santos scored Ulm’s first 9 points and Isaiah Roby’s three-pointer made it 2-12. Santos added a triple of his own for a 4-15 margin. The guests just kept pouring it on offensively with Saraf scoring 5 points as the cushion grew to 12-29. It was 16-32 after 10 minutes. 

Karim Jallow’s nice move in the paint had Ulm up 21-39 early on in the second quarter. Back-to-back triples trimmed the deficit to 27-39 but Jessup hit his second three-pointer to increase the lead to 19 points at 27-46. Joventut again got the gap to 12 points but trailed 42-56 at the break 

Jessup scored 4 points early in the second half to put Ulm up 46-64 and his 4th three-pointer had the guests ahead 50-67. Sam Dekker stepped up for back-to-back dunks as Joventut found itself down 56-67. Philipp Herkenhoff and Saraf both knocked down triples at the other end and Ulm was up 61-76. Herkenhoff added another three-pointer and Ulm led 70-85 after three quarters.

The duo of Robertson and Dotson kept trying to make the game close but it could not slow down the Ulm offense, and Herkenhoff’s third three-pointer made it 76-94 with less than 6 minutes to go. The advantage grew to 20 points and Joventut could only make the final result a bit more respectable in the closing minute. 

Ulm beats Joventut again thanks to balanced effort 

Conor Morgan, Kyle Allman and Derek Needham combined for 46 points as Besiktas Istanbul prevailed 89-82, canceling out Tai Odiase’s massive effort for Bahcesehir as the big man dominated with 20 points and 8 boards.

Besiktas trio was too much for battling Odiase in Istanbul derby 

[Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-istanbul/roster/bes/?season=2024-25) came out on top against visiting [Bahcesehir College Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25)in an absorbing Istanbul derby as the home team had too much firepower for the BTK EuroCup Group A leader, with the home team’s clutch trio delivering the goods.

[Conor Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/conor-morgan/009680/), [Kyle Allman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-allman/011924/) and [Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/) combined for 46 points as [Besiktas prevailed 89-82](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/besiktas-overpowers-bahcesehir-89-82-in-istanbul-derby/), canceling out [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/)’s massive effort for the visitors as the big man dominated with 20 points and 8 boards.

Bahcesehir was left with too much work to do in the second half after trailing 58-43 at the interval, having fallen behind 49-29 late in the first half due to lethal three-point shooting from Besiktas.

The hosts were 10 of 17 from downtown at halftime while the visitors made only 2 of 9, as Besiktas played airtight defense on the perimeter and forced Bahcesehir to take a barrage of tough shots.

The visiting team turned the tables in the second half as Besiktas, which was 9 of 13 from long range at one point, finished on 13 from 28 but Bahcesehir was unable to capitalize down the stretch as it was contained to a shambolic 3 of 17 from deep.

Morgan, who went the extra mile to make light of big man [Emanuel Terry](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/emanuel-terry/010652/)’s absence, acknowledged Besiktas came out with all guns blazing before being forced to weather the storm down the stretch.  

“We came out and played super hard, we brought the energy and effort,” said Morgan, who posted 17 points, 7 boards, 3 assists and 2 blocks. “Bahcesehir at times struggled to match that and it’s a big win for us moving forward.”

Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic was also pleased with the outcome. “\[Bahcesehir\] is a good team and we surely didn’t expect it to be easy,” the Serbian tactician said after seeing his outfit get sweet revenge for a crushing 87-66 loss in the reverse fixture.

“They are top of our group and that means something. All credit to my team, we played a pretty good game and it’s our third win in a row without the injured big man,” he emphasized.  

In Round 12, Besiktas visits Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv while Bahcesehir is at home to second-placed Dreamland Gran Canaria, in what should be a pair of rip-roaring clashes in the top half of the table.   

Conor Morgan, Kyle Allman and Derek Needham forced the brilliant Tai Odiase into submission 

U-BT Cluj-Napoca is back to a winning record and just a win away from the second place in Group B after a dramatic 89-86 win over the visiting Cosea JL Bourg en Bresse. The Romanian team, which has opened the season with a 0-3 record, has now won six of its last eight games, including four straight on home floor.

Cluj overcame absences, turnovers to keep charging

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25) is back to a winning record and just one win away from second place in Group B after [a dramatic 89-86 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cluj-edges-bourg-in-a-thriller-89-86/) over visiting [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/jl-bourg-en-bresse/roster/bou/?season=2024-25) on Wednesday. The Romanian champions, which opened the season with a 0-3 record, have now won six of their last eight games, including four straight at home.

It also did so despite some major absences.

Team leader and last season's All-EuroCup guard [Patrick Richard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-richard/011801/) is missing in action since Round 5, and will be out long term with a broken forearm. Meanwhile, [Adam Mokoka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/adam-mokoka/012698/) who has been averaging 12.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists of the bench, missed this game.

The problem turned out to be an extra motivation for Cluj.

"It's a really good \[victory\]," star guard [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) said after the win. "We held it down for the guys on the sideline, Pat \[Patrick Richard\] and Adam \[Mokoka\] who are not able to join us on the court."

What's more, Cluj had 23 turnovers in this game, and with Cluj clinging to a 84-79 lead, [Karel Guzman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/karel-guzman/011797/) fouled out with 1:45 to go as Bourg was threatening to come back.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THIS SEQUENCE 😱😮<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MagicMoments?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MagicMoments</a> <a href="https://t.co/s1lSvoIIMq">pic.twitter.com/s1lSvoIIMq</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1866924324105621567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

The visitors did rally and took the lead on a four-point play by [Xavier Castaneda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xavier-castaneda/013266/), just 37 seconds before the final buzzer, but the man responsible for committing that foul, [DJ Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dennis-seeley/004862/), redeemed himself 15 seconds later. Seeley used all his calm and experience to knock down a corner three with 22 seconds to go, giving the hosts an 86-84 lead, which Cluj preserved.

"Being able to protect our home floor against a phenomenal team, it's good," Simpson added. "It's a team-effort win."

Simpson was a front and center of it, playing all but 87 seconds of this 40-minute contest, and scoring 27 points and dishing a club record 11 assists.

But alongside Simpson, there was big man [De'Shawn Stephens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/de-shawn-stephens/006618/) who was 7-for-7 on two-pointers, scoring 7 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter. And there was Seeley, who also had 7 of his 14 points in the fourth.

All that helped Cluj overcome not only absences of key players on this night, but also 23 turnovers.

"I think it says a lot about our offense", Coach Mihai Silvasan explained after the game. "On 23 possessions we did not shoot the ball and we still scored 89 points."

"Hopefully we can use this win to keep us going with the same energy," Simpson concluded.

Indeed, that will be the goal for Cluj. Next week, in the final EuroCup game of this calendar year, the team will travel to face the unbeaten Valencia Basket, before trying to make a playoff push in the final six regular season games in January and early February.

The Romanian champs are back in business with their sixth win in the last eight games

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys earned a well-deserved road win at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria by downing second-placed Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem by 87-93 on Wednesday night. 

Lietkabelis surprises Jerusalem in Bulgaria, 87-93

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys earned a well-deserved road win at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria by downing second-placed Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem by 87-93 on Wednesday night. The visitors ruled 41-49 at halftime but had to wait till the last moments of the fourth quarter to secure the win thanks to a 4-10 run in which Martinas Rubstavicius scored 6 points. Jerusalem slipped to 7-4 and lost distance from first place, while Lietkabelis improved to 3-7 to stay alive in the playoff race.

Rubstavicius led the winners with 19 points in 22 minutes. Oleksandr Kovliar followed with career-high 18 points and 6 assists, Gabrielius Maldunas contributed 13 points, 7 boards and 5 steals, and Martynas Varnas and Vytenis Lipkevicius chipped in 11 and 10 respectively. Jared Harper was the game's top scorer with 24 points, Khadeen Carrington delivered 13 points and 7 rebounds, and Chris Johnson and Jeremy Morgan scored 13 apiece in the losing effort.

An erratic offense punished Jerusalem in the early going as Lietkabelis grabbed a 2-8 lead after 3 minutes. The visitors already had four different scorers, but the hosts stopped the game with a timeout and immediately found Morgan in the corner for a three that changed the trend. A three-point play by Carrington and an inside bucket by Derek Oegbide gave Jerusalem its first advantage of the night at 12-11. Maldunas came to the rescue, scoring 5 points in the blink of an eye to help the visitors recover the lead, 17-18, at the end of the first quarter.

Kovliar and Varnas joined Maldunas early in the second to extend it to 19-23, as Harper became the only one to produce in offense for Jerusalem at that moment. Even though Gabi Chachashvili showed up inside to improve the hosts scoring production, Kovliar kept rocking to swell the difference to 27-33 midway through the second period. Harper and Carrington managed to connect from downtown to give Jerusalem some rhythm, but Lietkabelis took advantage of the hosts' turnovers to hold on and keep ahead 38-42 entering the last minute of the quarter. A four-point play by Rubstavicius and a buzzer-beating triple by Lipkevicius made it even better for the Lithuanian side, 41-49, at halftime.

Johnson came up big after the break, as he opened fire with a three to start a 7-2 run that he also closed with an alley-oop, making it 49-51 early in the third quarter. Oegbide took over to make it all square twice and then turned the tables from the free throw line, 54-53. Lietkabelis didn’t panic, though, and used Briggs inside and Varlas outside to build a 54-60 advantage only a couple of minutes later. An 8-0 run launched by Chachashvili returned a 62-62 to the home team, starting a lead exchanging period that ended up in a 69-69 tie to enter the final stanza.

Yovel Zoosman and Lipkevicius swapped triples to keep it balanced, 74-74, right after the game resumed. Both teams increased intensity on defense, as the free-throw line turned into the only place where any team could score. With 3 minutes to go, Rubstavicius showed up from the corner and drew a foul that he converted into three points and punished again from long range with a three-point dagger soon after that turned on the alarm for the home side, 86-91, entering crunch time. Kovliar dug it deeper with a layup after two consecutive offensive rebounds, and even though Harper tried to reanimate his team in the last minute, he could only trim the difference to 87-93 at the end of the game.

It was the first road victory for Lietkabelis, which snapped a three-game losing streak

[DeVante' Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devante-jones/013260/) experienced a European debut that very few basketball players do. The [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/lju/) guard was part of almost a rock-star show that included games in Las Vegas and meeting Kylian Mbappe. And it was all because of Victor Wembanyama.

Jones’s connection with the current NBA sensation goes back to their mutual trainer, Tim Martin. Jones and Wembanyama worked out at the same gym in the summer of 2022 in Dallas.

“I was like, is that the guy everybody's raving about? So I walked over and had a talk with him and we hit it off right away,” Jones remembered.

And when Jones’s agent told him of the opportunity to play with Wembanyama at Metropolitans 92, he jumped at it.

“The first day I got the Paris I went over to Victor and it was like we've been together all the time, our whole lives. He was one of the best teammates I ever played with, just very unselfish,” said Jones.

The 2022-23 season was a great ride with Metropolitans. In October 2022, the team flew to Las Vegas to play against the G League Unite team in two exhibition games. It was a chance for the world to see Wembanyama go up against the player most people thought had the best chance to get picked number one in the 2023 NBA Draft over him – Scoot Henderson. And Wembanyama didn’t disappoint with games of 37 and 36 points.

“It was amazing. The stars in Vegas: LeBron \[James\], Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, etc. They came just to support Victor. But just being able to see guys that you look up to or you watch every day, it was kind of amazing,” Jones said.

“I think being in Vegas, that's when Victor really solidified himself being the number one pick… He was just doing some crazy things that you were just not used to seeing. And he had the whole crowd cheering his name and things like that. So it was great. Just having the opportunity to play in front of LeBron James. Just having all that media attention. Staying in a great hotel. Just being able to enjoy Vegas, just being out there for a week, really just enjoying it.”

The Wemby Show also gave Jones a chance to meet some of the biggest stars in the world. There was an NBA Draft Lottery watch party held at the Nike facility in Paris and world football stars like Mbappe and Neymar were there – in addition to Jones.

“Victor did a great job just making us feel famous as well,” he said.

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The French League season ended with Metropolitans losing to AS Monaco in the finals, falling 3-0 to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team. That didn’t go over well with Wembanyama.

“Man, he cried so much. He was just so hurt,” Jones said. “After we lost that last game, we got in a circle and Victor says: I will never be swept again. And just hearing that come from somebody that young, just the competitiveness he had, and the maturity he showed throughout the whole season, that's something you don't really see.”

The two parted ways after the season. Wembanyama, of course, went on to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and won the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year award for an outstanding first season with the San Antonio Spurs.

Jones left Metropolitans but stayed in France, moving to Le Mans. He ranked second in the league in scoring with 15.9 points per game, taking on a different role while also dishing out 5.2 assists per game – the fifth-best average in the French top flight.

“I didn't play with as much talent and in order for us to get some wins and compete, I had to take more of that scoring role. Also, while being a playmaker as well,” Jones said. “When it comes to me, I can adjust and adapt to any situation. If I need to score, I score. If I need to be able to make reads, make passes, I do that as well.”

Le Mans ended up taking 11th place in the league and missing the playoffs.

This season, Jones is debuting in the BKT EuroCup with Cedevita, which poses him a different challenge since he is playing in a different league and also facing teams from throughout Europe.

"What stands out is the pace of the game. It's very special,” he commented. “Valencia is very fast. They get the ball out quick. They shoot the ball within five seconds sometimes of the shot clock. Each game is different, though. Every team brings something different. And it's fun because you just never know who you're going to play against.”

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Looking back, Jones enjoys talking about that first year in France with Wembanyama. There are a lot of things he remembers of the Frenchman’s star talent: how he worked out in the weight room with no socks or shoes to help strengthen his feet; his preparation, including getting to practice early to mentally get himself together; the way he carried himself as the first to be in the gym and the last to leave; seeing him just to hate losing; having to play him one-on-one over and over again.

“It's not normal. So just seeing that, such a competitive nature at his age is like, I like this. So it started rubbing off on me and the whole team. So, I learned a lot from Victor.”

It’s fair to say Jones enjoyed his wild, season-long ride with Victor Wembanyama.

The EuroCup rookie enjoyed a memorable season playing alongside the current San Antonio Spurs superstar

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DeVante' Jones and his wild European debut with Victor Wembanyama

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