Name: Top 10 Plays | Eighthfinals | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Check out the best plays from the BKT EuroCup Eighthfinals action on Tuesday and Wednesday, and see who had the best of them!

Top 10 Plays | Eighthfinals | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup

NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade: Players to watch

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague 2024-25 season will hold its final qualifying tournament this weekend in Belgrade with the Serbian capital hosting the event for the 18th time. The tournament features past continental champions U18 Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, U18 Pole France INSEP Paris and U18 Joventut Badalona as well as debutant U18 Dolomiti Energia Trento, U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv, U18 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and U18 Next Gen Team Belgrade. 

The teams will compete over three days at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade from March 7 to 9 with the aim of reaching the NextGen EuroLeague Finals, which will be played at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in May in Abu Dhabi. Here are some of the names to look out for from the teams in Belgrade.

 

### Uros Danilovic - U18 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Uros Danilovic is competing in the competition for a second season after playing a key role in 2024 with 6.5 points and 1.8 rebounds. He has proven to be an excellent scorer in the U19 Serbian league by averaging 13.9 points along with 2.8 assists. Danilovic has scored 20+ points five times - including 27 points against BKK Radnicki - and he is shooting 45 percent on three-pointers this season. He also averaged 15.3 points in the U19 ABA League. Danilovic does a good job going coast to coast after defensive rebounds, is a good spot-up shooter and a great leader. He still needs to work on his pick-and-roll game.

 

### 

### Tamir Gold - U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv

Tamir Gold will be appearing in his third NextGen campaign after playing in Zadar in 2023 and then averaging 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in Belgrade in 2024. After playing in the U16 EuroBasket 2023, the forward was part of history for Israel last summer in helping them take fourth place at the U18 EuroBasket 2024 with 8.1 points and 2.0 rebounds to secure their first-ever berth at the U19 World Cup. Gold could be limited in his play as he has missed the last two months with a knee injury. Gold has a high-level character, is very mature for his age, a great locker room guy and leader. He is hard-working and focused with a high basketball IQ. He runs the floor well and is long and moves pretty well. Gold has worked to improve his shot and has good timing for rebounds, blocks and deflections on defense. 

 

### Patrick Hassan - U18 Dolomiti Energia Trento

Patrick Hassan will be playing his second NextGen tournament after he averaged 3.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals playing for U18 Orange1 Bassano at Patras 2023. The guard helped Italy win silver at the U16 EuroBasket 2023 with 3.4 points and 2.0 rebounds, and he collected 5.1 points, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals as Italy grabbed second place at the U17 Basketball World Cup 2024. Hassan made his BKT EuroCup debut in mid-October against Bahcesehir College Istanbul. In the Italian U20 Next Gen Cup, he averaged 21.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.8 rebounds and he is scoring 20.4 points per game in the Italian U19 league. He is really aggressive off the dribble, uses the ball screen well, has a good mid-range jumper and consistent three-point shot though he needs to add more creativity to his finishing. Hassan excels with his on-ball defense, has strong mental toughness and communication skills on the floor.

### Noa Kouakou-Heugue - U18 Pole France INSEP Paris

This will be the second NextGen campaign for Noa Kouakou-Heugue after he collected 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds at the Paris 2024 tournament and followed that with 4.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals at the NextGen Finals. He contributed 1 rebound in 6 minutes in last season’s NextGen EuroLeague Championship Game. Kouakou-Heugue was part of France’s youth national team the last two summers going for 2.3 points and 3.3 rebounds as the French took third place at the U16 EuroBasket 2023. He then averaged 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds at the U17 Basketball World Cup 2024. This season he is tallying 9.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in the French third division NM1. Kouakou-Heugue has excellent mobility and verticality. He also is quite versatile with the ability to play facing the basket or his back to the basket. The long forward can also defend multiple positions.

 

### Aleksej Nedeljkovic - U18 Crvena Zveza Belgrade

Aleksej Nedeljkovic will be appearing in his first NextGen event. The 2008-born guard helped Serbia to third place at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2024 with 6.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He has collected 10.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in three U19 ABA League games. Nedeljkovic has a strong one-on-one game and penetrates well to the rim. Despite being a guard, he rebounds well on both the offensive and defensive glass. He excels in open space in transition and also on help defense from the weak side. Nedeljkovic needs to improve his three-point shot and his mid-range game. 

 

### Ian Platteeuw - U18 Joventut Badalona

Ian Platteeuw will be appearing in his third NextGen season and averaged 9.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in Paris last year. The 2.13-meter big man helped Spain win the title at the U16 EuroBasket 2023 with 7.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Last summer he tallied 8.6 points and 7.1 rebounds at the U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 and then had 5.4 points and 3.6 rebounds at the U18 EuroBasket 2024. This season Platteeuw appeared in four BKT EuroCup games and collected 10 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in a combined 24 minutes. He made his Spanish ACB debut last season and the big man has appeared in two games this season. He is splitting time with Prat in the third division Segundo FEB (8.8 ppg., 5.2 rpg.) and Joventut’s second team in the fourth division Tercera FEB (14.3 ppg., 11.4 rpg., 3.4 apg.). Platteeuw is a highly skilled center with exceptional passing ability and court vision that allows him to function as a playmaker and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He has a strong work ethic and high basketball IQ. He must work on his physical toughness to become more competitive in contact situations and improve his mid-range and three-point shooting to diversify his offensive game.

 

### Luigi Suigo - U18 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 

Luigi Suigo is playing his second NextGen season after he had 4.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in Belgrade last year. He then averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks at the NextGen Finals. The 2.20-meter center debuted for Italy at the U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 and collected 7.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for the silver medallists. Later in the summer, he contributed 7.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks at the U18 EuroBasket. This season he helped Milan repeat as champion of the Italian U20 Next Gen Cup, taking home MVP with 20 points and 11 rebounds in an 87-68 win over Tortona in the final. He is also averaging 10.2 points for fourth-division Oleggio Magic Basket. Since arriving at Milan at the beginning of the 2022-23 season, "Gigi's" growth has been exponential thanks to his determination to train. He has improved both technically and physically, earning call-ups to the first team in both the Italian League and Turkish Airlines EuroLeague - though he is yet to make his debut with the pro team.

### Aaron Towo-Nansi - U18 Next Gen Team Belgrade 

Aaron Towo-Nansi will be playing in his second NextGen event after he had  8.5 points, 1.2 rebounds 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals in Podgorica 2024 for U18 Cholet Basket - despite not even turning 15 years old. The 2009-born guard guided France to the gold medal at the U16 EuroBasket 2024 with 8.6 points, 5.0 assists and 2.7 steals. This season, the 1.74-meter point guard is averaging 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals in the French U21 league, twice topping 20 points - including 24 points against JDA Dijon. Towo-Nansi is a great leader who can change the game with his creativity, defense and three-point shot. His weakness is his size but the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague has shown with the likes of Mike James, TJ Shorts and Markus Howard that smaller guards can still be highly effective. 

Here are eight top talents to keep an eye on at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Belgrade


Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana booked a BKT EuroCup Quarterfinal berth with a 96-86 victory over visiting Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul after wiping out a 13-point first-half deficit as several home players stepped up in a thrilling matchup. 

Cedevita's strong second half lifted it past Besiktas

[Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/roster/lju/?season=2024-25) booked a BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals berth with [a 96-86 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-olimpija-downs-besiktas-96-86-to-reach-quarterfinals/) over visiting [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-istanbul/roster/bes/?season=2024-25) after wiping out a 13-point first-half deficit as several home players stepped up in a thrilling matchup.

The outcome marks a tremendous improvement for the Slovenian side, which finished on a dismal 1-17 record last season. Fine performances during the regular season saw Cedevita clinch a postseason berth and the Slovenian side will now face [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25) for a semifinal spot, having pulled off a great escape against more fancied Besiktas.

The hosts were subdued through most of the first half as Besiktas ran their defense rugged with lightning transition which yielded a barrage of easy points. Trailing 34-47 late in the first half, Cedevita stayed alive with an 8-2 run which paved the way for a monster second half, particularly the fourth quarter in which the Turkish team’s offense was ground to a halt.

Game Videos

[Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/) led Cedevita’s charge with 21 points and 12 boards, shooting 9 of 15 from inside, while [Brynton Lemar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brynton-lemar/013261/) chipped in with 20 as he was a perfect 13 of 13 from the foul line.

“The intensity was hard but we came together and the fans came in our support,” Robinson said in his postgame comments after a strength-sapping contest in the Stozice Arena.

“We played at a high level, we didn’t give up and it was a great night overall. We are making history again as we’ve been written off for so many years and this year we have a great opportunity to make something happen,” he added.

Game News

Cedevita head coach Zvezdan Mitrovic was pretty much lost for words after seeing his team stage a valiant fightback in the face of adversity, prevailing 28-17 in the fourth quarter to turn the tide.

“Congrats to both teams, it was a great performance by both sides,” he said. “We grabbed the game after falling behind and won.”

Mitrovic’s Besiktas counterpart, Dusan Alimpijevic, conceded that Cedevita was a worthy winner after his team’s hopes of at least emulating last season’s achievement when it reached the semifinals, were dashed against an inspired Cedevita outfit.

“It was a well-deserved win for Cedevita, we failed to manage the things we had agreed upon,” a grim-faced Alimpijevic said. “We had some good moments but it wasn’t enough as they had two players scoring 41 points between them. Congrats to Cedevita and I wish them luck in the next round.” 

The home team brushed aside its Turkish rival after the break 

Cedevita's strong second half lifted it past Besiktas 

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2025-03-05T18:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco head coach Vassilis Spanoulis stressed that Wednesday’s 79-91 win away at Paris Basketball was a team victory and Daniel Theis and Jordan Loyd led the way with 21 points each

Daniel Theis, Jordan Loyd cooked in statement victory at Paris

[AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2024-25) head coach Vassilis Spanoulis stressed that [Wednesday’s 79-91 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-downs-paris-79-91-in-french-league-derby/) at [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/roster/prs/?season=2024-25) was a team victory, with the visitors sharing the ball smoothly and recording 25 assists at Adidas Arena. Yet, there were two players who thrived on the floor, inspiring Monaco to an important road triumph in the French League derby. [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) and [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) netted 21 each, combining for almost half of the team's points.

The former needed just a couple of games to adapt to his new surroundings following his return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Monaco’s new signing hit the ground running and netted 8 first-quarter points in his second appearance for Spanoulis’s side.

Daniel Theis's best plays against Paris

The visitors took a 39-44 cushion into the third quarter, which they opened with a 12-0 surge inspired by Theis, who netted 7 of those points. [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) made 3 from the line to bring Paris within 42-56, but Loyd came to the fore with 10 straight points to open a 47-66 lead. Monaco stepped up its defense, which held the hosts to just 14 points in the third quarter.

"That was big for us,” [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) told EuroLeague TV. “Coming out from halftime. We knew that we wanted to continue being aggressive and that’s what we did with that 12-0 run.”

Theis equaled his career-high point tally, with Loyd recording a season-high in points scored. The German center also registered a game-high 7 rebounds, as well as 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block, contributing on both ends of the court.

“Everybody knows Daniel,” Spanoulis told EuroLeague TV. “I know Daniel. That’s why we brought him here. Today he was really important for us, like all the guys.”

As for Loyd, he was almost perfect from the floor, making 4 of 5 from inside the arc and going 4-for-4 from deep.

“I try not to look at \[the stats\] too much. Maybe it’s the new haircut, I don’t know,” Loyd joked after the final whistle.

Monaco got back to winning ways after losing their previous two games and improved its record to 17-11 heading into the last six duels of the 2024-25 regular season. Coming up next is a road clash against [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2024-25) at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall next week, when Theis and Loyd will look to build on Wednesday’s performance by helping Monaco to kickstart a winning streak.

 The two Monaco aces netted 21 points each in the road win

Paris Basketball v AS Monaco (2025-03-05T19:30:00.000Z)

Dreamland Gran Canaria edged Umana Reyer Venice 84-80 in the EuroCup Eighthfinals. Mehdy Ngouama paved the way with an outstanding first-half performance.


Mehdy Ngouama was Gran Canaria's X-factor against Reyer

[Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/roster/can/?season=2024-25) recorded [an 84-80 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-outlasts-reyer-84-80/) over [Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/roster/vnc/?season=2024-25) in the EuroCup Eighthfinals thanks to [Mehdy Ngouama](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mehdy-ngouama/009556/), who paved the way with an outstanding first-half performance.

Gran Canaria did not enter the game in the best physical condition. Star guard [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) was slowed down by a knee injury, missed a Spanish League game over the weekend and made an effort to help his team in this do-or-die game. Fortunately for Gran Canaria, Ngouama was able to deliver, surprising fans and experts alike with his energy and all-around game.

Ngouama was simply unstoppable once he entered the game early in the first quarter. He quickly got a three-point play and soon added another layup-plus-foul to put Gran Canaria ahead, 15-11. Ngouama still had time to hit a floater and a bomb from downtown to reach 11 points in the first quarter, giving his team a 25-16 lead.

Mehdy Ngouama of Dreamland Gran Canaria had 18 first-half points in his team's 84-80 eighthfinals win over Umana Reyer Venice.

Ngouama sets the tone for Gran Canaria

He was far from done. Ngouama buried a three-pointer early in the second quarter and provided one of the biggest highlights of the season, getting a steal and dunking over Reyer playmaker [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/). The visitors quickly called a timeout, but Ngouama still had time to hit an off-balance shot over [Mfioundu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/). At halftime, Ngouama had 18 points, matching his career-high, and Gran Canaria had full control of the game, 46-39.

Gran Canaria head coach Jaka Lakovic opted for more experienced players in the second half, in which Ngouama played less than 4 minutes. Even so, he ended up leading his team in scoring with 18 points in just 16 minutes, making 5 of 6 two-pointers, 2 of 4 three-pointers and 2 of 2 free throws, as well as getting 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 fouls drawn for a team-high PIR of 21. Until now, Ngouama had struggled to adjust to his new team. In five EuroCup games, he had averaged 4.8 points on poor shooting (25.0% 2FG, 30.8% 3FG), 1.8 rebounds and a PIR of 1.4.

Another shooting guard, [Joe Thomasson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-thomasson/012095/), stepped up with the game on the line. The game was tied at 72-72 when [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) hit a floater in the lane. Thomasson made the difference with a five-meter jumper and a bomb from downtown which gave his team the cushion it needed to control the game until the final buzzer.

"I'm feeling great. First of all, congratulations to Reyer. They had a great run during the EuroCup season. I'm really proud of the team. We had some ups and downs, but now we are moving up. We now have another challenge and will be ready for the next one," Ngouama said after the game.

Ngouama is one of seven EuroCup champions on Gran Canaria's roster. He lifted the trophy with Paris Basketball last season. If Gran Canaria wins the title, Ngouama would be the second player in competition history to win consecutive EuroCup titles with different teams. [Edu Hernandez-Sonseca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/edu-hernandez-sonseca/amp/) is the only player on this list, having won the EuroCup with Real Madrid in 2007 and Joventut Badalona in 2008.

"I expect to get my back-to-back Eurocup championships, so I am still on the run to get it, but we will see! We just got to stay ready, go step by step, one game at a time and we will see," Ngouama added. 

A EuroCup champ last season, had his best game yet with Granca on Wednesday

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Umana Reyer Venice (2025-03-05T20:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco guard Jordan Loyd spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Paris Basketball in Round 28 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.  

Jordan Loyd: 'We gotta build on this win'

Dreamland Gran Canaria-Umana Reyer Venice | Eighthfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup   

Paris Basketball-AS Monaco | RS Round 28 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

AS Monaco came out victorious from the all-French League encounter by thrashing Paris Basketball 79-91 on Wednesday night at Adidas Arena

Monaco downs Paris, 79-91, in French League derby

AS Monaco came out victorious from the all-French League encounter by thrashing Paris Basketball 79-91 on Wednesday night at Adidas Arena. The visitors led for most of the game, outscoring the hosts 14-27 in the third quarter to establish a double-digit cushion that they maintained until the final whistle. Monaco improved its record to 17-11 and claimed the head-to-head advantage in the race for a top-four spot. Paris dropped to 16-12 after recording its second straight home loss this week.

Jordan Loyd and Daniel Theis bagged 21 points each to lead all scorers, with the former recording a season-high and the latter equaling his career high. Alpha Diallo netted 15 points and Elie Okobo added 12 for the visitors. TJ Shorts paced Paris with 19 points, Nadir Hifi scored 17 and Maodo Lo had 10.

Birthday boy Kevarrius Hayes opened the scoring with a jumper, but Diallo and Theis netted 4 and 3 points, respectively, for a 2-8 lead. Hifi and Lo responded from inside before a triple by Daulton Hommes put Paris ahead, 11-10. Theis and Mike James scored from beyond the arc to make it 15-18. Shorts nailed a trademark midrange jump shot before completing a three-point play that brought Paris within 22-24 after 10 minutes.

Bandja Sy and Loyd traded triples before Tyson Ward hit one of his own to put Paris in front, 28-27. A Diallo three-point play was followed by a dunk from Theis to tie it up at 32-32. What followed was a back-and-forth passage of play, with Okobo and Loyd giving Monaco a 36-40 lead from deep. Then, Theis and James found inside scores to make it 39-44 at halftime.

The two teams were scoreless for the first 2 minutes of the third quarter, but James ended the drought with a jumper. Theis took over with 7 straight points before a triple by Loyd from the top of the key opened a 39-56 lead. It took Paris 5 minutes to score its first points of the quarter with Hifi hitting 3 from the line, but a red-hot Loyd responded with 10 consecutive points for a 47-66 cushion. Shorts scored a couple of baskets and set up Ward for another, but Monaco maintained a 53-71 advantage heading into the closing quarter.

Jaron Blossomgame opened the fourth with back-to-back baskets, but Shorts slightly cut the difference to 58-75 with a three-point play. Hifi nailed two straight layups before a tip-in by Yakuba Ouattara slashed the deficit to 68-81. But Okobo and Loyd drilled a triple each to restore a 68-87 lead, practically putting the game to bed.

The visitors claimed the head-to-head advantage with a statement road victory

Ngouama's poster dunk Magic Moment of the Night

Gran Canaria earned the right to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the next round

Gran Canaria outlasts Reyer, 84-80! 

Dreamland Gran Canaria reached the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals for the ninth time in club history by edging Umana Reyer Venice 84-80 at home in the single-game eighthfinals on Wednesday.

Gran Canaria is now set to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the single-game quarterfinals next week. Mehdy Ngouama led the winners with 18 points, all of which came in the first half. Mike Tobey added 14 while Nico Brussino and Joe Thomasson each had 12 for Gran Canaria. Jordan Parks, Tyler Ennis and Aamir Simms led Reyer with 15 points apiece. Mfiondu Kabengele pulled down 12 rebounds for the visitors.

Brussino got Gran Canaria going with a corner triple. Kyle Wiltjer answered from downtown before Tobey's layup gave the hosts a 5-3 edge. Carl Wheatle sank a jumper which Kabengele followed with a dunk to put Reyer up 5-7. Ngouama stepped up with a three-point play, which Ennis erased with a bomb from beyond the arc. Tobey took over with a tip-in, Thomasson scored in the paint and Ngouama's layup-plus-foul boosted Gran Canaria's lead to 15-11. Pierre Pelos improved on Ennis's jumper with a three-pointer. Ngouama followed a floater with a triple before Brussino made it a double-digit game, 25-14. Amedeo Tessitori brought Reyer within 25-16 after 10 minutes.

Tessitori hit a jump hook and fed Simms for a one-handed slam, prompting Gran Canaria to call a timeout at 25-20. Caleb Homesley and Davide Moretti each struck from downtown and so did Ngouma for a 31-23 Gran Canaria lead. Simms took over with a wild driving layup and matched Tobey's catch-and-shoot triple with his own shot from beyond the arc. Rodney McGruder scored in transition before Brussino gave the hosts fresh air at 39-30. Wiltjer scored around the basket and Parks dunked to keep Reyer close, 39-34. John Shurna ignited the crowd with an off-balance triple and Ngouama added a poster dunk off a steal, but Kabengele and Xavier Munford brought Reyer within 44-39. Ngouama sank an off-balance shot over Kabengele for a 46-39 Gran Canaria lead at halftime.

Reyer found a go-to guy in Parks, who followed a four-point play with consecutive layups. Ennis found space for an uncontested layup, which caused Gran Canaria to call timeout at 46-49, after a 0-10 run. After Thomasson and Kabengele exchanged baskets, Tobey followed a layup with a mid-range jumper. Thomasson tied it at 54-54. Parks kept pushing Reyer with a bomb from downtown and a mid-range jumper off the dribble for a 56-59 edge. Andrew Albicy found his first points, singlehandedly restoring a 60-59 Gran Canaria lead. Simms and Pelos traded triples before Homesley's driving layup fixed the score at 63-62 after three quarters.

Simms insisted from beyond the arc early in the fourth quarter. George Conditt stepped up with a fastbreak slam and Miquel Salvo improved on Moretti's layup with a three-pointer. Albicy made free throws before Moretti tied the game with a three-point play, 70-70. Tobey dunked, but Simms answered with a reverse layup. Brussino banked in a close shot that made it 74-72 with more than 3 minutes to play. Thomasson swished a five-meter jumper off the dribble and improved on Ennis's floater with a critical bomb from downtown for a 79-74 Gran Canaria lead. After Kabengele and Thomasson each split free throws, Munford made both attempts. Pelos struck from downtown to seal the outcome down the stretch.

Gran Canaria earned the right to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the next round


Gran Canaria outlasts Reyer, 84-80

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana forward Devin Robinson spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul in the BKT EuroCup eighthfinals. 

Devin Robinson: 'We're making history again'

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana booked a quarterfinal berth in the BKT EuroCup where it will meet Bahcesehir College Istanbul for a spot in the last four after an impressive 96-86 home win over Besiktas Fidabanka Istanbul in the eighthfinals on Wednesday. 

Cedevita Olimpija downs Besiktas 96-86 to reach quarterfinals

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana booked a quarterfinal berth in the BKT EuroCup where it will meet Bahcesehir College Istanbul for a spot in the last four after an impressive 96-86 home win over Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul in the eighthfinals on Wednesday.

Devin Robinson led a pack of five Cedevita players who finished in double figures with 21 points and 11 boards. Brynton Lemar scored 20 points for the hosts, while Devante Jones amassed 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. DJ Stewart added 13 points and Joan Beringer chipped in with 12 for the Slovenian outfit, which erased a 13-point first-half deficit to delight a vocal home crowd in the Stozice Arena.

At the other end, Jonah Mathews paced Besiktas with 18 points while Kyle Allman registered 13 points to go with 14 assists. Yigit Arslan netted 14 points, Dustin Sleva added 12 and Uros Plavsic chipped in with 11 for the Turkish outfit.

Besiktas carved out a 23-24 lead at the end of a rollercoaster first quarter, with the lead changing hands several times. Plavsic got off to a flying start for Besiktas with a couple of early dunks as the visitors carved out a 10-13 lead before Cedevita rallied with a 9-2 run only to let the advantage slip through its fingers.

The see-saw battle continued early in the second before Besiktas pulled away to 29-38 and then 34-47 on the back of fast-flowing offense, with Allman pulling the strings. The guard dished out a flurry of assists and his teammates responded with a barrage of dunks as Besiktas benefited from great teamwork, but Olimpija clawed its way back with an 8-2 run which cut the deficit to 42-49 at halftime.

The home team ramped up its defense in the third quarter and Robinson kept roasting his markers from inside, with Stewart’s triple allowing Cedevita to nose ahead 58-57 midway through. Besiktas led 68-69 ahead of the final 10 minutes and was 70-72 in front early in the fourth, but Cedevita turned the tide for good soon after.

The visiting team was still in it midway through the final period as Cedevita led 83-79, but the writing was on the wall for Besiktas after Jones sank a deep three to stretch the home team’s lead to 92-82, effectively sealing the game as a contest.  

The Turkish team looked the more likely winner for three-quarters of a captivating battle, but ironclad defense coupled with efficient shooting from the foul line (29 of 35) propelled Cedevita into the last eight of the competition.

The Slovenian team produced a flawless second half to advance 

Top 10 Plays | Eighthfinals | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup

Jordan Loyd: 'We gotta build on this win'

Dreamland Gran Canaria-Umana Reyer Venice | Eighthfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup

Paris Basketball-AS Monaco | RS Round 28 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Ngouama's poster dunk Magic Moment of the Night

Devin Robinson: 'We're making history again'

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Besiktas Fibabank Istabul | Eighthfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup

Kabengele's huge block! Magic Moment

Simms throws it down! Magic Moment

Plavsic at it again! Magic Moment

Theis posterizes Kratzer! Motorola Magic Moment