Name: Munich Qualifier FIRST-PLACE Game Highlights I U18 Next Gen Team Munich vs U18 Valencia Basket U18
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

While KK Cedevita Olimpija has done a number of important things well on both ends as they have climbed the standings, they have done so while also building perhaps one of the league’s best highlight reels to this point.

Stats review: Getting up above the rim

Round 15 of the BKT EuroCup saw [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/lju/) score a [key victory over Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cedevita-holds-off-jerusalem-70-74-to-rise-into-second-place/) to climb into sole possession of second place in Group B. While the club has done a number of important things well on both ends as they have climbed the standings, they have done so while also building perhaps one of the league’s best highlight reels to this point.

As the table above suggests, no team has played above the rim more often than Cedevita this season. Explosive swingman [Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/), young big man [Joan Beringer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joan-beringer/012996/), and bouncy guard [DJ Stewart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dj-stewart/012700/) give the Slovenian club a trio of players who finish around one dunk per game. While two points is two points, dunks do not come easy at this level, and there’s momentum to be seized when a player springs free to finish a lob or make a highlight reel play. 

Robinson is currently in a three-way tie for second place in individual dunks with [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/)'s [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/) and [ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/ulm/)'s [Noa Essengue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/noa-essengue/011391/), who has propelled the German outfit towards the top of this list. The 18-year-old French forward has had a dunk in every game this season as he’s turned a bit of a corner with his assertiveness offensively in his second season in the EuroCup.   

[Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/)'s [Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/) led all players with three dunks in Round 15, and his ability to rise up to finish lobs and put backs above the square makes things interesting every time he finds an angle to the rim. He and Kyle Alexander give Turk Telekom perhaps the best duo of lob-catching big men in the EuroCup this season.

[Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/) of [Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/vnc/) not only leads all players in dunks, but his single-game high of five back in Round 10 is one of the highest marks in recent history. The powerfully built big man is a physical presence around the rim and his 2.79-meter standing reach makes him an easy target for quick alley-oop passes in close proximity of the rim. 

Dunks only make up around 5% of all shots in the EuroCup as defenses give up few easy looks inside. It is a luxury at this level to have a player so gifted that they can find ways to regularly make acrobatic plays rolling to the rim, cutting backdoor, or getting out in transition and perhaps no team has benefited from that as much as Cedevita as they position themselves for a postseason bye with only three games remaining.

Some players have been lighting up the EuroCup with their big dunks this season

While the EuroLeague at large is embracing the three-point shot as much as ever, pull-up jump shooting remains the part of that equation that teams vary on the most. 

Stats review: Efficiency on pull-up jump shots

[Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) has risen a game and a half clear of the field in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings following the double-round week, but the Reds took a unique route to their road wins over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Real Madrid. Averaging 11.8 points on pull-up jump shots per game coming into the week, the Greek club poured in 52 points on dribble jumpers alone over their pair of victories.

While the EuroLeague at large is embracing the three-point shot as much as ever, pull-up jump shooting remains the part of that equation that teams vary on the most. Whereas every team is working hard to create open looks in the corners, their pull-up shooting often gives an insight into their personnel, rules around shot selection, overall approach on the offensive end or, in the case of Olympiacos, how resilient they can be when the moment calls for it.

The table above ranks this season’s most efficient pull-up jump shooting teams, with some details about the volume of dribble jumpers they attempt and what percentage of those shots come from beyond the arc. 

Olympiacos has an interesting profile as it ranks among the least aggressive teams shooting off the dribble but attempts one of the highest percentages from beyond the arc – the Reds are not hesitant to rise and fire from the perimeter off the dribble, but they resist the urge in mid-range spots. Olympiacos attempts the second-fewest mid-range jumpers in the EuroLeague, and given they have made both 37% of their pull-up two-pointers and three-pointers, their shot selection lands them near the top of the list above.

Interestingly, the two other teams attempting the highest proportion of their pull-up jumpers from beyond the arc fall on different ends of the spectrum. While [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/) leads the league in pull-up three-pointers attempted by a wide margin this season and makes them at a rate that certainly supports that approach, the team taking the highest volume of their pull-ups from beyond the arc ranks towards the bottom of the EuroLeague in efficiency shooting off the dribble – shot selection can only take teams so far at the moment.

The table above paints that picture vividly as the three teams tied for taking the most pull-up jumpers all appear, and while Bayern is not fond of the mid-range, [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/tel/) and [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/) both embrace long twos. While Maccabi attempts nearly three times as many pull-up two-pointers per game than Olympiacos, at nearly 10 per game, they convert a serviceable 44% of them as their accuracy does justify that approach in many games.

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) is making a tremendous 49% of their mid-range jumpers, which has them knocking on the door for the league average in overall offensive efficiency with one of the game’s least efficient shots in recent seasons. Couple that with their 37% shooting on pull-up three-pointers, which trails only Bayern, Olympiacos, and [Zagiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/), and their placement at the top of this list tracks with their all-around consistency.

Individually, Panathinaikos's [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) has a lot to do with his team’s shooting efficiency, though [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/)'s [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) maintains a slight lead in points per game. Olympiacos's [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) sits third in points scored per game pulling up off the dribble, in part because he poured in 25 points on pull-up jumpers alone last week. 

Olympiacos's Evan Fournier netted 25 points on pull-up jumpers alone last week

The Lithuanian team lost twice last week, most recently a rescheduled Round 13 home game to [Cedevita on Thursday](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bc-lietkabelis-vs-kk-cedevita-olimpija-eurocup-round-13/), while Hamburg has lost three in a row after its offensive struggles continued with just [65 points at Turk Telekom](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-retains-playoff-hopes-with-77-65-win-over-hamburg/) last time out. Lietkabelis won comfortably when the teams met in November, [triumphing 91-68](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/lietkabelis-runs-past-hamburg-91-68/) with the help of 10 points and 8 assists from young guard [Oleksandr Kovliar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/oleksandr-kovliar/013247/). Hamburg was led by 10 points from big man [Kur Kuath](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kur-kuath/013313/), who has remained highly consistent with double-digit scoring in six consecutive games, including three double-doubles.

GAME NOTES

\- Lietkabelis blasted Hamburg 91-68 in Round 7 behind 22 points from Mantas Rubstavicius.

\- Rubstavicius set a career-high with 4 three-pointers against Hamburg in Round 7.

\- Lietkabelis guard Oleksandr Kovliar dished a career-high 8 assists against Hamburg in Round 7.

\- These teams only previous meetings before this season came during the 2021-22 campaign when both teams won on the road.

Game Videos

GAME FACTS

### Veolia Towers Hamburg

 

**Streaks**

Keondre Kennedy has made at least 1 three-point shot in six of his last seven games.

Jaizec Lottie has made at least 1 three-point shot in eight of his last nine games.

Lottie has made at least 1 steal in five of his last six games.

Brae Ivey has made at least 1 three-pointer in nine of his last 10 games.

Ivey has collected at least 1 steal in nine of his last 10 games.

Kur Kuath has blocked at least 1 shot in 12 straight games. 

Kuath has scored 10 or more points in six straight games.

Kuath has had PIRs of 12 or more in six straight games.

Kuath has pulled down at least 7 rebounds in four of his last five games.

 

**Player Records against Opponent**

Leif Moeller posted his career high in Index Rating with 7 for Veolia Towers Hamburg against 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys on november 6, 2024.

Leif Moeller posted his career high in Assists with 4 for Veolia Towers Hamburg against 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys on november 6, 2024.

Niklas Wimberg posted his career high in Assists with 4 for Veolia Towers Hamburg against 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys on november 6, 2024.

 

**Season Rankings**

Kur Kuath is ranked seventh among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Total Rebounds with 6,2 per game.

Kur Kuath is ranked seventh among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Offensive Rebounds with 2,3 per game.

Kur Kuath is ranked second among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Blocks with 1,8 per game.

Kur Kuath is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 2-pointers % with 71,8% per game.

Kur Kuath is ranked fourth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Field goals % with 71,8% per game.

Kur Kuath is ranked third among qualified EuroCup players this season in average True Shooting % with 71,3% per game.

 

 

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys

 

**Streaks**

Georgios Kalaitzakis has scored in double figures in nine of his last 10 games.

Oleksandr Kovliar has made at least 1 three-pointer in eight of his last nine games.

Kovliar has collected at least 1 steal in six of his last seven games.

Gabrielius Maldunas has collected at least 1 steal in eight of his last nine games.

Dovis Bickauskis has had at least 1 steal in six of his last seven games.

Martynas Varnas has scored in double figures in nine of his last 10 games.

Varnas has made at least three-pointer in 10 of his last 11 games.

Varnas has had PIRs in double figures in five of his last six games.

 

**Player Records against Opponent**

Vytenis Lipkevicius posted his career high in 3-pointers made with 3 for 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys against Veolia Towers Hamburg on november 6, 2024.

Grantas Vasiliauskas posted his career high in Total rebounds with 4 for 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys against Veolia Towers Hamburg on november 6, 2024.

Oleksandr Kovliar posted his career high in Assists with 8 for 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys against Veolia Towers Hamburg on november 6, 2024.

 

**Team Record**

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys recorded its highest team Index Rating total in EuroCup play this century, 123, against Veolia Towers Hamburg on november 6, 2024.

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys recorded its highest team Blocks total in EuroCup play this season, 4, against Veolia Towers Hamburg on november 6, 2024.

 

**Season Rankings**

Gabrielius Maldunas is ranked eighth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Steals with 1,6 per game.

Georgios Kalaitzakis is ranked eighth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Free Throws Made with 4,1 per game.

Grantas Vasiliauskas is ranked seventh among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 2-pointers % with 72,7% per game.

Game News

Two eliminated teams have just pride to play for – and avoiding a last-placed finish – as Hamburg (3-12) hosts Lietkabelis (4-11). 

Game Notes and Facts: Hamburg vs. Lietkabelis

Veolia Towers Hamburg v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2025-01-21T18:30:00.000Z)

The hosts boast the second-best offense in the league, averaging 88.5 points per game behind 17.4 points and 7 assists per game from [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/), who again excelled in [last week’s win over Reyer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cluj-shocks-venice-on-the-road-77-88/). But Turk Telekom is not an easy team to score against, especially close to the basket where it has allowed opponents to convert just 50.8% of two-pointers – second-lowest in the competition. And the Turkish team has its own offensive powerhouse in [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/), who netted a season-high 39 points to give his team a [99-80 win over Cluj](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-roars-back-to-brush-cluj-aside-99-80/) in November.

GAME NOTES

\- Turk Telekom blasted Cluj 99-80 when they met in Round 7 behind 39 points from Anthony Brown.

\- The 99 points Turk Telekom scored against Cluj in Round 7 is a season-high.

\- Anthony Brown set club records in scoring (39 points) and three-pointers made and posted the second-highest PIR (45) in club history in Round 7 against Cluj.

\- This marks the second straight season in which these teams have met. Last season they split their games with each team winning at home.

\- Turk Telekom guard Kenneth "Speedy" Smith was a teammate of Cluj big men Mareks Mejeris and Zach Hankins during the 2022-23 season with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem. Smith and Hankins also played together there last season.

GAME FACTS

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca

 

**Streaks**

Cluj sharpshooter Sasu Salin has made at least 1 three-pointer in 13 of his last 14 games.

Salin had at least 1 steal in four of his last five games.

Zavier Simpson has scored more than 10 points and had PIRs of at least 10 in 14 of the 15 games this season.

Simpson dished at least 5 assists in 14 of his 15 games.

D.J. Seeley has made 26 consecutive free throws.

Gediminas Orelik has made at least 1 three-pointer in 29 of his last 30 games, a streak that dates back to January 2023.

De'Shawn Stephens has had PIRs in double figures in four of his last five games.

Stephens has scored in double figures in four of his last five games.

 

**Player Records against Opponent**

Gediminas Orelik posted his career high in Points with 31 for 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys against Turk Telekom Ankara on november 14, 2023.

Gediminas Orelik posted his career high in 3-pointers made with 8 for 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys against Turk Telekom Ankara on november 14, 2023.

Patrick Richard posted his career high in Total rebounds with 8 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca against Turk Telekom Ankara on october 4, 2023.

Zavier Simpson posted his career high in Defensive rebounds with 6 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca against Turk Telekom Ankara on november 6, 2024.

Zach Hankins posted his career high in Index Rating with 23 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca against Turk Telekom Ankara on november 6, 2024.

Zach Hankins posted his career high in Points with 20 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca against Turk Telekom Ankara on november 6, 2024.

Zach Hankins posted his career high in 2-pointers made with 8 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca against Turk Telekom Ankara on november 6, 2024.

Zach Hankins posted his career high in Free throws made with 4 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca against Turk Telekom Ankara on november 6, 2024.

Zach Hankins posted his career high in Time played with 31:11 for U-BT Cluj-Napoca against Turk Telekom Ankara on november 6, 2024.

 

**Season Rankings**

Zavier Simpson is ranked third among qualified EuroCup players this season in average index rating with 20,4 per game.

Zavier Simpson is ranked third among qualified EuroCup players this season in average points with 17,4 per game.

Zach Hankins is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Total Rebounds with 6 per game.

Zach Hankins is ranked 10th among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Defensive Rebounds with 4,1 per game.

Zavier Simpson is ranked first among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Assists with 7 per game.

Zavier Simpson is ranked third among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Free Throws Made with 5,1 per game.

Zavier Simpson is ranked sixth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 2-pointers made with 4,9 per game.

Zach Hankins is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 2-pointers made with 4,5 per game.

De'Shawn Stephens is ranked second among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 2-pointers % with 76,5% per game.

Sasu Salin is ranked seventh among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers made with 2,4 per game.

Zavier Simpson is ranked fifth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Field goals made with 5,7 per game.

De'Shawn Stephens is ranked first among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Field goals % with 74,7% per game.

De'Shawn Stephens is ranked fourth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average True Shooting % with 69% per game.

 

**All-time Rankings**

Dennis Seeley is ranked eighth on the all-time EuroCup charts with 1267 points for his career.

Sasu Salin is ranked fifth on the all-time EuroCup charts with 214 3-pointers made for his career.

Gediminas Orelik is ranked sixth on the all-time EuroCup charts with 211 3-pointers made for his career.

 

 

### Turk Telekom Ankara

 

**Streaks**

Anthony Brown has scored at least 10 points in 14 of his last 15 games.

Brown has made at least 1 three-pointer in 12 straight games.

Braian Angola has scored at least 15 points, has made at least 1 three-pointer in each of his last six games.

Angola has had a PIR of 16 or more in five of his last six games.

Kyle Alexander has had at least 1 blocked shot in nine of his last 10 games.

Yoan Makoundou has had PIRs of 13 or more in six of his last seven games.

Makoundou has blocked at least 1 shot in 11 of his last 12 games.

Makoundou has had multiple blocks in five straight games.

Kenneth Smith has made at least 1 three-point shot in six of his last seven games.

Smith has made multiple triples in four straight games.

Ismet Akpinar has had at least 1 steal in five of his last six games.

Vasilis Charalampopoulos has made 13 consecutive free throws.

 

**Player Records against Opponent**

Anthony Brown posted his career high in Index Rating with 45 for Turk Telekom Ankara against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Anthony Brown posted his career high in Points with 39 for Turk Telekom Ankara against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Anthony Brown posted his career high in Assists with 7 for Turk Telekom Ankara against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Anthony Brown posted his career high in Time played with 38:55 for Turk Telekom Ankara against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Yoan Makoundou posted his career high in Free throws made with 8 for Turk Telekom Ankara against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Javon Bess posted his career high in Defensive rebounds with 4 for Turk Telekom Ankara against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Melih Tunca posted his career high in Assists with 4 for Turk Telekom Ankara against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

 

**Team Record**

Turk Telekom Ankara recorded its highest team Index Rating total in EuroCup play this season, 118, against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Turk Telekom Ankara recorded its highest team Points total in EuroCup play this season, 99, against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Turk Telekom Ankara recorded its highest team Assists total in EuroCup play this season, 23, against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Turk Telekom Ankara individual single-game club record of 39 Points was set by Anthony Brown, against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

Turk Telekom Ankara individual single-game club record of 8 3-pointers made was set by Anthony Brown, against U-BT Cluj-Napoca on november 6, 2024.

 

**Season Rankings**

Anthony Brown is ranked eighth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average index rating with 17,2 per game.

Kyle Alexander is ranked ninth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average index rating with 16,3 per game.

Anthony Brown is ranked second among qualified EuroCup players this season in average points with 18,5 per game.

Kyle Alexander is ranked second among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Total Rebounds with 7,1 per game.

Kyle Alexander is ranked fourth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Offensive Rebounds with 2,6 per game.

Kyle Alexander is ranked third among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Defensive Rebounds with 4,5 per game.

Kenneth Smith is ranked eighth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Assists with 4,9 per game.

Kyle Alexander is ranked first among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Blocks with 2,2 per game.

Yoan Makoundou is ranked third among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Blocks with 1,5 per game.

Anthony Brown is ranked second among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers made with 2,8 per game.

Anthony Brown is ranked eighth among qualified EuroCup players this season in average 3-pointers % with 48,3% per game.

Anthony Brown is ranked first among qualified EuroCup players this season in average Field goals made with 6,8 per game.

A key battle in Group B will see a direct clash between two of the six teams fighting for second place as Cluj (8-7) hosts Turk Telekom (9-6). 

Game Notes and Facts: Cluj-Napoca vs. Turk Telekom

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Turk Telekom Ankara (2025-01-21T17:00:00.000Z)

Munich Qualifier FIRST-PLACE Game Highlights I U18 Next Gen Team Munich vs U18 Valencia Basket U18

U18 Valencia Basket v U18 Next Gen Team Munich (2025-01-19T15:45:00.000Z)

Arminas Vilkas was named Most Valuable Player of the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich after helping the U18 Next Gen Team Munich finish in first place

Arminas Vilkas takes home MVP for Next Gen team 

[Arminas Vilkas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/arminas-vilkas/012982/) was named Most Valuable Player of the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich after helping the U18 Next Gen Team Munich finish in first place.

Vilkas collected 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steal and 5 blocks for an index rating of of 36 in the 88-100 win over U18 Valencia Basket. He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by NGM teammate [Mathias Vazquez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/mathias-vazquez/013598/), [Tomas Talcis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/tomas-talcis/013530/) of Valencia, [Ignacio Campoy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/ignacio-campoy/012803/) of U18 Real Madrid and U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana’s [Mark Morano](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/ngt/players/mark-morano/012331/).

For the tournament, the Lithuanian Vilkas averaged 9.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocks and a 19.2 PIR. He ranked third in PIR, fourth in rebounds and second in both blocks and offensive rebounds (3.5).

Arminas Vilkas 

Mathias Vazquez

Tomas Talcis 

Ignacio Campoy 

Mark Morano

Vazquez tallied 19 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block for a PIR of 19 in the first-place game. He averaged 9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 blocks for an 11.8 PIR over the weekend.

Talcis did all he could for Valencia against NGM but his 22 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist for a PIR of 24 were not enough. He collected 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steal and 16.2 PIR. He was fifth in PIR, sixth in points and fifth with 2.5 offensive rebounds.

Morano led the tournament in scoring with 21.0 points and was first in PIR at 21.5 while also going for 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals.

Campoy collected 11.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals for a PIR of 18.8. He ranked fourth in PIR, third in rebounds, first in steals and third with 3.0 offensive rebounds.

The Lithuanian shined brightest in the first-place game 

Munich Qualifier THIRD-PLACE Game Highlights I U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs U18 Real Madrid

U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v U18 Real Madrid (2025-01-19T13:30:00.000Z)

U18 Next Gen Team Munich is the winner of the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich tournament after defeating U18 Valencia Basket 88-100 in the first-place game

Next Gen Team Munich claims first place at NextGen EuroLeague Munich with win over Valencia 

U18 Next Gen Team Munich is the winner of the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich tournament after defeating U18 Valencia Basket 88-100 in the first-place game. NGM became the second selection team to win a qualifier following last year’s NextGen Paris event. Mathias Vazquez scored a team-high 19 points with 6 rebounds, Arminas Vilkas and Guillermo Del Pino both scored 16 points and Reino Saivosalmi added 13 points. Valencia missed a chance to win its second qualifier in club history after it had claimed first place at the NextGen Valencia in 2018-19. Tomas Talcis had 22 points for Valencia and Pau Torrens had 15 points, but the team’s two leading scorers - Javier Viguer and Nicolas Gomez - were held to a combined 13 points - 14.7 points below their combined average.

NGM’s defense was strong to start, giving up just one basket in building a 2-9 lead over 3 minutes. The selection team got two scores from Vilkas and back-to-back three-pointers from Saivosalmi for a 12-27 advantage. Dogus Balbay’s team led 17-31 after 10 minutes.

Conrado Heilmann opened the second quarter with a three-pointer and the Spanish side was able to score a bit more consistently and the team’s second-leading scorer Viguer finally scored his first points to make it 24-35. Another Vazquez three-pointer helped the cushion grow to 24-39. Valencia fought back into the game thanks to two Victor Iglesias three-pointers and 7 points by Talcis to close within 40-43. Talcis added another three-point play and Iglesias put Valencia back in front 47-46. NGM responded with nearly 2 minutes of tough defense while Ricards Aizpurs hitting a triple and Vilkas converted a three-point play for a 47-54 lead. And the teams went into the locker room with Valencia down 49-54.

Aizpurs hit a triple to start the second half but Valencia went on a 9-0 run to reclaim the lead 58-57. A Torrens triple had Valencia up 63-61 and it was 65-65 with under 4 minutes left in the third quarter. NGM scored the next nine points and was up 70-77 after 30 minutes.

After a Vilkas basket, Torrens scored the next 5 points to get Valencia as close as 75-79. NGM showed its offensive firepower with a 2-10 surge as Del Pino and Saivosalmi hit three-pointers and it was 77-89. Valencia would not give up and made it 84-90 with about 4 minutes to play. Valencia stuck within striking range with a Talcis three-point play and an Alex Blanco three-pointer to pull the deficit to 88-95. But Del Pino delivered the dagger three-pointer with 57 seconds to play.

NGM becomes second selection team to win a qualifier 

U18 Real Madrid bounced back from its historic loss in the final group stage game and comfortably beat U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 82-98 to clinch third place at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich

Real routs Cedevita to take third place 

U18 Real Madrid bounced back from its historic loss in the final group stage game and comfortably beat U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 82-98 to clinch third place at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich. Real pulled away for good with a 0-18 run spanning the first and second quarters. Ignacio Campoy scored 23 points with 8 rebounds, Fabian Kayser scored 17 points and Adrians Andzevs had 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Mark Hukic nailed 6 three-pointers in scoring a team-high 20 points in a losing effort. 

Cedevita was ahead 10-6 and it was 12-10 when Real scored 6 straight points. The Balkan side trimmed the deficit to 16-18 only to see Real reel off 11 straight points for a 16-29 lead after 10 minutes. The run continued until Real led 16-36. Another run of 8 points increased the margin to 28-52 and the Spanish powerhouse reached the 30-point lead mark at 33-63. Real went into the halftime break up 36-65. 

Cedevita tried to get back into the game with 7 straight points to make it 43-68 and it finished the third quarter with an 8-2 spurt to make it 55-76 after three quarters. Cedevita could not get closer than 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Two-time reigning champion bounces back from loss in style 

U18 FC Bayern Munich finished the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich in fifth place after defeating U18 SC Derby Podgorica 77-64

Bayern grabs fifth place after beating Derby 

U18 FC Bayern Munich finished the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich in fifth place after defeating U18 SC Derby Podgorica 77-64. The game was tight for the first three quarters until Bayern pulled away in the final frame. Nikolas Sermpezis poured in 21 points and Andrija Susic added 11 points. Derby won just one game for sixth place. Ognjen Brajovic and Marko Popovic both scored 10 points.

The game was close for most of the first quarter with Bayern up 14-9. Derby went on a 0-8 run to take a 14-17 lead but the game was tied 17-17 after 10 minutes. Bayern went scoreless for nearly 4 minutes and fell behind 19-25. The hosts went on an 8-0 surge and it was 33-27 at halftime.

Derby stayed close and then scored six straight points and took a 39-42 advantage. Bayern however led 49-48 after three quarters. Bayern took control of the game with a 9-0 run to lead 60-50. Derby made it a 5-point game but Bayern again led by double figures at 69-59 with 3 minutes left to decide the game.

The hosts finish the tournament with two wins 

U18 FC Bayern Munich v U18 SC Derby Podgorica (2025-01-19T11:15:00.000Z)

U18 Aris Midea Thessaloniki secured seventh place at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich by defeating U18 Virtus Segafredo Bologna 73-62. Aris controlled the game throughout for its second victory of the event. Vasileios Kazamias led Aris with 16 points and 6 assists, Vassilis Pourlidas had 15 points and Nikolaos Keramitsopoulos added 14 points. Matteo Lenci was Virtus’ leading scorer with 24 points. Virtus did not win a game in Munich. 

 

Pourlidas scored 8 points as Aris opened a 17-4 lead and the margin was 14 points at 20-6 before the first quarter ended with the Greek side ahead 20-7. Virtus tried to fight back into the game and was down 22-15 and then 29-23. Aris responded and led 37-25 at the break.

 

Aris had the better start to the second half and extended the cushion to 19 points at 49-30. Virtus managed to cut the deficit to 52-38 but the score was 54-38 after 30 minutes. Virtus was still not finished, multiple times pulling within eight points, the last one being 67-59 inside the final 2 minutes. But Pourlidas nailed a dagger three-pointer to decide the game.

Greek club picks up two victories in tournament 

Aris grabs seventh place with comfortable win over Virtus 

U18 Aris Midea Thessaloniki v U18 Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-01-19T09:00:00.000Z)

Caspar Vossenberg accepting his roles on different teams for FC Bayern Munich Basket basketball at the NextGen EuroLeague

Caspar Vossenberg accepting his roles on different teams for Bayern 

Caspar Vossenberg has been following the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague for the last two years and he was excited to play this year at the continent’s top youth club competition. Despite being two years younger than the rest of the players, the FC Bayern Munich talent has shown why he is one of the next big hopes in German basketball.

Vossenberg was born in 2009, making him available to play in the next two editions of the NextGen EuroLeague. But he hasn’t played like a youngster not ready for the moment. He is averaged 15.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.0 steals through his first three games for an average performance index rating of 15.0.

“My expectations were high since it’s the biggest U18 tournament in Europe. The competition is very good and you can tell that every team gives their all and wants to win,” Vossenberg said.

Vossenberg has followed the last two years of the competition, admitting even watching the Friday games while at school before taking in the weekend games. And he also watched the NextGen Finals in Berlin last year.

Vossenberg is spending his first season with Bayern, havinf made the move to southern Germany on a multi-year deal after playing 2023-24 with German second division team ART Giants Dusseldorf.

It was there that he learned his first real lessons in taking different roles with different teams as he starred for Dusselfdorf’s U16 JBBL team and also practiced with the pro team in the ProA.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="nl" dir="ltr">Okay Caspar Vossenberg, DAMN 🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NextGenEuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NextGenEuroLeague</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/adidasbasketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#adidasbasketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/31IAlxILKt">pic.twitter.com/31IAlxILKt</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1880644516073677000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I learned just how much of a different level the ProA is compared to the JBBL. But I also learned how to accept two different roles. You can be the leader in the JBBL, but you can’t show up in the ProA and just say give me the ball and do what you want. You have to take a different role and accept it,” said Vossenberg, who averaged 24.3 points and 12.4 rebounds in the U16 league but did not make an appearance in the ProA.

Vossenberg started with football like almost all German youngsters while growing up in Duisburg and was about 5 or 6 years old when he decided to play basketball. He says he was 12 or 13 when he first dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player.

He joined Düsseldorf in 2023 but then after last season was looking for another club and one of his main choices was Bayern.

“When my parents and I were in Munich, we didn’t need much time to decide that we will go to Munich. When we were there it was pretty clear I would transfer to Munich,” he remembered. “One of the most important reasons was the FC Bayern Campus. It’s crazy that you can live there in the dormitories. It’s giant, big rooms, good food and other requirements you need as an athlete. On top of that, I had heard positive things about FC Bayern.”

Vossenberg also liked the idea that Bayern would give him a chance to play in different teams over the course of his development. This is his final season at the U16 level and he has averaged 28.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in three games in the JBBL. He has been worth 5.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in the U19 NBBL league and has also 1.9 points in 7 minutes in seven games in the third division ProB.

“You can see the difference of the levels between U16, U19 and then third division. I have a different role in each team - which I would like to change long term. That would be important for my career because it’s important for me to take different roles in the higher level teams,” he said.

I have a different role in each team - which I would like to change long term. That would be important for my career

Of course, there is also Bayern’s pro team that plays in the German League and the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. And the management has shown a commitment to play young players. Ivan Kharchenkov, who starred for Bayern last season at the NextGen EuroLeague, is averaging more than 7 minutes per game in the EuroLeague. And fellow 2006-born talent Ivan Volf also made his EuroLeague debut at 18 years of age.

But being in Munich also has had its challenges for Vossenberg. Whereas Dusseldorf was less than 30 kilometers from his hometown of Duisburg, Munich is nearly 650 kilometers away.

“It’s really far away from home, and you have to leave all your family and friends back home. But that was not going to stop me from transferring because it would get in the way of my dream. So I decided to leave everything behind and start the next step of my career here,” he said,

Vossenberg also has already made his first in-roads in the German youth national team ranks. He played last spring in the famous U18 national team competition Albert Schweitzer Tournament for a German U17 team. And he is expected to be one of the leaders of the German team this summer at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025. Vossenberg is part of a very highly talented 2009 generation, including Fabian Kayser, who is also playing at the NextGen EuroLeague Munich tournament with U18 Real Madrid, Roko Jerkic, Djordje Klaric, Jona Drücke and Lucai Anderson.

“I think it’s mega cool that our 2009 generation is so strong. Of course, our goal is to qualify for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup and also win a medal this year,” Vossenberg said of the U16 EuroBasket, from which the top five teams book their tickets to the 2026 U17 World Cup. “But it’s important for us to have a good 2009 generation in general for German basketball. And it is fun to have a strong generation and play with the best players from your country.”

And to have another role to play and figure out how he fits within the team - just like he has started doing in earnest in the last two seasons.

The 2009-born talent is one of Bayern’s leaders already at the U19 level domestically

Watch LIVE: Day 3 of NextGen EuroLeague in Munich

U18 Valencia Basket and U18 Next Gen Team Munich will battle for the crown at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague 2024-25, the second of four Next Gen qualifying tournaments, which is taking place this weekend at BMW Park in Munich. The winner of Sunday’s game between the two teams with 3-0 records will book a ticket to the NextGen Finals.

**Sunday, January 19, 2025**

7th place: U18 Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. U18 Virtus Segafredo Bologna (10:00 CET)

5th place: U18 FC Bayern Munich vs. U18 SC Derby Podgorica (12:15 CET)

3rd place: U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. U18 Real Madrid (14:30 CET)

1st place: U18 Valencia Basket vs. U18 Next Gen Team Munich (16:45 CET)

The final day of the tournament in Munich is all set up

NGT Munich wins first place at Next Gen qualifier

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Look back at all the action from Round 21 and 22 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

Top 10 photos of the week: Rounds 21 and 22

U18 Real Madrid vs U18 Next Gen Team Munich | Day 2 Next Gen Munich Qualifier Highlights

U18 Real Madrid v U18 Next Gen Team Munich (2025-01-18T19:15:00.000Z)

Watch LIVE: Day 2 of NextGen EuroLeague in Munich

U18 Valencia Basket and U18 Next Gen Team Munich will be battling for the crown at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague 2024-25, the second of four Next Gen qualifying tournaments which is taking place this weekend at the BMW Park in Munich. The winner of Sunday’s game between two teams with a 3-0 record will book a ticket to the NextGen Finals.

**Sunday, January 19, 2025**                                      

7th place: U18 Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. U18 Virtus Segafredo Bologna (10:00 CET)

5th place: U18 FC Bayern Munich vs. U18 SC Derby Podgorica (12:15 CET)

3rd place: U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. U18 Real Madrid (14:30 CET)

1st place: U18 Valencia Basket vs. U18 Next Gen Team Munich (16:45 CET)

Day 2 of NextGen in Munich: Valencia, NGM into first-place game

U18 Next Gen Team Munich surprised two-time reigning champion U18 Real Madrid 58-63 to lock up a spot in the first-place game of the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich.

Next Gen Team surprises Real, reaches first-place game

U18 Next Gen Team Munich surprised two-time reigning champion U18 Real Madrid 58-63 to lock up a spot in the first-place game of the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Munich. The game was close throughout NGM ended Real’s streak of winning consecutive qualifying tournaments at 11. Real also had won its last 19 NextGen games dating back to the NextGen Finals in 2022 in Belgrade. Gabriel Veras paced NGM with 13 points and Felipe Minzer chipped in 10 points.

NGM will face U18 Valencia Basket in Sunday’s first-place game. Real Madrid, which has won the last two NextGen trophies and five in total, was led by Fabian Kayser’s 12 points.

NGM had the first four points and held Real scoreless for nearly 4 minutes before a Maximo Garcia-Plata score. Real was down 5-6 when Arminas Vilkas and Ricards Aizpurs both hit three-pointers for a 7-12 NGM lead. Veras added a triple for the selection team and it was 12-19. And the score was 14-19 after 10 minutes. The two remained close and the lead changed hands four in the middle of the second quarter and NGM built a 6-point lead 26-32. And the score was 28-33 at halftime. 

Real struggled to score early in the second half and the cushion was 30-37. Declan Duru scored 5 points to pull within 38-40. But NGM led 42-45 after 30 minutes. A Kayser three-pointer tied the game 45-45 and a Garcia-Plata three-pointer put the Spanish powerhouse up 52-49. And it was 56-53 when NGM had a run that ended with a Veras triple to make it 56-61. Kayser trimmed the gap to 58-61 but the young 2009-born talent missed a triple with 14 seconds that would have tied the game. And Veras added a free throw as Real’s streak ended.

NGM ends Real’s streak of winning qualifying tournaments at 11

U18 Valencia Basket vs U18 Bayern Munich | Day 2 Next Gen Munich Qualifier Highlights

U18 Valencia Basket v U18 FC Bayern Munich (2025-01-18T14:45:00.000Z)