Name: Top 10 Plays | Round 13 | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

The difference between three-pointers made and three-pointers allowed can shed some light on results in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Stats review: Diving into three-point differential 

Round 19 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague saw [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/roster/red/?season=2024-25) match its win total from last season with [a narrow 75-73 road victory ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/resilient-crvena-zvezda-edges-out-baskonia-73-75/)over [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/roster/bas/?season=2024-25) in Buesa Arena.  In a low-scoring affair, Zvezda held Baskonia to 6-of-28 shooting from beyond the arc to overcome a difficult shooting night of its own.

It is Zvezda's perimeter defense that is at the root of its improvement year-over-year along with a bit of karma as well. Last season, Zvezda allowed 38% shooting from beyond the arc when it *was* in position to close out jump shooters. This season it has allowed an outlier 25% when getting a hand up in catch-and-shoot situations. Despite returning eight contributors from last season, the club has found itself on both extremes over a two-year period. A shift in priorities and personnel has been key as it has focused on guarding the three-point line at the expense of rotations inside, but the difference has been greater than the sum of its parts and the driving force behind its success to this point.   

As the table above suggests, Zvezda is one of the five teams that has built a distinct advantage on the scoreboard from beyond the arc this season, albeit among the second tier of that group. The EuroLeague is often a make-or-miss league with many games hinging on a couple of bounces one way or the other and the Serbian club has put itself on the right side of those bounces and reaped the rewards after a season on the wrong side.

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/roster/zal/?season=2024-25) and [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25) are unsurprising leaders here, though the margin they have sustained over their opponents — more than 3 makes per game — is striking. While Zvezda has done a dramatically better job contesting shots and seen the toll that takes on the rhythm shooters find on other attempts, Zalgiris and Fenerbahce often take three-point shots away entirely. The way they close out has stood out across the league this season with Zalgiris ranking second in overall defensive efficiency as it not only brings great energy to the perimeter, but manages to hold up well around the rim in spite of those efforts too.

Perhaps fittingly, Zvezda’s defensive efforts have put it on par with this season’s two more aggressive three-point shooting teams and its other biggest surprises. [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/roster/prs/?season=2024-25) and [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/roster/mun/?season=2024-25) have fired away at a historic rate from beyond the arc this season with that strategy fueling Paris’s impressive debut campaign and Bayern’s equally impressive turnaround from a year ago. Paris is an intriguing fit here given it has shot a 15th-ranked 34% from beyond the arc to this point as it still seemingly has some room to climb.

Unsurprisingly, many teams have fallen right around even this season in three-point differential, but some of this season’s biggest surprises have been rooted in their ability to build an advantage along the arc. 

There has been a rise in post-up usage and efficiency in the EuroCup this season led by Umana Reyer Venice

Stats review: Which teams are using post play to their advantage

Round 13 of the BKT EuroCup saw [Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/roster/vnc/?season=2024-25) hand previously undefeated Valencia Basket its second straight loss to rise back into the playoff picture following some early-season struggles. One source of momentum for Reyer over the last month and a half and a contributing factor to their hard-fought victory has been their ability to play through the post.

It is no secret that modern offenses have pivoted away from post play — while only 1 of 20 teams created less than five possessions per game playing out of post-ups during the 2016-17 season, half the league has fallen under that mark this year. The driving factor in that decline has been obvious in previous seasons as teams scored just 0.86 points per post-up possession in the three years leading up to this one, making it a real challenge to justify throwing the ball inside with teams attempting and making more three-pointers.

This season has seen a renaissance on the block as teams have scored 0.97 points per post-up possession — a massive jump from recent seasons and a little higher than the league average for overall offensive efficiency. That number doesn’t even include passes out of the post, which tend to be quality looks. There’s no specific offensive approach driving the change either, both teams with the personnel to play through the post consistently and those doing so in specific instances have found significantly more success doing so to this point this year. Field goal percentages are up, turnovers are down — there are multiple factors at play.

All of that circles back to Reyer, which has nearly doubled its post usage in the stretch following its sluggish start and ascended to lead all teams in points created through post ups as the table above suggests. That covers not only the points scored in back-to-the-basket situations but those created by passes out of back-to-the-basket situations as well. 

Perhaps the least surprising team on this list is [Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/roster/jov/?season=2024-25), which has been the most consistently balanced offense in the EuroCup over the last decade. The presence of veteran [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) has bolstered the efficiency of those efforts in recent years and he and [Artem Pustovyi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/artem-pustovyi/004834/) have both shot over 51% on the block to rank second and first in individual post scoring, respectively, this season. 

Reyer is the only other team on this list to rival the efficiency of Joventut’s one-on-one scorers though several teams like [U-BT Cluj Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25) and [ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/roster/ulm/?season=2024-25) have been in the same tier on a much smaller volume of chances. [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/) has been very effective using his touch inside while [Aamir Simms](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/aamir-simms/011928/) has been a consistent weapon and [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/) has punished certain matchups as well. 

[Trefl Sopot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/trefl-sopot/roster/tso/?season=2024-25) falls in the middle of the road in one-on-one efficiency but has been extremely effective passing out of the post with its shooters and finishers consistently paying off the efforts of [Geoffrey Groselle](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/geoffrey-groselle/013296/) and [Marcus Weathers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-weathers/013297/). 

[Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) and [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/) give [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25) quality play on the interior while [Nikola Tanaskovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nikola-tanaskovic/005637/) has been the most effective of several interior options for [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/?season=2024-25). Though many of the teams above rely on no fewer than two back-to-the-basket weapons for balance, the notable absence from this list, [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25), relies almost exclusively on [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/). Motley leads the EuroCup scoring or creating over 6 points per game out of the post and that has accounted for close to three-quarters of the team’s post-production when he’s been active. 

Post play may never regain the real estate it held in professional basketball even a decade ago, but it has made a notable comeback in the EuroCup this season and that’s a trend worth keeping an eye on moving forward.

Despite several backcourt absences and a three-game losing streak, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul did not let its fans down in this Istanbul derby against Anadolu Efes

Fenerbahce turns problem into opportunity 

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25) opened 2025 with a statement victory, [downing Anadolu Efes Istanbul 84-76](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-downs-efes-in-rivalry-series-matchup-84-76/) at Ulker Sports and Event Hall. Despite several backcourt absences and a three-game losing streak with some ugly performances, Fenerbahce did not let its fans down in this derby. In fact, [Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/jasikevicius-saras/?season=E2024)'s team played one of its best defensive games of the season.

Efes was limited to 36 second-half points. After the break, the visiting team made just 2 of 12 shots from beyond the arc and dished just 3 assists. Despite being without [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/wade-baldwin-out-with-hamstring-injury/), [Arturs Zagars](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/arturs-zagars-fenerbahce-beko-foot-injury/) and [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-confirms-the-worst-scottie-wilbekin-has-torn-his-acl/), many players stepped up and stood out in this important game, in which Fenerbahce also grabbed the potential head-to-head tie-break advantage over Efes.

[Skylar Mays](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/skylar-mays/013396/) had his first start after coming off the bench in his previous 12 EuroLeague apperances. He tallied 9 points and a PIR of 11 after previously averaging 3.2 points and a PIR of 2.2. Mays was not the only player to take a step forward as [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/), [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) and [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/) all had extraordinary performances.

Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in Round 19 against Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

Guduric's all-around performance in Round 19

Guduric had a superb all-around performance with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists (matching his career-best) and a season-high PIR of 30. Hall also contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 0 turnovers. Hall and Guduric combined for 13 of the team's 19 assists against just 9 turnovers.

"We struggled lately. We had to come out and try to defend our home court. And we played a lot of times against Efes, so we know them pretty well," Guduric said after the game. "I think we did a good job defensively. We were talking a lot about defense throughout the week. I think defensively we were good and it's good to start the new year with the win, definitely."

Biberovic did what he does best: shoot the ball effectively. He made 5 of 8 three-pointers on his way to 17 points, which matched his best scoring effort of the season.

Tarik Biberovic buried 5 three-pointers in Round 19.

Biberovic shoots the light out in Round 19

"I shoot and shoot, you know what I say, I never lose my confidence. Today I felt great, and that's all I can say. I'm just focused on my team, to be honest, not on my performance," Biberovic.

Both Guduric and Biberovic highlighted their team's defensive effort in the second half. And as it often happens, defense led to a fluid offense in which all of the available perimeter players contributed.

Game News

"At halftime, we talked about it. We had to be more physical defensively and tried to convert those stops in points in the second half and we succeeded in that," Biberovic said. "We were way better defensively, way more physical. We started switching and [Khem \[Birch\]](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khem-birch/007182/) was doing a great job defensively on the smalls, and the guards were boxing out. We really did what coach wanted and this is the result."

"I think it comes from defense, just getting stops and running in fastbreak, being aggressive, having that driving mentality. We always talk about it and that's it," Guduric concluded.

Game Videos

Without its three main ballhandlers, Fenerbahce found answers from its healthy guards 


Fenerbahce turns problem into opportunity

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-01-03T17:45:00.000Z)

Look back at all the action in Round 13 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Round 13

Look back at all the action from Round 13 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Walter Tavares of Real Madrid shoots over Bayern's Johannes Voigtmann

Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce and Dan Oturu of Efes fight for the ball

Omer Yurtseven of Panathinaikos dunks over Virtus's Nicola Akele

Jabari Parker of Barcelona and Paris's Kevarrius Hayes and Yakuba Ouattara battle for a loose ball

Sterling Brown of Partizan drives against Maccabi's Mariol Shayok

Yanni Wetzell of ALBA and Monaco's Georgios Papagiannis vie for the ball

Paris Lee of ASVEL turns the corner against the defense of Milan's Nico Mannion 

Donta Hall of Baskonia dunks in front of Crvena Zvezda's Isaiah Canaan

Moustapha Fall of Olympiacos goes up with the ball despite the defense of Zalgiris's Lonnie Walker

Tyrique Jones of Partizan emotes as he dunks against Maccabi

Look back at all the action from Round 19 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

Top 10 photos of the week: Round 19

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana added depth in the paint by signing forward Danilo Tasic until the end of the season, the club announced on Saturday. 

Cedevita adds big man Tasic to frontcourt


Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana added depth in the paint by signing forward [Danilo Tasic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/sr/ngt/players/danilo-tasic/002555/) until the end of the season, the club announced on Saturday. Tasic (2.07 meters, 31 years old) arrives from FMP Zeleznik of Serbia, where he averaged 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in the ABA League actions. He also had 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the Basketball Champions League.

Tasic has started his career with Konstantin in his Serbian hometown of Nis. He then went on to play with the Romanian clubs Dinamo Bucuresti, CSO Voluntari and Pitesti, AEK Larnaca in Cyprus, Stal Ostrow in Poland, Levski in Bulgaria, SC Derby in Montenegro, and last season he played with Borac Cacak, back in Serbia. Now, he will have an opportunity to make his BKT EuroCup debut this coming week when Cedevita hosts Aris Midea Thessaloniki.

Another great performance in big victory has earned Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem guard Jarad Harper MVP of the Round honor, his fourth of the season.

Round 13 MVP: Jared Harper, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem

Another great performance in big victory has earned Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem guard [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/harper-jared/011970/) MVP of the Round honor, his fourth of the season.

Harper paces Jerusalem to a come-from-behind 90-85 win over Aris Thessaloniki with 29 points, making 2 of 3 two-pointers, 3 of 5 threes and 16 of 17 free throws. Harper also had 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 blocks, while drawing 10 fouls. It all accumulated to PIR of 38, the highest of all players in Round 13.

Right behind Harper was [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brown-anthony/009025/) of Turk Telekom Ankara who had 37 PIR in his team's 98-89 win over Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse. Brown made 4 of 6 two-pointers and 8 of 9 triples, while also collecting 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a block. [Marek Mejeris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mareks-mejeris/005714/) of U-BT Cluj-Napoca had a PIR of 27 in a 104-83 win over Veolia Towers Hamburg, as he finished the game with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Next best PIR, 25, belongs to another Turk Telekom player, [Olivier Hanlan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/olivier-hanlan/006598/), who had 23 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 9 drawn fouls. Four players had a PIR of 22 this round: Cluj's [Adam Mokoka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/adam-mokoka/012698/) and [De'Shawn Stephens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/de-shawn-stephens/006618/), Hamburg's [Kur Kuath](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kuath-kur/013313/) and ratiopharm Ulm's [Thomas Klepeisz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/thomas-klepeisz/010582/).

### Individual highs: Anthony Brown, Turk Telekom, 32 points

Anthony Brown led all scorers with 32 points. Jared Harper is EuroCup's top scorer with 23.3 per game.

[Selom Mawugbe](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/selom-mawugbe/013271/) of Dolomiti Energia Trento had 11 rebounds, the most in Round 13. [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kabengele-mfiondu/012796/) of Umana Reyer Venice averages EuroCup-high 9.5 rebounds.

[Nick Johnson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nick-johnson/007426/) of Trefl Soopt dished 10 assists, more than any player this round. [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/simpson-zavier/013302/) of Cluj is the assists leader with 7.2 per game. Jerusalem's Tarik Phillip tops the steals charts with 2.1 per contest.

As many as 12 different players picked up 3 steals in Round 13.

[Kyle Alexander](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/alexander-kyle/011973/) of Turk Telekom had a round-high 3 blocks. Alexander is the leading shot blocker with 2.0 per game.

[Darral Willis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/darral-willis/profile/010397/) of Aris is the only player with a double-double, having collected 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Harper tied his second-highest PIR of the season.

A personal-best performance in an impressive home victory allowed Omer Yurtseven of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to claim Round 19 MVP honors with a PIR of 34.

Round 19 MVP: Omer Yurtseven, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

A personal-best performance in an impressive home victory allowed [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to claim Round 19 MVP honors with a PIR of 34.

Yurtseven led Panathinaikos to a 111-90 win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna with 27 points on 13-of-16 two-pointers and 1-of-2 free throws. He added 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks and 2 fouls drawn for a PIR of 34, the highest in Round 19. This is the first time that Yurtseven has secured the MVP of the Round accolade in his 29-game Turkish Airlines EuroLeague career, and he is the first Panathinaikos player to take home this award this season.

His teammate [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) had a PIR of 33 in that game, getting 27 points on 5-of-6 two-pointers, 5-of-9 three-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws. He also had 4 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 5 fouls drawn. In the same game, [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) of Virtus amassed a PIR of 33 with 25 points on 4-of-7 two-pointers, 5-of-7 three-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 5 fouls drawn. [Willy Hernangomez ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/)of FC Barcelona and [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, each with a PIR of 30, complete the top individual performances in Round 19. Hernangomez posted 23 points, 10 rebounds and 1 steal in Barcelona’s 79-90 win at Paris Basketball, while Guduric had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals as Fenerbahce downed Anadolu Efes Istanbul 84-76 in this week’s Rivalry Series game.

### Individual highs: Yursteven and Nunn, Panathinaikos, 27 points each

Kendrick Nunn and Omer Yurtseven of Panathinaikos each had 27 points in Round 19. Nunn is also first overall with 20.9 points per game.

[Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) of Real Madrid and Willy Hernangomez of Barcelona led all rebounders by pulling down 10 apiece in this round. Tavares leads the 2024-25 EuroLeague in rebounds with 8.2 boards per night.

[Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) of Barcelona each dished a round-high 8 assists. [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv is this season's assists leader with 8.0 dimes per game.

Six players collected 3 steals apiece in Round 19: [Yanni Wetzell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yanni-wetzell/011934/) of ALBA Berlin, [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) of Partizan, his teammate [Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/), [Nico Mannion](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/niccolo-mannion/011064/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) of Real Madrid, and [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/) of FC Bayern Munich. [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) of Bayern ranks first overall (1.61 spg.), slightly ahead of AS Monaco’s [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) (1.57 spg.).

Yurtseven, [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) of Monaco and [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/) of Partizan each had 3 blocks in Round 19. Tavares (1.368 bpg.) is first in the overall list, followed by [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/) of Panathinaikos (1.364 bpg.). 

Only one player recorded a double-double in this round: Willy Hernangomez (23 points, 10 rebounds).

This is a career-first MVP award for the Greens' center.

Baskonia has confirmed that team captain Tadas Sedekerskis has suffered a thigh injury that will keep him out for an undetermined amount of time.

Baskonia's Tadas Sedekerskis suffers thigh injury

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/) has confirmed that forward [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) is out for an undetermined amount of time after suffering a thigh injury.

Sedekerkis underwent tests after [Baskonia's 73-75 loss to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/resilient-crvena-zvezda-edges-out-baskonia-73-75/), which confirmed that he had done damage to his thigh muscle.

"The tests carried out on Tadas Sedekerskis after the game against Crvena Zvezda have confirmed an injury in the adductor muscles of his left thigh," read Baskonia's statement. 

"The player is already working on his recovery with the club's medical services. His progress will determine the timetable for his return to the team's activities."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Parte médico: Tadas Sedekerskis<br><br>📎 <a href="https://t.co/kHgD8nypa0">https://t.co/kHgD8nypa0</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/jHwFIGNv8B">pic.twitter.com/jHwFIGNv8B</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1875475901548511508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sedekerskis has made 15 appearances for Baskonia this season, averaging 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and a 13.1 PIR.

The Baskonia team captain, now in his seventh EuroLeague campaign, has made 147 appearances in the competition – all for Baskonia.

It occurred during his team's Round 19 defeat to Crvena Zvezda

Be sure to take a look at the best ten plays of the 2024 25 BKT EuroCup Regular Season Round 13!

Top 10 Plays | Round 13 | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup

 Be sure to take a look at the best ten plays of the 2024 25 BKT EuroCup Regular Season Round 13!

Round 19 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague had something for everyone. Check out round's best plays and see who had the best of them!

Top 10 Plays | RS Round 19 | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

 Round 19 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague had something for everyone. Check out round's best plays and see who had the best of them!

Round 19: Top 10 Plays

After one year at Panathinaikos BC, Juancho Hernangómez has returned to Spain by joining Real Madrid.

Juancho Hernangómez heads to Real Madrid

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens is continuing the process of keep the core of its championship-winning team together beyond this season by signing [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) to a two-year extension. Hernangomez (2.06 meters, 29 years old) has penned a new two-year deal, that will keep him with the Greens until the summer 2027.

The announcement of the signing came after one of the best game Hernangomez has played in Panathinaikos jersey, as he tied his career high with 16 points on 3-of-4 three-point shooting, and also pulled own 7 rebounds and had 3 assists in a 20-point win over the visiting Virtus Segafredo Bologna. It improved his season averages to 9.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the Greens who hold a 12-7 in the third place in the standings.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Η ΚΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός AKTOR ανακοινώνει την επέκταση της συνεργασίας της με τον Χουάντσο Ερνανγκόμεθ έως το καλοκαίρι του 2027.<br><br>______________________________________<br><br>Panathinaikos BC AKTOR is pleased to announce the extension of its partnership with Juancho Hernangomez until the… <a href="https://t.co/FKkGBxDtgM">pic.twitter.com/FKkGBxDtgM</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1875289928793542822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Hernangomez joined Panathinaikos ahead of the 2023-24 season, when he ended his seven-year stay in the NBA and came to play in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. He averaged 4.3 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Greens, helping them win the 2023-24 EuroLeague championship.

The Spain international started his professional career with Estudiantes in his hometown of Madrid in 2014, and remained there for two years before embarking upon his NBA journey. In the United States, Hernangomez suited up for the Denver Nuggets (2016-20), Minnesota Timberwolves (2020-21), Boston Celtics (2021-22), San Antonio Spurs (2021-22), Utah Jazz (2021-22), and Toronto Raptors (2022-23). He played a total of 350 games in the association.

More Panathinaikos News

Juancho Hernangomez grabs a rebound between two Anadolu Efes Istanbul players.

The Spanish forward is staying in the Greek capital.

Panathinaikos extends Juancho Hernangomez two more years

Congratulations to John Drosakis, our 13th winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! John's team, 'Arianna per sempre', posted a score of 223.46.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 13 winner

Congratulations to John Drosakis, our 13th winner in the 2024-25 [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! John's team, 'Arianna per  sempre', posted a score of 223.46.

John had the following starting lineup: Jared Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem as team captain, then Ante Tomic of Joventut Badalona, Anthony Brown of Turk Telekom Ankara, Noa Essengue of ratiopharm Ulm and Yam Madar of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. Bynton Lemar of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana was his sixth man.

John team's head coach was U-BT Cluj-Napoca play-caller Mihai Silvasan, while the four bench players were Kur Kuath of Veolia Towers Hamburg, Maxime Courby of Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse, Jaroslav Zyskowski of Trefl Sopot and Cluj's Adam Mokoka.

The prize for finishing first in Round 13 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, John!

The leader in the overall standings remains Milos Mihajlovic and his squad, 'BallIsLife', which has a total of 2,258.85 points after the first 13 rounds. Trades are now open for Round 14. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 19th winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Kristian Palinkas beat everyone else in Round 19 with his team 'Kixxx', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 224.55.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 19 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 19th winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Kristian Palinkas beat everyone else in Round 19 with his team 'Kixxx', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 224.55.

Kristian had the following starting lineup: Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens as team captain, then Olympiacos Piraeus's Sasha Vezenkov, Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, as well as Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's duo of Sterling Brown and Tyrique Jones. His sixth man was Will Clyburn of Virtus Segafredo Bologna. On the bench, Kristian had ALBA Berlin's Elias Rapieque, Fenerbahce's Melih Mahmutoglou, Partizan's Mitar Bosnjakovic, and Filip Petrusev of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. His team's head coach was AS Monaco play-caller Vassilis Spanoulis.

The prize for finishing first in Round 19 is a free VIP Euroleague TV subscription for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Kristian!

Marko Djukic and his team 'Kughat' remains the leader of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) overall standings with 3,277.69points.

Trades are now open for Round 20. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round. You can either trade up to four players, or a head coach and three players.

The first game in Round 20 tips off on Thursday, January 9, as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul hosts ALBA Berlin at 18:45 CET. That game marks the next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager. 

Bahcesehir College Istanbul showed character, fought back and responded in the most emphatic way to win a battle of runs at Dolomiti Energia Trento on Friday night, a win that sealed the Turkish side's place in the BKT EuroCup Playoffs.

‘Composed’ Bahcesehir prevailed in battle of runs to secure playoff berth

Surrendering a 16-point lead and seeing your opponent secure a seven-point cushion midway through the fourth quarter in a tight clash could deal a blow to morale to any team. Yet, [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) showed character, fought back and responded in the most emphatic way to win [a battle of runs at Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/late-run-allows-bahcesehir-to-beat-trento-69-73-and-advance-to-playoffs/) on Friday night, a win that sealed the Turkish side's place in the BKT EuroCup Playoffs.

Bahcesehir hit the ground running and took an early 4-20 lead, but Trento responded with a 10-4 surge that cut the difference to 10 points heading into the second quarter. The hosts tightened up their defense and held the Group A leader to just 14 points in each of the next two quarters, gradually chomping down their advantage. The guests led by 35-43 a couple of minutes into the third, but a 13-2 run saw Trento take its first lead of the game with just over 13 minutes remaining.

The Italian outfit maintained that edge in the closing quarter, when [Jordan Ford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-ford/013270/) took over by netting 8 straight points to open a 67-60 lead halfway through the fourth. Yet, that wasn’t meant to be the last big run of the contest, as Bahcesehir responded with a 2-13 surge of its own fueled by [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/) to seal a narrow 69-73 victory.

Smith netted a total of 15 points, 5 of which came in the last 4 minutes, with [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/) recording the same scoring tally, which he paired with 6 rebounds. The Bahcesehir center stressed after the game that it was his team’s mentality on both ends in the closing stages that allowed them to turn the game around and escape with the win. 

“It was a game of runs,” Odiase noted. “\[Trento\] are a really good team. We know what they’ve done against big teams in our league. So, we just had to stay composed and down the stretch we did that and we got the win.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">💎 İşte galibiyetin 𝐌𝐕𝐏’si! <br><br>🔑 Dolomiti Energia Trento galibiyetimizde anahtar rol oynayan oyuncumuz; 15 sayı, 6 ribaund, 2 asist, 21 verimlilik puanı performansıyla Tai Odiase oluyor!<br><br>❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyHighTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyHighTogether</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/ASK19Ax0EP">pic.twitter.com/ASK19Ax0EP</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1875289898187681816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bahcesehir remains top of the BKT EuroCup Group A after opening 2025 with its 11th win this season. Coming up next is a home clash against [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/bud/) next week, when an equally composed Bahcesehir could extend its perfect home record to an 8-0.

A 2-13 late surge allowed the guests to clinch their 11th win this season

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2025-01-03T19:00:00.000Z)

Alessandro Magro was a happy man after his BC Wolves team survived a massive back-and-forth battle with Joventut Badalona. That is because the head coach finally had his full roster available for the Round 13 battle.

Alessandro Magro excited to finally have full Wolves roster available

[Alessandro Magro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/wol/magro-alessandro/?season=U2024) was a happy man after his [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/wol/) team survived a massive back-and-forth battle with [Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/jov/). That is because the head coach finally had his full roster available for the Round 13 battle.

There were 30 lead changes in the first three quarters before Wolves finally pulled away for [a 91-80 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/wolves-survive-back-and-forth-down-joventut-91-80-at-home/) for a 7-6 record in the fight for the playoffs.

“We had good energy. The last couple of games in the domestic league and EuroCup we didn’t start with great energy and gave up a lot of points. Today the defense was better. It wasn’t perfect but it was better. But our energy, chemistry and having our teammates’ backs was the key,” said [Kristupas Zemaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kristupas-zemaitis/005516/), who led the way with 17 points.

Zemaitis had his best game of the season as he had totaled a combined 18 points in his last five EurpCup games. He was one of six Wolves players to score in double figures.

“We are for sure happy about the result of this game. It is for sure an important win. I was happy to finally have the complete roster to play,” said Magro.

Lithuanian international [Arnoldas Kulboka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/arnoldas-kulboka/006180/) has now played five straight games – scoring 9, 12 and 10 points in his last three contests and getting a bit more playing time each game. [Jeffery Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jeffery-taylor/006546/) returned to the court for the first time since Round 9 and also had 10 points.

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Magro is excited to see what Kulboka can do for his team this season.

“I watch him every day and every game and every day he’s getting better and better. He’s strong enough to manage the load. He’s taking care of his knee. He’s not rushing too much. But he is able to play more minutes on the court each game,” the coach said.

“This is the kind of roster that I would like to see – picking the best lineups, offensively and defensively according to what we need in that moment,” Magro said. “We had six players in double digits, we had seven players who played more than 20 minutes but nobody played more than 25. This is the system I would like to rely on. I would like to thank my players because they knew the value of this game and they gave everything.”

And now Coach Magro has everything he had hoped for at the start of the season.

The Lithuanian side has withstood injuries to key players and now is showing what it can do

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v Joventut Badalona (2025-01-03T17:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca showed just how good it can play as it rolled past Veolia Towers Hamburg 104-83 with a real team performance offensively, which also saw star guard Zavier Simpson finish the game scoreless.

Cluj rolls past Hamburg with star Zavier Simpson going scoreless

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/clu/) showed just how good it can play as it [rolled past Veolia Towers Hamburg 104-83](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cluj-crushes-hamburg-104-83-for-fifth-straight-home-win/) with a real team performance offensively, which also saw star guard [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) finish the game scoreless.

Simpson missed his only 6 shots in the game but still dished out 7 assists and added 3 rebounds and 2 steals as Cluj shared the ball very well. All told, the Romanian powerhouse dished out 28 assists while shooting 12 of 22 on three-pointers for a blistering 54.5%. That was much higher than Cluj’s three-point shooting coming into the game – 32.8% for 11th in the league.

“Tonight, we played great team basketball,” said Cluj coach [Mihai Silvasan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/clu/silvasan-mihai/?season=U2024), whose team had five players score in double figures.

[Adam Mokoka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/adam-mokoka/012698/) had 19 points, [Gediminas Orelik](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/gediminas-orelik/002012/) tallied 18 points, [De’Shawn Stephens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/de-shawn-stephens/006618/) 16, [DJ Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dennis-seeley/004862/) 15 and [Mareks Mejeris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mareks-mejeris/005714/) added 14 points. Simpson, for his part, came into the game ranked third in average PIR at 21.0 and scoring average at 18.2 points per game.

The defensive performant was definitely more to Silvasan’s liking after the team had given up more than 100 points in two of its last three games. Coming into the game, Cluj had been ranked 18th in points allowed at 89.9 per game.

“We were a little afraid of this game. Hamburg is not that bad of a team as the score shows. They had some good results this season, but we passed this game,” said Silvasan, whose team lost its last domestic league game after Christmas.

“For me, this game is already history. I am already focusing on the next game against Hapoel Jerusalem. It’s a home game and if we want to be in a playoffs spot we need to fight and try to win it.”

There are a lot of positives for Silvasan and his team to take from this game moving forward.

The Romanian side had five players score in double figures

Cluj rolled past Hamburg with star Zavier Simpson going scoreless 

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2025-01-03T17:00:00.000Z)

In FC Barcelona's win against Paris Basketball at Accor Arena, Willy Hernangomez and Chimezie Metu shined. Hernangomez finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Metu had 13 points in 15 minutes on the floor.

Barcelona bigs shined in big French capital win

[FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) had a victorious return to its place of happiness. At Accor Arena in Paris, the venue where the club won its last Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title in 2010, [Barcelona topped Paris Basketball 79-90](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/paris-basketball-fc-barcelona/E2024/169/) in a display of confidence and experience.

It was a completely opposite display from what we witnessed not even two months ago, in Round 10, when Paris went into Palau Blaugrana and dominated in an [87-103 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fc-barcelona-paris-basketball/E2024/88/). That game started a losing streak, as Barcelona entered this game as a loser in seven of its last nine games.

But, from the opening tip on Friday night, Barcelona looked like a team that knew what it wanted and, more importantly, how to get it.

The team's two biggest stars at Accor Arena were its two big men, [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) and [Chimezie Metu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chimezie-metu/013379/). Hernangomez finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Metu had 13 points in 15 minutes on the floor.

Hernangomez finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Metu had 13 points in 15 minutes on the floor.

Hernangomez, Metu dominated Paris

Both came off the bench, as [Youssoupha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/youssoupha-fall/006568/) was trusted into a starting role in the absence of [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/), and the fact that Fall had 3 field-goal attempts in the early going was a hint of things to come.

Hernangomez was the next one off the bench, before Metu finally stepped on the floor. Paris had no, or very little, answer for Barcelona's game plan, especially when both were on the floor.

The duo showed their strength in the paint, with Hernangomez going 7 for 11 on two-pointers, grabbing 5 offensive rebounds and drawing 8 personal fouls, while Metu was 6 for 7 on two-pointers.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">El darrer quart de <a href="https://twitter.com/Chimezie_Metu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chimezie_Metu</a> 🔥🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/5YrubYSOrF">pic.twitter.com/5YrubYSOrF</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1875295781537841186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Barcelona made 26 two-point shots, one shy of its season high, on 46 attempts

"For us, it is an important moment," Hernangomez told EuroLeague TV in a postgame interview. "A moment to be together, to try to give more of ourselves to our team. Our fans in Barcelona, they deserve wins and for us to play better."

No one would be able to accuse the team of lack of hustle as Barcelona pulled down 16 offensive rebounds, the third most this season. Players dove after basketballs on the floor, and [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) into the fans in the courtside seats, winning their share of loose balls.

"We are going to play every single game like a final. That's the mentality. I am proud of the guys", Hernangomez said.

His performance, in just over 20 minutes on the floor, might be the biggest reason for optimism. His 23 points and 10 rebounds are both career highs, as is his PIR of 30. It was also the most minutes he has played this season, and this type of Hernangomez certainly deserves time on the floor.

It turned out to be an excellent start to the 2025 for Barcelona, to get back to a winning record (10-9) and get a boost of confidence for a team which next travels to the first-placed [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) before two tough home game against the reigning champ [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) then against [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/).

"The clock is ticking," Metu said.

"There is still a lot of a season \[left to play\], but we've got to start getting our rhythm now. We had to come out here and play our game, that was very important to us."

Willy Hernangomez enjoyed a career night in Jan Vesely's absence

Paris Basketball v FC Barcelona (2025-01-03T19:15:00.000Z)