A new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is upon us, but ordinary it is not.

Already, as opening day arrives, one shining reward is at hand:

The return of the world's best fans to their rightful place as sixth men and women in the stands of pulsating arenas in Europe's most vibrant cities.

Their renewed presence, at long last, reminds us that the EuroLeague is all about overcoming adversity, all about getting up after falling down, all about believing against all odds.

Just ask the reigning champions from Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

This competition is as full of adversity as any in sports. In the EuroLeague, like nowhere else in basketball, every game truly matters.

Just ask the 15 teams who fought into April last spring, six months after opening day, for playoffs spots or home-court advantage.

Now, again, the road that awaits them is full of challenges, demands and hurdles that must be overcome by effort, determination and tenacity.

Just ask Cory Higgins of FC Barcelona, Nicolo Melli of AX Armani Exchange Milan, Tornike Shengelia of CSKA Moscow and MVP Vasilije Micic of Efes.

They helped lift their teams to the Final Four teams in Cologne, Germany last May, but they rep their hundreds of peers on EuroLeague courts whose daily persistence and striving make this brand of basketball uniquely authentic.

And now, all are at the bottom of the same long, uphill road, with 320 games to be played, thousands of rebounds and loose balls to be lunged for, countless steps to be climbed.

This is the quest that they live for, the crucible they thrive in, the legacy they seek.

It's not just about winning it all. It's about getting up and making that journey again, starting over with one thing in mind: to push even higher.

Just ask their fans.

They are stretched out across nearly 5,000 kilometers from Russia in the east to Spain in the west, from Israel in the south to Lithuania in the north. All are ready to make their arenas – indeed, their whole cities – bounce again to the rhythm of this game.

They, too, are poised to push even higher. Than ever.

Welcome to the 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

#EveryGameMatters

CSKA adds fire power, keeps core: Season Preview

CSKA Moscow kept a core of players led by Will Clyburn, Nikola Milutinov, Daniel Hackett and Toko Shengelia, adding fire power with two great scorers: Alexey Shved and Marius Grigonis.

Champs from Efes aim for a repeat: Season Preview

Led by the superstar backcourt of Vasilije Micic and Shane Larkin, reigning champion Anadolu Efes Istanbul is seeking to follow up its first EuroLeague title with a rare repeat.

The EuroLeague Rising Star Trophy is a coveted one as past winners have gone on to greatness in our game. The list of previous winners includes EuroLeague great such as Luka Doncic, Nikola Mirotic, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Ricky Rubio, among many others. In order to be eligible to win the 2021-22 EuroLeague Rising Star trophy, a player must have been born on July 1, 1999 or later. Here are 10 of the main candidates to join this impressive list of young talents by the end of the 2021-22 season.

### Carlos Alocen, Real Madrid

Carlos Alocen comes off a promising EuroLeague rookie season in which he averaged 3.9 points and 2.3 assists in 28 games – and starting 16 of those. Now that he knows the competition a little bit better, Alocen is expected to take another step. An athletic playmaker with outstanding court division and great driving skills, Alocen is a perfect fit for Real's transition, run-and-gun game. At age 20, Alocen has room for improvement. He also has the desire and work ethic to do so and Coach Pablo Laso has confidence in him.

### Tarik Biberovic, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

He may be 20, but Tarik Biberovic is set to start his fourth EuroLeague campaign with Fenerbahce. His role has increased over the year and now, with a new coach and several newcomers in the team, it is time for Biberovic to take a giant step forward. Biberovic is a good athlete who knows how to use his quickness and size to finish around the basket, but can also pull the trigger from downtown and is learning from experienced players on daily basis. It is only a matter of time before Biberovic has a breakout season.

### Malte Delow, ALBA Berlin

After seeing extended playing time in the pre-season, Malte Delow hopes to become an important player for ALBA in the EuroLeague. At age 20, Delow took part in 23 EuroLeague games last season (1.6 ppg. in 8.3 mpg.) and helped ALBA win its second consecutive German League title. He is aggressive on defense and reads the passing lanes well. If Delow can feed off his defensive intensity and contribute more on offense, it will be only a matter of time until he becomes a key player in ALBA's rotation.

### Rokas Jokubaitis, FC Barcelona

After finishing second behind Usman Garuba of Real Madrid in last season's EuroLeague Rising Star voting, Rokas Jokubaitis will have a new role on a different club as he looks to grow even more. Jokubaitis joined FC Barcelona where he will learn at the feet of Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, who he played for at Zalgiris, too. Jokubaitis is a physically gifted combo-guard who handles the ball well, goes hard to the basket and has a good outside shot. With Saras pushing him, Jokubaitis should have a prominent role for the EuroLeague runners-up.

### Leftherios Mantzoukas, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens

Leftherios Mantzoukas may be only 18 years old, but he already has four years of professional experience under his belt. He is a product of the Promitheas Patras systema and played in the EuroCup in each of the past two seasons – including a 24-point outburst on 6 for 6 three-point shooting last year against Gran Canaria. The 2.07-meter swingman has the confidence and accuracy in his shooting to carve out a key role already this season – and he will have several more years of candidacy for the Rising Star Trophy, too!

### Sergi Martinez, FC Barcelona

Power forward Sergi Martinez did not see much playing time last season but when he did, he showed what he is capable of. He had 7 points and 9 rebounds in 31 minutes against Real Madrid, 10 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes against Valencia Basket and also posted a PIR of 11 against CSKA Moscow. Barcelona fans love him because of his fighting spirit: there is not a rebound he does not fight for nor a loose ball he would not dive for. That blue-collar mentality should lead to a bump in playing time.

### Filip Petrusev, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Filip Petrusev was chosen as the Adriatic League MVP last season after posting some big numbers - 23.5 points on excellent shooting percentages (61.6% 2FG, 41.9% 3FG) and 7.6 rebounds in 21 games with Mega Belgrade. He is now set to make his EuroLeague debut with the reigning champs and has already shown in pre-season what he is capable off. Petrusev is a strong big man with great rebounding skills who can score in many ways - in the paint, in pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations, in transition... Keep an eye on him!

### Matthew Strazel, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

Still a teenager, Matthew Strazel enters his third EuroLeague campaign with 36 games of experience in the competition. He is a great shooter with unlimited range and is never afraid to pull the trigger when ASVEL needs to open the floor. Strazel is slowly but steadily learning to attack the basket, making the most out of his one-on-one skills, and can pass the ball with great effectiveness when double-teamed. On a team full of young talents, Strazel should do his part to make ASVEL a fun-to-watch team!

### Tristan Vukcevic, Real Madrid

Last season, Tristan Vukcevic became the first player in more than two decades to make his EuroLeague debut in the playoffs. His father, Dusan Vukcevic, was also a Real Madrid player and played for five more teams in the EuroLeague. They are very different players, however, as Tristan Vukcevic is a stretch power forward with deep shooting range and great mobility. Real has a reputation for developing young talent and Vukcevic should be ready to step up and make the most out of the playing time he earns.

### Victor Wembanyama, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

Victor Wembanyama made quite an impact in limited minutes last season in the 7DAYS EuroCup and will look to handle a bigger role in his EuroLeague debut. The 17-year-old center had 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks in 17 minutes for Nanterre 92 against Cedevita Union Olimpija – and he was still 16 at the time! Standing 2.20 meters, Wembanyama has incredible size and length, which he combines with quick feet and a shooting touch that extends to the three-point line. His package of skills makes him one of the elite prospects in basketball.



Alocen-010623.jpg

Awards preview: EuroLeague Rising Star

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv fortified its frontline by signing center Mathias Lessort to a short-term deal, the club announced Monday. The contract is for two months. Lessort (2.06 meters, 26 years old) will take over the role of Ante Zizic, who will miss the start of the season through injury. Lessort arrives from AS Monaco, which he helped to win the 7DAYS EuroCup last season. He averaged 12.5 points on 58.7% two-point shooting, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 23 EuroCup games and was named to the All-EuroCup First Team. It was his second All-EuroCup selection after being named to the second team in 2019 with Unicaja Malaga. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🛂.<a href="https://twitter.com/ThiasLsf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThiasLsf</a> <a href="https://t.co/tCkuYjwONW">pic.twitter.com/tCkuYjwONW</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1442378298454118402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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"We are very happy that we bring one more player to help us now that we start the season," Coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos said. "Mathias Lessort is a player that comes to add power to our frontline after the injury of Ante Zizic. Mathias is an experienced EuroLeague player that will adjust fast to the needs of the team. I want to thank our owners that one more time they did their best for the club."

Lessort has two seasons of EuroLeague experience – one each with FC Bayern Munich and Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade. He has also suited up for Unicaja in Spain and JSF Nanterre and Elan Chalon in France. He helped Nanterre win the French Cup and FIBA Europe Cup in 2017. A native of the island of Martinique, Lessort has also been a member of the French national team. 


Maccabi inks Lessort to short-term deal

One of the most prolific players of the last decade will join his seventh Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team with the announcement late Friday that LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has added James Gist to its roster until December 31 to alleviate injury concerns with just a week left until the 2021-22 season tips off.

Gist (2.04 meters, 34 years old) arrives from FC Bayern Munich, a team he helped lead to Game 5 of the playoffs last season, which was his 11th consecutive in the EuroLeague. Since his debut in 2010, Gist has pulled the sixth-highest total of rebounds in the competition, 1,142, and the seventh-highest blocks total, 151, while scoring 2,316 points. thrilling fans in six countries with his high-flying dunks and determined defense.

All told, Gist has played in 269 career EuroLeague games and has averages of 8.6 points and 4.2 rebounds. He has national titles along the way in Serbia with Partizan Belgrade, and in Greece five times with Panathinaikos Athens.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">❗ Effectif 2021-2022 👉 James GIST en renfort !<br><br>L’intérieur américain aux 269 matchs d’EuroLeague vient étoffer l’effectif de LDLC ASVEL jusqu’à la fin de l’année 2021, et ainsi pallier les soucis de blessure de ce début de saison. <br>✍ <a href="https://t.co/WWtmVAy00m">https://t.co/WWtmVAy00m</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1441491550995816454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

ASVEL brings in Gist until new year

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv's starting center in 30 games last season, Ante Zizic, will miss the first month or more of the new one with a hamstring tear, the club announced on Saturday. Zizic was injured in the Israeli League's preseason cup tournament semifinal game against Maccabi Rishon LeZion on Friday night. Zizic was a top-30 per-minute performer in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last season with 9.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per night in less than 20 minutes of action on average for a prorated 22.8 PIR over 40 minutes.

Zizic did not miss a game of Maccabi's 34 last season in what was his return to the competition after debuting with Darussafaka Istanbul in the 2016-17 season. With Maccabi during the regular season last year, he pulled more total rebounds (182) than all but four other players and was one of just 11 players to average more than 2.0 offensive rebounds. If he stays out the full, projected six weeks, Zizic will miss Maccabi's first eight Euroleague games.

Maccabi's Zizic sidelined til November

The Euroleague Fantasy Challenge is back with a different look, some new, exciting features and the same one-of-a-kind prize: a VIP trip of a lifetime to the 2022 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin, Germany! It is an all-access ticket to the biggest and best basketball party on the continent, and right now, all teams have the same chances to win it, as everyone starts from scratch. There will be 10 players per team – five starters and five bench players – plus, for the first time, a head coach. The starting five, the sixth man and the coach are counted with 100% of their points, while the players on the bench get 50%. As in previous seasons, the team captain's score is worth double. Three trades will be allowed in between rounds, but as an extra move, you can also change your head coach.

Having a great start is critical to setting up your Fantasy Challenge team to reach the ultimate goal - and we are here to help you with weekly tips, highlighting which players are doing well and trying to predict who will have a great round. Make sure you join the game by clicking [HERE](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)!

Here are the first five names we recommend for Regular Season Round 1:

**1. Mike James, AS Monaco (16.0 credits) -** He is a late arrival and thus it may take him some time to fully adjust to a team full of new players, but James has been one of the best fantasy players in recent years and the fact that he joined a EuroLeague newcomer means that Monaco's offense should gravitate around him. And if you played the game in recent years, you know what James is capable of. If you buy a top-class player, he should be your first choice.

**2. Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos Piraeus (11.2 credits) -** It should be a breakout season for Sasha Vezenkov, as he has the chance to go from one of the best forwards in the competition to being an All-EuroLeague candidate. In the last 7 EuroLeague games last season, Vezenkov averaged 19.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and a PIR of 24.0. In other words, he is ready to lead Olympiacos from now on and that makes him a solid Fantasy Challenge choice.

**3. Vladimir Lucic, FC Bayern Munich (11.7 credits) -** Lucic made it to the All-EuroLeague First Team last season and even though Bayern changed a lot, he is expected to have even more responsibilities from now on. Fantasy-wise, he can score points in many ways and is an effective shooter. Lucic is ready to take his game to the next level and that is only good news for Fantasy Challenge managers!

**4. Kyle Kuric, FC Barcelona (7.9 credits) -** A cheaper option to balance your team. Alex Abrines is sidelined long-term due to injury (get well soon, Alex!) which means that Kuric will be his team's main bomber from downtown. Barcelona plays at home against high-scoring ALBA Berlin, and Kuric was the best three-point shooter (56.2% 3FG) in the EuroLeague last season. So, what's not to like?

**5.- Edgaras Ulanovas, Zalgiris Kaunas (7.5 credits) -** Ulanovas did not have good numbers last season, which makes him a bit cheaper in the game. He is back in Kaunas, however, and faces a challenging season to prove his value. Post skills, three-point shots, free-throw accuracy, silent leadership - you name it. Ulanovas should have an important role for always-ambitious Zalgiris. Go for him!

Fantasy Challenge tips: Regular Season, Round 1

Three players are former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions and some others have come close. Some went away to get more experience and return now ready to make a greater impact. What all these summer signees have in common is they wanted to get back to the EuroLeague and they've made it!

### Ismet Akpinar, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Ismet Akpinar played in the EuroLeague years ago and returns ready to prove his value with the ever-ambitious Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Akpinar had a brief experience in the EuroLeague, averaging 1.6 points in 5 games with ALBA Berlin in the 2014-15 season. He went to play in several German and Turkish squads before signing his contract with his current team. At age 26, Akpinar is a young veteran and a threat from downtown; he made 41.2% of his three-point shots in his last two EuroCup seasons.

### Danilo Andjusic, AS Monaco

Danilo Andjusic played three EuroLeague seasons in the past, two of them with Partizan NIS Belgrade, at the start of his career and another one with UNICS Kazan in 2016-17 with a very limited role. He has averaged 3.6 points on 23.6% three-point shooting in 25 career EuroLeague games. Andjusic is back in the EuroLeague with AS Monaco as one of the best all-around scorers on the continent. He averaged 17.4 points on 90.7% free throw shooting in 15 EuroCup games with JL Bourg en Bresse last season.

### Tyler Cavanaugh, Zalgiris Kaunas

A modern power forward with deep shooting range and all-around skills, Tyler Cavanaugh returns to the EuroLeague with Zalgiris Kaunas after debuting in the competition with ALBA Berlin in the 2019-20 campaign. He averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds for ALBA in what was his first season in Europe. Cavanaugh went on to play for Iberostar Tenerife before joining Zalgiris. He shot the ball well in the Spanish League last season (60.8% 2FG, 45.1% 3FG, 83.6% FT) and Cavanaugh should keep it going.

### Nikola Ivanovic, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

At age 27, combo guard Nikola Ivanovic has switched Adriatic powerhouses, joining Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade at the prime of his career. Ivanovic brings a lot of know-how from his seven seasons with Buducnost VOLI Podgorica of his native Montenegro, mostly in the 7DAYS EuroCup. During that run, he debuted in the EuroLeague with Buducnost, playing eight games in the 2018-19 season with averages of 7.0 points and 3.6 assists. Ivanovic made it to the All-EuroCup Second Team in the 2017-18 campaign, too.

### Dmitry Kulagin, Zenit St Petersburg

After a year away from basketball, Dimitry Kulagin returned to action this summer and averaged 16.0 points and 7.5 assists for the Russian national team. Zenit St Petersburg brought him back to make the most out of his experience, intensity and versatility. Kulagin has a chance to show his value in the EuroLeague, a competition he was in with CSKA Moscow in 2016. He was chosen to the 2017-18 All-EuroCup Second Team with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, too, and is back in St Petersburg after six long years.

### Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Zenit St Petersburg

A nightmare matchup due to his size, ballhandling, versatility and quickness, Mindaugas Kuzminskas should be an interesting fit for Zenit St Petersburg. He has plenty of EuroLeague experience - nine seasons with Zalgiris Kaunas, Unicaja Malaga, AX Armani Exchange Milan and Olympiacos Piraeus between 2010 and 2020. Kuzminskas averaged 8.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 164 EuroLeague career games until now. He is too fast for most power forwards and too big for most small forwards, which is always a plus.

### James Nunnally, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

As the only EuroLeague winner on Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv's roster, James Nunnally should play a leading role as he tries to make a difference at the small forward spot. Nunnally is also a great shooter - he has made 48.5% of his three-point shots in four EuroLeague seasons, which is the best percentage ever for a player with at least 75 triples made. Maccabi will be his third EuroLeague stop after three seasons with Fenerbahce - with which he won the championship in 2017 - and one with Milan.

### Vincent Poirier, Real Madrid

Vincent Poirier joined Real Madrid late last season and already showcased his collection of skills at both ends of the floor. An accomplished rebounder and shot-blocker, Poirier joins forces with Edy Tavares to form a very strong frontline. He can play above the rim and score in many ways around the basket. Poirier was chosen to the 2018-19 All-EuroLeague Second Team after averaging 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in 34 games for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. He is back with one main goal in mind: raising the EuroLeague crown.

### Andrey Vorontsevich, UNICS Kazan

Few players know the EuroLeague better than Andrey Vorontsevich, who knows what it takes to be successful in the competition. Vorontsevich was with CSKA Moscow for 14 consecutive years. He joined that club in 2006 from Lokomotiv Novosibirsk and wore its trademark red uniform until 2020. He helped CSKA win EuroLeague titles in 2008, 2016 and 2019 and played 274 EuroLeague games for the Muscovites. Vorontsevich returns to the competition with UNICS Kazan to be one of its pillars.

### Maik Zirbes, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Maik Zirbes was one of the most dominant big men in the EuroLeague when he led Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade to the playoffs in 2015-16. He averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds that season. However, since starting the next season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Zirbes has not played again in Europe's premier competition. The bullish center returns to a familiar spot this season with Zvezda eager to show that he can still be a force in the paint.