CSKA Moscow grabbed its third consecutive win in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season by holding off TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 89-86 at Megasport Arena on Thursday. 

CSKA holds off Baskonia's comeback

CSKA Moscow grabbed its third consecutive win in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season by holding off TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 89-86 at Megasport Arena on Thursday. CSKA's 500th EuroLeague game this century made it the first team to reach that milestone. CSKA improved to 5-3 in the standings while Baskonia dropped to 2-4. Darrun Hilliard led the winners with 31 points on 7-for-10 three-point shooting, tying a club record. Daniel Hackett added 16 points while Will Clyburn and Toko Shengelia each had 12 for CSKA. Youssoupha Fall led Baskonia with 19 points. Pierria Henry added 17 points -- 15 in the final 5 minutes. Alec Peters and Luca Vildoza each scored 13 and Rokas Giedraitis 10 for the guests. CSKA led 79-64 midway through the fourth quarter but Henry led Baskonia to tie it at 84-84. A three-pointer by Hilliard and free throws by Nikola Milutinov sealed the outcome in the final seconds.



Shengelia got CSKA going with a jump-hook and Hackett added a triple for a 5-0 lead. Giedraitis buried a floater but Hilliard downed a couple of jumpers in a 6-0 run that boosted the difference to 11-2. Giedraitis kept pacing Baskonia with a three-point play but Hackett and Hilliard made it a double-digit game, 15-5. Vildoza struck from downtown and Fall added a jump-hook but Hackett and Shengelia kept CSKA way ahead, 19-10. CSKA found new go-to guys in Nikita Kurbanov and Alexander Khomenko but Fall and Peters kept Baskonia within 23-16 after 10 minutes. Khomenko struck from beyond the arc early in the second quarter. Fall answered with a tip-in, igniting a 0-7 run that Peters capped with a jumper to get Baskonia as close as 26-22. Johannes Voigtmann hit a jumper and Hilliard nailed a triple for a 31-22 CSKA lead. Vildoza and Hackett traded jumpers but Fall scored again at 33-26. Hackett and Zoran Dragic traded triples before Hilliard struck twice more from downtown, giving CSKA a 42-29 lead. Giedraitis and Achille Polonara tried to change things for Baskonia but a red-hot Hilliard and Shengelia gave the hosts a 47-35 margin at halftime. 

Catch up on CSKA Moscow vs TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz highlights from Round 8 of the 2020/21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, 12th November 2020

CSKA Moscow vs TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz Highlights - Round 8 - 12th November, 2020

Shengelia and Vildoza exchanged baskets soon after the break and Fall scored twice in the paint to bring Baskonia within 49-41. Hilliard followed a driving layup with a three-pointer and Hackett scored in transition but Peters and Arturs Kurucs gave Baskonia hope at 56-47. Hilliard, Khomenko and Clyburn all scored in penetration but Peters and Polonara kept the guests as close as 66-58 after 30 minutes. Hilliard downed his sixth three-pointer early in the fourth quarter and Clyburn bettered Vildoza's jumper with a bomb from beyond the arc, good for a 73-60 CSKA lead. Vildoza downed another jumper but so did Hackett, getting help from Nikola Milutinov and Clyburn to make it 79-64, seeming to seal the outcome. Instead, Henry rescued Baskonia with 11 points in 4 minutes, getting help from Fall and Giedraitis to bring Baskonia to within 82-80 with 1:19 left. Henry tied the game from the foul line with 48.4 seconds remaining. Clyburn and Henry traded jumpers and Hilliard sank a critical triple with 23.1 seconds left. Baskonia missed 3 consecutive shots and Milutinov sealed the win with free throws.

### Pivotal performer

Hilliard had a career night, leading CSKA to a big win against his former team. He finished with a career-best 31 points on 5-of-6 two-point shots, 7-of-10 three-pointers, a rebound, 2 assists and 2 fouls drawn for a PIR of 32, also a personal-best. Only former CSKA icons Milos Teodosic, Nando De Colo and Trajan Langdon had ever made 7 three-pointers for the club before Hilliard did so on Thursday.

### Game-changing moment

CSKA found good shots from beyond the arc midway through the second quarter. Hackett hit one and a red-hot Hilliard added three more, as CSKA extended its lead from 26-22 to 42-29. Baskonia never gave up but CSKA never gave up the lead from that moment.

### Stellar stat

Two-point shooting and turnovers made the difference in this game. CSKA buried 20-of-30 shots inside the arc (66.7%) and limited Baskonia to 20-of-37 (54.0%). Baskonia picked up 23 turnovers, its most since November 26, 2015 against Olympiacos Piraeus. CSKA limited turnovers to 14.

### Did you know?

CSKA became the first time to play 500 EuroLeague games. FC Barcelona ranks second with 499 after its game against Fenerbahce tonight, followed by Olympiacos Piraeus (492) and Baskonia (491). CSKA registered its 384th win, which also leads the all-time standings.

Hilliard-3-008989.jpg


CSKA Moscow grabbed its third consecutive win in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season by holding off TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 89-86 at Megasport Arena on Thursday. 

CSKA Moscow v TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2020-11-12T17:00:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv dominated Zalgiris Kaunas at both ends in capturing an 85-57 victory over the Lithuanian champs on Thursday at Menora Mivtachim Arena. 

Maccabi blasts Zalgiris at both ends

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv dominated Zalgiris Kaunas at both ends in capturing an 85-57 victory over the Lithuanian champs on Thursday at Menora Mivtachim Arena. Maccabi used a 20-0 run that bridged the first and second quarters in building a 30-point halftime margin from which Zalgiris never recovered. The result boosted Maccabi's record to 3-5 and dropped Zalgiris to 5-3. Tyler Dorsey paced five Maccabi scorers in double figures with 16 points, Chris Jones added 15, Dragan Bender scored 11 and Elijah Bryant and Scottie Wilbekin had 10 points apiece. Thomas Walkup lad the Zalgiris attack with 12 points and Joffrey Lauvergne and Marius Grigonis netted 11 each.



Lauvergne opened the game with an alley-oop slam as he and Walkup combined for all of Zalgiris's points in a 2-8 start. Back-to-Back three-pointers by Angelo Caloirao and Sandy Cohen revived Maccabi. Both teams made multiple substitutions after 6 minutes and Maccabi's paid off quickly as Jones hit a step-back jumper to put the hosts ahead 14-12. Jones added a jumper, a steal and a three before Bender ended the first quarter with a triple to extend an 8-0 run for a 24-14 lead. Bender nailed another three to open the second quarter and Oz Blayzer also hit from deep. Dorsey scored twice to complete a 20-0 Maccabi run for a 36-14 lead. Lukas Lekavicius's floated ended a 4-minute Zalgiris drought before a three by Dorsey made it a 25-point lead. Lauvergne went to work in the paint, but Maccabi continued to add to its lead. A three by Dorsey made it 49-21 and Wilbekin free throws boosted the margin to 53-23 at the break.

Catch up on Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs Zalgiris Kaunas highlights from Round 8 of the 2020/21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, 12th November 2020

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs Zalgiris Kaunas Highlights - Round 8 - 12th November, 2020

Caloiaro struck first for Maccabi in the second half. Lauvergne continued to be a shining light for Zalgiris with a pair of assists, but the visitors could not do much about their deficit. A jumper by Jones made it 65-31 midway through the third quarter. Grigonis netted Zalgiris's first three-pointer on the team's ninth try and Walkup heated up to trim the margin to 25. A three by Bender put the hosts ahead 72-44 through three quarters. Ante Zizic dunked for the first points of the fourth quarter to keep the hosts cruising. Martinas Geben was effective inside to help Zalgiris chip away, but the Maccabi guards continued to add points as the hosts celebrated a convincing win.

### Decisive run

Maccabi scored the final 8 points of the first quarter and the first 12 of the second for a 20-0 run that made it 36-14 and the visitors never got within 20 the rest of the way. Chris Jones scored the first 5 points of the run, Dragan Bender the next 8, then Oz Blazer hit a three-pointer and Tyler Dorsey finished it off with a pair of baskets.

### Bench domination
Maccabi was led by its reserves with Chris Jones, Tyler Dorsey, Dragan Bender, Oz Blayzer and Dori Sahar combining for 47 points, while the starting five had just 38. All the points in the game's decisive 20-0 first-half run came from Maccabi's reserves.

### One for the record books

Maccabi's 30-point halftime lead set a club record for its largest ever at the intermission. Its previous best was 28 (47-19) en route to an 88-67 blowout over Partizan Belgrade in January 2014. That season Maccabi went on to win the EuroLeague championship.

### Telling stats

Seven different Maccabi players sank three-pointers as the team combined to go 11 for 21 from downtown (52.4%). Zalgiris was 1 for 14 on threes (7.1%), tying the worst shooting night from behind the arc in club history.

Dorsey-009849.jpg


Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv dominated Zalgiris Kaunas at both ends in capturing an 85-57 victory over the Lithuanian champs on Thursday at Menora Mivtachim Arena. 

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Zalgiris Kaunas (2020-11-12T19:05:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona grabbed its sixth consecutive victory by downing Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 97-55 at Palau Blaugrana on Thursday. 

Barcelona routs Fenerbahce at home

FC Barcelona grabbed its sixth consecutive victory by downing Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 97-55 at Palau Blaugrana on Thursday. Barcelona improved to 7-1 to remain atop the standings while Fenerbahce dropped to 4-4. Kyle Kuric shined for the winners with 25 points on 7-of-8 three-point shooting. Rolands Smits added 20, Nikola Mirotic had 16, Alex Abrines 12 and Cory Higgins 11. Lorenzo Brown paced Fenerbahce with 10 points. Barcelona led 28-17 after 10 minutes, extended its margin to 51-29 at halftime and then again to 67-33 late in the third quarter to seal the outcome long before the final buzzer.


Mirotic got Barcelona going with a three-pointer, but Jan Vesely and Ahmet Duverioglu each dunked for a 3-4 Fenerbahce lead. Abrines struck twice from downtown and Nick Calathes added a driving layup before Duverioglu and Leo Westermann brought the guests within 11-9. Mirotic insisted from beyond the arc and added a layup, which Higgins followed with an alley-oop to make it 18-11. Abrines downed his third triple and Mirotic followed a dunk with a tip-in to break the game open, 26-11. Ali Muhammed scored in penetration and got help from Brown and Vesely to bring Fenerbahce within 28-17 after 10 minutes. Smits buried a couple of three-pointers and added a layup to boost Barcelona's lead to 36-20. Brandon Davies dunked and Kuric sank a jumper that made it a 20-point game, 40-20. Mirotic capped an 11-0 run as Brown got the visitors a bit closer, 42-26. Davies, Calathes and Mirotic combined for all the points in a 7-0 run for a 49-26 Barcelona lead. A three-pointer by Melih Mahmutoglu and a buzzer-beating jumper by Smits fixed the halftime score at 51-29.

Catch up on FC Barcelona vs Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul highlights from Round 8 of the 2020/21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, 12th November 2020

FC Barcelona vs Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul Highlights - Round 8 - 12th November, 2020

Abrines kept pushing Barcelona after the break, but Westermann and Brown brought Fenerbahce within 53-33. Higgins scored twice around the basket and added a triple in a 14-0 run which Kuric capped with a bomb from downtown. Tarik Biberovic and Danilo Barthel got Fenerbahce within 69-38 after 30 minutes. Barthel and Westermann tried to change things for Fenerbahce early in the fourth quarter, but Sergi Martinez and Kuric kept the hosts way ahead, 73-42. By the time Kuric buried back-to-back three-pointers, everything was said and done, as Barcelona had cruised to a well-deserved and convincing win.

### Pivotal performer

Nikola Mirotic needed less than 19 minutes to confirm his superstar status. He finished the game with 15 points on 4-of-6 two-point shooting, 2-of-4 on three-pointers and 2-of-2 on free throws plus 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block for a PIR of 23.

### Game-changing moment

A three-pointer by Leo Westermann gave Fenerbahce its last lead, 8-9. Nikola Mirotic and Alex Abrines combined for 14 points in an 18-2 run that gave Barcelona a 26-11 cushion late in the first quarter. The hosts never looked back after that, keeping a safe margin until the final buzzer.

### Stellar stat

Fenerbahce committed 25 turnovers, its most in a EuroLeague game since the team merged with Ulker. Before that, Ulker had 26 turnovers against Zalgiris on December 20, 2001. Barcelona outrebounded Fenerbahce 34-24 and limited its opponents to just 4-of-18 three-point shooting (22.2%), while making 16 of 30 (53.3%).

### Did you know?

It was Fenerbahce's second-biggest loss in terms of margin of defeat ever in the EuroLeague. Its biggest loss came against Montepaschi Siena on January 6, 2010. Montepaschi defeated Fenerbahce by 43 points (101-58) behind 20 points from Ksistof Lavrinovic.

Smits-007109.jpg

FC Barcelona grabbed its sixth consecutive victory by downing Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 97-55 at Palau Blaugrana on Thursday. 


FC Barcelona v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2020-11-12T20:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus used a big third quarter to lay the foundation for a 75-71 comeback victory at home over ALBA Berlin for a second straight win. 

Olympiacos rallies from 15 down to beat ALBA

Olympiacos Piraeus used a big third quarter to lay the foundation for a 75-71 comeback victory at home over ALBA Berlin for a second straight win. Shaquielle McKissic led Olympiacos with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals while Livio Jean-Charles picked up 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks and Sasha Vezenkov added 11 points. Olympiacos trailed by 15 points in the second quarter, but roared back ahead with a 27-9 third quarter and finished strong to improve to 4-4. ALBA was paced by Niels Giffey off the bench with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists while Maodo Lo and Johannes Thiemann both had 10 points. ALBA has lost two straight in falling to 1-5 on the season.top graph goes here 



Ben Lammers started the scoring for the visitors and Marcus Eriksson drained a three-pointer for a 0-7 lead while Olympiacos committed 5 turnovers in the first eight possessions. Kostas Papanikolaou’s three-pointer gave the Reds their first points after nearly 5 minutes. Giffey hit from deep and Lo added 3 points to give ALBA a double-digit lead, 5-15. Another Giffey triple made it 7-20 and Thiemann’s tip-in at the buzzer had ALBA up 10-22 after 10 minutes. Octavius Ellis opened the second quarter for the hosts, but they couldn’t cut into the gap despite ALBA needing almost 3 minutes to score - with Simone Fontecchio doing the honors as the gap jumped to 12-26. Vasilis Charalampopoulos scored twice at the other end, but Fontecchio’s next score had the margin at 20-35. Olympiacos managed to trim the deficit to 24-35 at the break.

Catch up on Olympiacos Piraeus vs ALBA Berlin highlights from Round 8 of the 2020/21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, 12th November 2020

Olympiacos Piraeus vs ALBA Berlin Highlights - Round 8 - 12th November, 2020

Kostas Sloukas got the scoring going in the second half and ALBA needed more than 2 minutes to get on the scoreboard through Fontecchio. McKissic took over with a big dunk, 2 assists and a three-pointer in a 9-0 surge to pull within 38-39. Lo knocked down a triple to put ALBA up 40-44, but the road team failed to score in the final 2:30 of the quarter, while Papanikolaou hit a three-pointer and Vasilis Spanoulis went back-to-back from deep in an 11-0 run to put Olympiacos up 51-44 after 30 minutes. ALBA raced back into the game with a 2-8 start to the final frame to get within 53-52. It was Olympiacos’ turn to answer and Jean-Charles and Sloukas converted back-to-back three-point plays to start a 10-0 run for a 63-52 advantage. Vezenkov added a triple and it was 66-54 with 5 minutes to play. Thiemann scored twice for ALBA to cut the margin to 67-60 only to see Vezenkov drain a three-pointer from the left corner with 96 seconds to play. Jonas Mattisseck answered with a triple of his own, but Vezenkov drew a charge on Luke Sikma on the next possession and Ellis finished any doubts with a layup to make it 73-65.

### Depth does it for Olympiacos

Olympiacos's starting five totaled just 32 points while the reserves poured in 43 points - led by Shaquielle McKissic and Sasha Vezenkov, who combined for 25 points.

### Settled down

Olympiacos ended up with 17 turnovers and while that is not a good number, the team committed 8 turnovers in the first quarter alone. So it settled down after the first 10 minutes.

### Telling numbers

Olympiacos took advantage of its offensive rebounding to score 12 second-chance points, compared to 6 for ALBA. Olympiacos also made 15 of 19 free throws compared to 8-of-13 free-throw shooting for ALBA.

Jean-Charles-002536.jpg

Olympiacos Piraeus used a big third quarter to lay the foundation for a 75-71 comeback victory at home over ALBA Berlin for a second straight win. 


Olympiacos Piraeus v ALBA Berlin (2020-11-12T19:00:00.000Z)

It took TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz big man Achille Polonara 11 seasons from the time he started his professional basketball career to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut. Polonara began with Teramo in 2009 and worked his way up, with stops in the 7DAYS EuroCup for three seasons, before he got the call from Baskonia in 2019.

The part of the story that is maybe not so well-known is that Polonara accomplished that personal goal by trying to follow in the footsteps of his older brother by seven years, Valerio, who is also a professional basketball player.

Encouraged by a classmate at school, Valerio started playing basketball. He enjoyed the game and not long after was already playing games and tournaments. At that young age, of course, his parents took him to games and followed his progression... as did little Achille. 

"I just really watched my brother: his moves, his skills..." 

"I was so young, but my parents always followed him and went to watch the games," Polonara said. "Like my mom used to say, I was born at a basketball court because I would watch his games."

It was during those trips around Italy following Valerio's games that Achille's interest in basketball was born.

"I think that I was so curious to see how the ball could go in through the rim. I wanted to see if I had a chance to make the shot if I tried it from, say, 10 meters. The ball isn't that much smaller than the rim, so that's probably the first thing I can remember."

His curiosity only grew as the young Achille focused on Valerio and his way of playing. All of a sudden, the little Polonara had a role model to follow.

"Those are my first basketball memories. Because when I went to those games I just really watched my brother: his moves, his skills, how he took the shots," Polonara remembered. "He was kind of my idol when he was young. So when I watched his games, I was so focused just on him."

In the end, Polonara started playing basketball seriously following in the footsteps of his brother. What nobody guessed was what would come after. Until he was 14, Achille played basketball in his hometown of Ancona, but his talents did not go unnoticed and when he turned 15 he got the call from Teramo, a club that had a team in the Italian first division. 

"It was not that far from my hometown, like a 90-minute car ride," Polonara explained. "It was a first division team, but it was the best chance for me to grow as a person and a basketball player. Valerio gave me a lot of advice, he said 'You have to go there and practice well'. He also told me ' You will have to sacrifice many things because at 15 years old you will be living without your parents... It's not easy but you can do it because you have the big opportunity to play on a first division team.' "

Meanwhile, Valerio continued playing basketball, so it became a juggling affair for the Polonara parents to try to follow the careers of their two sons.

"My parents tried to follow me and my brother whenever we played. Valerio played on the opposite side of Italy, so they tried to stay with me for a couple of weeks and then two weeks where he played," recalled Achille. "We were lucky because for me it was very nice when they came to visit to spend some time with me."

Many years later, Achille took it to the next level when in 2019 he signed for Baskonia and therefore made his debut in the EuroLeague.

"It was my goal to reach the EuroLeague and play here. I am proud and honored to wear this jersey. It's an incredible club with a big organization and big ambitions. I am very happy to be here."

While Achille has reached the top level in Europe, Valerio, who is now 36, is still playing. Last summer he signed for Falconara, a team in the Italian third division. Even if one would think that Achille could teach Valerio a thing or two about the game, having reached higher levels, the truth is that the opposite still stands.

"He gives me advice for basketball, but also life off the court," the younger brother shared. "Sometimes he tells me what he did wrong and tells me not to do the same, to do better than him. Maybe about my mindset: I may not be happy because I played a bad game or because I played few minutes, so many times at those moments he gives me advice that is important for me." 

"He's my brother, but he's also my best friend." 

The relationship between the close brothers is something that does not change easily. And that's why, after all these years and changes in their careers and lives, Achille still looks up to his older brother.

"He's my brother, but he's also my best friend as I have said many times," Achille confirmed. "He's a guy in whom I still believe. I can speak to him about anything, I really believe in him."

Probably, the only thing missing in this family relationship is a proper game between the brothers, something that has not happened... yet.

"We have only played against each other in some summer tournaments, but never in an official game."

Of course, there's still time!

TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz big man Achille Polonara has always had a role model, a friend and a guide in his older brother Valerio, who at age 36 is still playing professional basketball in their native Italy.

Achille Polonara, Baskonia: 'I was born at a basketball court'

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade cruised to a convincing 68-89 win at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in a makeup Round 4 encounter on Wednesday night.

 Loyd, Walden lead Zvezda past ASVEL

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade cruised to a convincing 68-89 win at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in a makeup Round 4 encounter on Wednesday night. The opening quarter was closely contested, but Zvezda finished the second strong to establish a 38-44 halftime lead. The visitors sprinted further ahead with a 0-11 run in the third and were never threatened again, maintaining a double-digit lead the rest of the way. League-leading scorer Jordan Loyd paced the winners with 29 points and also contributed on defense with 5 steals, while the outstanding Corey Walden delivered 20 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. All 11 Zvezda players scored in a true team effort. Allerik Freeman led ASVEL with 14 points, while David Lighty and Guerschon Yabusele netted 11 apiece. Zvezda improved to 3-4, while ASVEL dropped to 1-4.

Ognjen Kuzmic started the scoring with a tip-in before Antoine Diot opened ASVEL’s account from deep. The scoring was evenly shared in the next few minutes with Loyd and Charles Kahudi trading triples. Freeman struck twice from deep for a 17-11 lead midway through the first and Ismael Bako’s fierce dunk protected the lead as the first quarter ended 21-17. Dejan Davidovac and Walden tied it early in the second and Taylor Rochestie completed a 0-7 run from deep for a 21-24 lead. Yabusele’s improvised layup and corner three restarted ASVEL. After Ognjen Dobric struck from long-range, Yabusele scored again for a home team 30-29 lead. Langston Hall ignited a Zvezda resurgence which saw Loyd take the baseline for a driving layup and Walden score from deep for a 33-39 edge. Duop Reath’s jumper and Loyd’s open triple kept Zvezda moving, and it was 38-44 at the half.

Catch up on LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade highlights from Round 4 of the 2020/21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, 11th November 2020

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade Highlights - Round 4 - 11th November, 2020

Lighty’s three-pointer got the second half started, but Loyd stayed hot to score in penetration. Diot’s triple was equaled by Walden and Freeman. Loyd also struck from beyond the arc for a 48-54 lead. Walden and Lighty exchanged inside scores before free throws from Walden and Davidovac’s corner three cemented Zvezda’s lead. Loyd’s open layup off a steal followed by free throws completed a 0-11 run for a 51-67 lead. Moustapha Fall got ASVEL back on the board from the foul line, making it 53-67 with 10 minutes remaining. William Howard started the fourth-quarter scoring, but Loyd immediately responded, before Yabusele’s three gave ASVEL hope. However, Walden penetrated to score for a 58-73 lead and Zvezda continued to cruise as Reath struck from deep for a 20-point margin, confirming the visiting team’s superiority on the night.

### Mile Lisic remembered

Visiting coach Sasa Obradovic dedicated the victory to former Zvezda player Mile Lisic, who passed away earlier in the day at the age of 55. Lisic helped Zvezda win consecutive Yugoslav titles in 1993 and 1994 and later played in France with Le Mans and Limoges.

### Bench makes a difference for Zvezda

Zvezda got a lot of help from its bench, led by Corey Walden with 20 points in a total of 40 from non-starters. ASVEL, in contrast, only had 26 points from its reserves.

### Offensive issues for ASVEL

ASVEL’s offense fell apart in the second half. The home team only scored 4 points in more than 6 minutes as Zvezda raced to a double-digit lead and ended up committing 16 turnovers with 14 assists.

### Zvezda D limits Fall

Moustapha Fall was ASVEL’s leading scorer coming into the game with an average of 12.5 points per game, but Zvezda’s aggressive defense meant he couldn’t get going in this one. The center only scored 2 free throws in the first half and ended up with just one field goal in his total of 7 points.

Walden-009866.jpg

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade cruised to a convincing 68-89 win at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in a makeup Round 4 encounter on Wednesday night.


LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (2020-11-11T19:45:00.000Z)

When you ask a young German basketball fan about the surname Olinde, he will probably mention ALBA Berlin forward Louis Olinde, one of the most interesting prospects in the country. Olinde, age 22, is a versatile, 2.05-meter swingman in his third Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

If you ask a veteran fan about the same surname, however, he will likely mention Wilbert Olinde, Louis's father. Wilbert led Goettingen to German League titles in 1980, 1983 and 1984. While playing basketball, he graduated with a degree in business administration from the University of Goettingen, became a German citizen and, in 2003, started his own business as a management consultant and mental trainer.

"He's from San Diego, actually. And then he came to Germany to play basketball, one of the first Americans that came to Germany to play. He was pretty good as well, played for Goettingen. They won the championship a couple of times and also the German Cup. So I am trying to follow in his footsteps and maybe win some championships as well," Louis Olinde told us. 

"I am trying to follow in his footsteps." 

Wilbert Olinde played college basketball at UCLA and was coached by the legendary John Wooden. Olinde helped UCLA win the NCAA title in 1975, in Coach Wooden's last season with the team that he had coached since 1948! Growing up, Louis heard a lot of things about Coach Wooden from his father.

"My father told me a lot of stories about practices and games. I think that [Wooden] was a great, great basketball genius," Louis told us. "He was always telling me that John Wooden focused on one player each practice, and he would write down what that player was doing. But you never knew who he was watching, so everybody gave 110 percent, because he was always sitting with a flip chart and looking at the players. If you did something bad, you would look at John Wooden and maybe he would write it down, or not. So the players would try to figure out who was the guy that he was watching each time."

Wooden was also really famous off the court for his coaching ways. He created The Pyramid of Success, built to succeed in basketball and life. When Wooden retired as a coach, he was hired by companies to deliver inspirational lectures. It may be no surprise, then, that Wilbert Olinde took his post-playing career in that direction, too, opening Black Pearl Inspiration, which specializes in team training and coaching in the business world.

"He's an inspiration coach," Louis said of his father. "He's working with people to get better at whatever they want to do, to sharpen their mindset. And then also in companies: relation between co-workers, how to how to work together better, how to find ways to solve problems. That's what he's doing. Pretty successful as well."

Wilbert Olinde has done more than help his clients, too. A book about him – "Germany for a Season - The true story of Wilbert Olinde, Jr." – was published in 2017.

"It's about his story growing up in America, for sure having problems with racism over there back then in the 60s and the 70s, and then coming to Germany and having that great experience in Germany," Louis says. "And then for sure, having a family now in Germany. He's German, as well, and he speaks German fluently, and is here for 40 years. I think he feels more like a German than an American right now."

Wilbert Olinde, who retired in 1987 due to cancer, but survived to start his own second career, is an inspiration to his son, too.

"He inspired me on many different levels, for sure," Louis says. "His move coming from the States, not knowing what is in Germany, just being super curious and just taking a chance. And then taking that chance to see what life brings you after, you never know. He probably never planned to play in Germany or to live in Germany for 40 or 50 years but now he is. So just take chances and be open for everything new."

As a former pro player and a motivational speaker, it is logical to think that Wilbert would give Louis a lot of advice – and he does, but not as often as you might think.

"Sometimes, sometimes, not always!" Louis says with a laugh. "We would talk after games, just send some text messages back and forth. He would tell me what he saw and not just on the basketball level but also off the court: behavior, kind of stuff like that.

"For sure, whenever I have any question, any need of advice, I know I can reach out to him. I'm very thankful for that. But at the same time, he's saying it's my career, it is my decision and, you know, I should do whatever I want, not whatever he would do. Because it's my life, obviously." 

Black Pearl, the name of his company, was also Wilbert Olinde's nickname as a player in Germany. His son, who debuted in the EuroLeague for Brose Bamberg two days after his 19th birthday in 2018, has been able to watch old videos and compare the game then to what he has seen during his three seasons now in Europe's top competition.

"I watched a couple of games of his on YouTube and it's just... it's way different game," Louis says. "You can't compare, especially in EuroLeague. It is very, very physical right now and very athletic as well. And much, much quicker, much faster than it was. Back then there was a lot of dribbling up the court, a lot of basics, a lot of mid-range shooting, as well. And now it's just a sprint, fastbreak, catch-and-shoot, three-pointers just... a lot of dunks, a lot of plays above the rim."

Still at a younger age than his father was when he first came to Germany, Louis Olinde hopes to someday match his father's success.

"For sure, he has the advantage when it comes to championships and cups," he laughs. "But I'm trying to get there – and then we can talk again."

ALBA Berlin swingman Louis Olinde has plenty of sources of motivation for his career from his own father, Wilbert Olinde Jr., who was a successful collegian and pro player before surviving cancer, settling in Germany, and becoming a successful inspiration coach.

Louis Olinde, ALBA: 'My father inspired me on many different levels'

Nicolas Laprovittola has succeeded in carving out a very successful career, starting out in his native Argentina before playing in the NBA along with various European countries until eventually landing with his current club, Real Madrid, in the summer of 2019, as well as representing his country at numerous international tournaments.

In his homeland, however, he is not even the most recognizable member of his own family.

The guard's mother, Margarita Stolbizer, is one of Argentina's most prominent politicians. She has campaigned for many years as an anti-corruption activist, and has filled various important roles as well as running as a presidential candidate in the 2015 general election. 

"She has always stuck to her principles and values." 

Laprovittola's mother qualified as a lawyer years before he and his two younger brothers were born, and from a very young age he quickly became aware of the nature of her work and the esteem in which she was held.

"I remember when I was five years old my mother was always working very hard from Monday to Friday every week," he recalls. "She was always very respected and admired throughout Argentine politics, which is a very tough and complicated environment. She is a very hard-working and dedicated person with her political work in anti-corruption. She is trying to clean up the country, which isn't easy in Argentina."

However, he also remembers that his mother was able to separate her professional life from her family life, and give her three sons a normal childhood.

"Despite her work my mother has always tried to have a low profile," he says. "She never got carried away by the political environment and has always stuck to her principles and values. We had a calm and quiet life, without any fear, living in the same house throughout the time we were growing up. I have two little brothers, just a couple of years younger than me, and we were always together and close. 

"My mother has always cared for our family, which isn't easy when she has so much work and so much pressure. A lot of things have happened in her life but she always kept us away from that, and she made sure her work has never affected our family life or put us in a bad situation."

In addition to her political work Margarita is also a keen sports fan, and set up the first volleyball team in the Buenos Aires district of Moron. So when her eldest son showed a great talent for basketball and started to make his way in the professional game, she offered nothing but support. 

"When I was younger my mother had the idea that I would be an ambassador or a consul, something like that, representing the country overseas," he smiles. "And in a different way, playing as a professional sportsman at the highest level, I am doing that! She has travelled to watch me play in the NBA, in Russia, in Lithuania, in Brazil and here in Spain, too. And she has always supported me and been behind me." 

"My mother had the idea that I would be an ambassador or consul." 

And although they have made their way in very different professions, Laprovittola has always been able to hold up his mother as a role model, using the values she has instilled as the path to follow in his own career.

"She always dedicated herself and put a lot of effort and passion into what she does," he explains. "She is an example I have always emulated, showing me the importance of always trying to work hard and get better every day.

"All the dedication and passion she puts into something so difficult was like a mirror for me, and made me understand that I have to dedicate myself towards whatever I want to achieve. I have the same dedication to always want to know more and to improve. That's what I try to do in my career, to be the best that I can be. I am very proud of her, and very happy to have her as my mother."


Nicolas Laprovittola has succeeded in carving out a very successful career that has culminated with him joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, but back home in Argentina, he is less recognizable than his own mother, a popular anti-corruption politician.

Nicolas Laprovittola, Real: 'I have always emulated my mother'

In an intense game that went down to the wire, Valencia Basket confirmed its good moment by downing AX Armani Exchange Milan 86-81 at La Fonteta on Friday. 

Van Rossom leads Valencia to fourth win

In an intense game that went down to the wire, Valencia Basket confirmed its good moment by downing AX Armani Exchange Milan 86-81 at La Fonteta on Friday. Valencia improved to 4-2 while Milan dropped to 3-2. Sam Van Rossom led the winners with 21 points. Klemen Prepelic added 14 and Nikola Kalinic had 10 for Valencia. Shavon Shields led Milan with 17 points. Kyle Hines added 13, Vladimir Micov had 12 while Michael Roll and Zach LeDay each got 10. Valencia led most of the way and an outstanding Van Rossom allowed the hosts to seal the outcome down the stretch.




Guillem Vives and Van Rossom got Valencia going three-pointers. Shields and Sergio Rodriguez each downed jumpers and Roll added a triple but Bojan Dubljevic kept the hosts in charge. Rodriguez and Roll kept pacing Milan but Derrick Williams dunked and Dubljevic made Valencia regain the lead, 14-12. Leday and Jeff Brooks dunked but Williams kept the hosts ahead, and Martin Hermannsson beats Shields' jumper with a triple that ended the first quarter 24-18. Gigi Datome stepped up with a three-point play early in the second quarter. Mike Tobey answered with a dunk-and-foul, Hermannsson scored in penetration and Prepelic buried a triple for a 32-23 Valencia lead. Louis Labeyrie struck from downtown and added a layup but Rodriguez and Roll got Milan closer. Hines and Micov combined for a 0-6 run but Prepelic restored a 39-33 Valencia lead. Shields scored down low, Hines added consecutive baskets and Datome sank a three-pointer that tied it, 42-42, and a buzzer-beating jumper by Micov fixed the halftime score at 42-44. 

Catch up on Valencia Basket vs AX Armani Exchange Milan highlights from Round 7 of the 2020/21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, 6th November 2020

Valencia Basket vs AX Armani Exchange Milan Highlights - Round 2 - 6th November, 2020

Hines dunked right after the break and Shields added a driving layup for a 42-48 Milan lead, after a 0-11 run. Kalinic had the opening 4 points in an 8-0 run that Vives capped with a layup, making Milan stop the game at 50-48. Dubljevic swished a triple but LeDay and Kaleb Tarczewski kept Milan within 53-52. Kalinic scored down low and Labeyrie ignited the crowd with an alley-oop slam. Shields followed a jumper with a three-pointer and Micov added a jump hook to keep Milan close, 61-59. Van Rossom rescued Valencia, making it 66-61 after 30 minutes. Prepelic struck from beyond the arc early in the fourth but Roll and Hines kept Milan close, 69-65. Tobey scored in the paint and another triple by Prepelic boosted Valencia's lead, but Shields and LeDay fueled a 0-6 run for a 74-71 score with 6 minutes left. LeDay dunked to tie the game, 76-76, before Kalinic dunked and Micov matched that with a layup. Van Rossom made free throws and buried a triple that gave Valencia fresh air, 83-79, with a minute to go. Hines scored down low but Van Rossom and Prepelic sealed the outcome from the foul line.

### Pivotal performer

Sam Van Rossom controlled the game tempo and was always there when his team needed a go-to guy. He finished with 21 points on 4-of-7 three-point shots, adding 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 fouls drawn for a PIR of 19.

### Game-changing moment

Shavon Shields brought Milan as close as 80-79 entering the final minute. But Van Rossom took matters into his own hands with a big three-pointer, soon added a free throw and Prepelic hit two more to seal the outcome. Valencia brought out its best defensive version when it mattered most.

### Stellar stat

Valencia shot better from downtown and took better care of the ball. Valencia hit 11-of-27 three-pointers (40.7%) and Milan just buried 6-of-20 (30%). The hosts finished the game with 19 assists and just 8 turnovers, while Milan only had 14 assists and picked up 13 turnovers.

### Did you know?

It is Valencia's first-ever home win against Milan. The Italian powerhouse had beaten Valencia three times at La Fonteta: on November 11, 2010, 69-80, on November 15, 2017, 98-103 in double overtime, and on March 5, 2020, 81-83 in overtime on a game-winning three-pointer by Vladimir Micov at the buzzer.

Van-Rossom-004884.jpg

In an intense game that went down to the wire, Valencia Basket confirmed its good moment by downing AX Armani Exchange Milan 86-81 at La Fonteta on Friday. 


Valencia Basket v AX Armani Exchange Milan (2020-11-06T20:00:00.000Z)