By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Jordan Sears ignited VEF Riga on Monday, erupting for a career-high 38 points in a commanding 105–88 victory over the Landau Lions to open the Qualification Rounds in Samokov ahead of the 2026–27 Basketball Champions League season.
Making his official debut with the Latvian club, the 1.80-meter American playmaker put on an absolute clinic, falling just a single point short of tying the all-time Qualifiers record, a 39-point effort set by Ivan Almeida for Benfica in 2022. The all-time league record remains Jordan Walker’s 54-point performance in 2025.
Sears operated as a relentless offensive engine for his new squad, shooting a blistering 13-of-25 from the floor and drilling seven triples on 15 attempts. He added five rebounds, four assists, and a steal across 38 minutes of action, translating his elite scoring instinct effortlessly to the BCL stage.
This explosive debut builds directly upon the high-volume production of his collegiate career at Gardner-Webb, Tennessee at Martin, and Louisiana State, as well as his 2025–26 professional stint with BG Gottingen, where he carried the German outfit with a team-high 16.3 points per night.
Fueled by his hot hand, the Vefins built a comfortable double-digit advantage after halftime, securing a smooth progression through the single-elimination bracket. Riga now shifts its focus to Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup, awaiting the winner of the contest between BK Opava and Dziki Warszawa.
The stakes remain immense. Out of the 16 hungry clubs competing in this qualification pool, only a single survivor will ultimately secure the coveted spot in Group F of the Regular Season, alongside Hapoel Maoz Daniel Holon, Cholet, and Spartak Office Shoes.
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