By Nikola Miloradovic/ info@eurohoops.net
The BKT EuroCup has expanded to 32 teams, divided into four groups of eight. Each club will play 14 regular-season games, with the top four from every group advancing to the playoffs.
The playoff format has also changed. Every knockout round, from the round of 16 through the Finals, will be decided in a best-of-three series. The expanded field creates opportunities for emerging projects, but the shorter regular season also leaves less room for slow starts.
Ranking this field is particularly difficult. Several teams appear capable of challenging for the trophy, while the middle of the competition is crowded with clubs whose fortunes may depend on chemistry, health and the development of less proven players.
Domestic competitions also create an uneven frame of reference. A mid-table Spanish, Turkish or Italian team may be better prepared for EuroCup basketball than a domestic contender from a smaller league. Coaching, continuity and experience therefore carry considerable weight alongside individual talent.
These EuroCup Power Rankings by Eurohoops assess where all 32 teams appear to stand before the opening round. They are not a prediction of the final standings, especially since the four groups differ significantly in strength.
1. PAOK Thessaloniki
PAOK appears to have the best overall combination of proven quality, depth and coaching. Nick Calathes, Cedi Osman, Marcus Foster, Naz Mitrou-Long and Breein Tyree provide experience and creation, while Kyle Alexander leads a versatile frontcourt. With Andrea Trinchieri in charge, PAOK looks equipped to contend immediately.
2. Bahcesehir College Istanbul
Aleksandar Djordjevic seems to have one of the deepest backcourts in the competition at his disposal. Malachi Flynn, Aleksa Avramovic and Marquise Reed can all control games, while Mateusz Ponitka, Isiaha Mike, Tyler Cavanaugh, Damien Inglis and Trevion Williams provide size and flexibility. Bahcesehir should have legitimate title ambitions.
3. Aris Thessaloniki
Aris may possess the highest individual ceiling in the EuroCup. Neno Dimitrijevic, Vassilis Toliopoulos, Stefan Jovic and Matthew Morgan form an imposing guard rotation, while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, E.J. Liddell and Khem Birch bring considerable pedigree. Vassilis Spanoulis now has to turn that collection of talent into a coherent unit.
4. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem
Jared Harper remains one of the competition’s most dangerous guards, but Jerusalem will start the season without him due to injury. Even so, the backcourt is still well stocked with Jaleen Smith, Lorenzo Brown and Shake Milton. Kenny Lofton Jr., David Roddy, Devontae Cacok and Dusan Miletic give the team strength across the frontcourt. Sasa Obradovic adds tactical authority to a roster that looks built for a deep run.
5. La Laguna Tenerife
Tenerife has changed coaches but retained much of the experience and intelligence that have defined the club. Marcelinho Huertas, Giorgi Shermadini, Kyle Guy, Jaime Fernandez and Tim Abromaitis understand high-level European basketball, while Jaka Lakovic knows how to win this competition.
6. Turk Telekom Ankara
Turk Telekom again seems capable of reaching the final stages. Jerrick Harding provides elite scoring, with Tony Taylor and Shaquielle McKissic adding control and experience. Anthony Lamb, Ismael Bako and Kris Bankston complete an athletic frontcourt. Erdem Can’s familiarity with the club should help accelerate the process.
7. Umana Reyer Venice
Reyer appears to have enough depth to trouble almost anyone. Ky Bowman, Sir’Jabari Rice, Glynn Watson and Erick Green offer multiple sources of perimeter scoring, while Louis Olinde, Kyle Wiltjer, Jordan Parks and Enoch Boakye provide contrasting frontcourt options. Neven Spahija’s main task may be establishing a clear hierarchy.
8. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
Buducnost combines established EuroCup performers with athletic additions. Yogi Ferrell, Marial Shayok and Axel Bouteille should carry much of the offense, while Iverson Molinar provides another aggressive creator. Justin Smith, Juwan Morgan and Jerry Boutsiele add physicality inside. Defensive consistency may determine how far this talented group can go.
9. Napoli Basketball
Napoli looks balanced, experienced and well suited to Jasmin Repesa. Marco Spissu and Jeffrey Dowtin Jr. can organize the offense, while John Petrucelli, Jahmi’us Ramsey, Jack White and Zachary Seljaas provide shooting and versatility. Kaleb Tarczewski, Leonardo Tote and Guglielmo Caruso form a deep center rotation.
10. Maxima Roma
Maxima possesses considerable individual talent but remains one of the hardest teams to evaluate. Aaron Holiday, Xavier Moon, Brynton Lemar, Matt Ryan and Hunter Tyson bring NBA experience and shooting, while John Brown III and Miro Bilan offer know-how inside. The ceiling seems high, although chemistry and defensive balance remain open questions.
11. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse
Bourg has moved toward a younger and less established roster after winning the competition. Tyson Walker and Trey Woodbury may carry considerable creative responsibility, with Tyrese Samuel, Kadin Shedrick and Lionel Gaudoux covering the interior. Frederic Fauthoux provides continuity and a strong system, although replacing so much proven production will not be simple.
12. U-BT Cluj-Napoca
Cluj’s completely rebuilt roster contains plenty of quality. Otis Livingston II and Javonte Smart can create from the perimeter, Malcolm Hill and Javon Bess add two-way versatility, and Kristian Kullamae brings European experience. Uros Plavsic, Christian Bishop and Dusan Beslac strengthen the frontcourt, but such a major overhaul inevitably carries uncertainty.
13. Kids&Us Manresa
Manresa may not have the most glamorous roster, but its ACB background, depth and Diego Ocampo’s system should not be underestimated. Hugo Benitez, Ferran Bassas and JD Notae lead a crowded backcourt, while Timmy Allen, Chibuzo Agbo, Nick Ongenda and Pierre Oriola provide physicality. Collective basketball should be the team’s main strength.
14. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana
Cedevita Olimpija has retained useful continuity while adding creativity. Anthony Cowan Jr., Rihards Lomazs and Jaka Blazic give Zvezdan Mitrovic experienced ball-handlers and scorers, while Matthew Hurt, Noah Kirkwood and Jayce Johnson provide size. The roster looks well constructed, although it may lack the star power of the leading contenders.
15. Baglietto Derthona Tortona
Derthona appears to have a solid rotation without an obvious superstar. Prentiss Hubb, Giordano Bortolani, Aljami Durham and Dante Maddox Jr. offer perimeter scoring, while Justin Gorham, Amar Alibegovic and Karim Jallow bring versatility. Mario Fioretti has useful depth, but consistent creation against the best defenses may become an issue.
16. Roma Basketball
Roma has a lot of individual quality. Niccolo Mannion and Corey Davis Jr. form a dynamic guard pairing, with Gerald Ayayi, Erik Stevenson and Trentyn Flowers adding length and scoring. Marko Simonovic offers an important interior reference. Alessandro Magro will need time to define the hierarchy within a completely new project.
17. Recoletas Salud San Pablo Burgos
Even without Vlatko Cancar, Burgos seems to have enough quality to compete for the playoffs. Retin Obasohan, Ziga Samar, DJ Steward and Chase Audige form a strong guard group, while Christian Sengfelder, Balsa Koprivica, Sekou Doumbouya and Ruben Guerrero provide size. Porfi Fisac and weekly ACB competition should also raise the team’s floor.
18. Tofas Bursa
Tofas looks competitive and balanced, although it may lack the star power of the strongest Turkish teams. Bryce Jones and Shavar Reynolds Jr. should organize the offense, supported by Zach Nutall, Tre’Shawn Thurman and Sadik Kabaca. Massimo Cancellieri is likely to provide structure, but the interior rotation may struggle against bigger opponents.
19. London Lions
London’s ceiling may depend heavily on its backcourt. Devante Jones and Tarik Phillip offer power and experience, while Keenan Evans could transform the team if healthy and close to his best. Maxwell Lewis III, Joel Scott and Thomas Kennedy add size and upside. The talent is intriguing, but consistency at this level remains unproven.
20. Dolomiti Energia Trento
Trento has assembled an athletic roster with several players capable of taking a step forward. Quincy Olivari and Charlie Brown Jr. should handle much of the scoring, while Isaiah Bigelow, Jordan Bayehe and Selom Mawugbe bring energy inside. The upside is evident, but the lack of proven EuroCup creators introduces significant uncertainty.
21. ratiopharm ulm
Ulm remains committed to development and athletic upside. Adam Atamna, Teo Milicic, Armel Traore, Meissa Faye and Juom Maker Bol fit the club’s long-term identity, while Devin Schmidt and Jaylen Sims will be expected to provide immediate production. The potential is obvious, but such a young rotation may experience considerable fluctuations.
22. Neptunas Klaipeda
Neptunas may not have elite talent, but it can rely on a large group of proven European players. Elvar Fridriksson, Kristupas Zemaitis, Yannick Franke, Henri Drell and Donatas Tarolis give the team balance, with Martynas Echodas inside. Experience should keep Neptunas competitive, although its offensive ceiling looks somewhat limited.
23. Bosna BH Telecom Sarajevo
Bosna has quietly assembled a roster capable of making the playoff race interesting. Gary Browne, Edin Atic and Marcus Domask offer creation and size on the perimeter, while Reginald Perry and James Banks protect the paint. Dario Gjergja is another important asset, but the rotation appears less convincing beyond its leading contributors.
24. NINERS Chemnitz
Rodrigo Pastore again has a roster seemingly built around physicality and collective play. Stefan Smith and Phlandrous Fleming Jr. should handle much of the creation, while Darion Atkins provides valuable frontcourt experience. Chemnitz is likely to be difficult to play against, but may lack the individual offensive quality found higher in the rankings.
25. Le Mans Sarthe Basket
Le Mans has interesting young talent in Melvin Ajinca and Swann Penda, while TaShawn Thomas and Wilfried Yeguete provide experience inside. The backcourt led by Carlos Stewart Jr. and Jordan King, however, remains largely untested at this level. Guillaume Vizade may build a strong defensive team, but consistent scoring could be a problem.
26. Rostock Seawolves
Rostock has assembled a deep group of solid professionals rather than major stars. DeAndre Lansdowne, TJ Crockett Jr. and Zach Copeland can provide points, while Owen Klassen, Bent Leuchten and Philipp Hartwich offer size. Przemyslaw Frasunkiewicz should make the team competitive, although high-end creation and European experience appear limited.
27. Lietkabelis Panevezys
Nenad Canak gives Lietkabelis stability and a clear identity, while Ognjen Jaramaz represents a significant addition to the backcourt. Marius Valinskas, Keondre Kennedy, Ivan Fevrier and Gabrielius Maldunas add useful experience. Still, the roster looks thinner and less explosive than in previous seasons, particularly when Jaramaz is not directing the offense.
28. Slask Wroclaw
Slask has several players capable of producing points, including Anthony Hickey, Malik Parsons, Devin Robinson and Jakub Niziol. John Egbunu gives Danny Franco a physical center, but the roster may lack proven depth and high-level playmaking. The Polish team could be dangerous at home, yet sustaining results over 14 rounds looks difficult.
29. Skyliners Frankfurt
Frankfurt has numerous backcourt options, led by Ryan Arcidiacono, Thomas Klepeisz, Judah Mintz and William Christmas. The uncertainty appears greater inside, where Race Thompson may carry considerable responsibility. Klaus Perwas has several useful pieces and young players with upside, but the group does not yet look ready to consistently beat experienced EuroCup opposition.
30. Siauliai Basketball
Siauliai has athletic guards in Dayvion McKnight, Cedric Henderson Jr. and Michael Caffey, while Efton Reid and Martynas Pacevicius provide size. Darius Songaila’s team should play with energy and little pressure, but much of the roster lacks experience at this level. Avoiding prolonged offensive droughts may be its main challenge.
31. Riga Zelli
Riga Zelli’s roster is young and largely unproven outside the Baltic region. Tony Perkins and Benjamin Shungu are likely to handle much of the creation, with Tyler Wahl and Isaac Johnson carrying the frontcourt burden. The jump in physicality and tactical demands makes this a challenging first EuroCup campaign.
32. Balkan Botevgrad
Balkan enters as the clearest outsider, although the roster contains several intriguing prospects. Ulrich Chomche, Alex Ducas, Gael Bonilla and David Okwera bring size and potential, while Javante McCoy and Darnell Edge should lead the offense. Bogdan Karaicic can develop the group, but experience and depth appear to be major disadvantages.
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