EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Picks: Round 13
Round 12 once again highlighted just how crucial the coach selection can be. There was not necessarily a standout, but many coaches selected led their teams to double-digit victories, making it a satisfying week for many EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge players in terms of credits gained.
Like last week, there are several matchups that come highly recommended, and we will give you three quality options to choose from. There are other stars and bargains to add before the first break of the season -- and what do we do with Sasha Vezenkov?
If you have any questions or comments about strategy or the picks below, feel free to drop those at the bottom of this article or reach out on X via @RotoWireEuro.
Good luck as you continue your EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge journey!
Guard
Sylvain Francisco, Zalgiris Kaunas (16.6 credits)
Zalgiris' new flagship star currently holds the title of the most expensive player in EuroLeague Fantasy. He is coming off a spectacular Round 12 performance by delivering 33 points and dishing out 11 assists to record a double-double on the road against Real Madrid. Francisco posted a +9 in the +/- metric in just 26:16 minutes of action via raising the question of whether head coach Tomas Masiulis might consider making an exception and extending his minutes going forward. After all, had he logged closer to 30 minutes—similar to the Round 6 win in Barcelona—Zalgiris might have been talking about another road victory. But anyway, that's in the past. Following a tough 0–3 road trip, Zalgiris now returns home to face Baskonia and then Maccabi. In both matchups, the team's primary scoring option is unquestionably Francisco, and their chances of securing wins will likely hinge on his performance.
Nick Weiler-Babb, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (11.9 credits)
Among EuroLeague guards, the German floor general is undoubtedly one of the first names that comes to mind when talking about the most all-around guard in the competition. His impact has grown even more with Shane Larkin -- listed on RotoWire's EuroLeague Injury Report -- both Weiler-Babb and Isaia Cordinier stepping up their performances significantly. In last week's crucial win over Barcelona, he delivered 12 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds which was indicating a clear proof that he's not merely a scoring threat but a player who consistently fills every column of the stat sheet. Logging 35 minutes in each of Efes' last two games, Weiler-Babb has become an indispensable piece for head coach Igor Kokoskov. Next one is heading into a tough road matchup against Monaco, it's almost certain he'll remain on the floor for similar heavy minutes.
Codi Miller-McIntyre, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (12.7 credits)
Despite Red Star's loss to Valencia in Round 12, Miller-McIntyre stood out as the team's lone bright spot by posting a 22 PIR performance. Of course, this was partly due to Chima Moneke and Jordan Nwora returning from injuries and still struggling to regain rhythm. Even so, Miller-McIntyre remains the most reliable guard on the roster and with the Serbian side set to play back-to-back challenging home games, getting production from their backcourt will be absolutely vital if they want to come away with wins.
Quinn Ellis, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (8.7 credits)
After a slow start to the season -- prompting many to question why head coach Ettore Messina was giving him only 20 minutes per night -- the young guard finally found his footing beginning in Round 5. Since then, he has fallen short of expectations only once, but outside of that he has consistently delivered. With the continued absence of Lorenzo Brown and Messina -- prior to him stepping down -- acknowledging that Marko Guduric is playing through injury, the role has become even more secure for Ellis. Considering upcoming matchups against Maccabi and Baskonia that have the potential to turn into high-scoring affairs, Ellis is primed to maintain his upward trajectory and continue his strong run of form.
Forward
Filip Petrusev, Dubai Basketball (15.4 credits)
Even in the tough Round 12 road matchup against Panathinaikos, Petrusev delivered a performance fully in-line with his quality by finishing the game with 20 PIR. Now, a relatively favorable stretch of fixtures lies ahead for him. Dubai will first host Paris followed by matchups against Virtus, Bayern, and Maccabi -- teams generally expected to remain outside the playoff picture. During this upcoming run, the Serbian forward will likely operate in "easy captain mode" for many fantasy managers given both his consistency and the advantageous schedule.
Azuolas Tubelis, Zalgiris Kaunas (10.0 credits)
When Tubelis was signed from archrival Rytas at the start of the season, Zalgiris fans were none too pleased. Like Arnas Butkevicius before, another transfer between the two rivals did not sit well with the supporters. However, Tubelis seems determined to make all the doubters reconsider, averaging an impressive 17.2 fantasy points over his last five games. He has firmly placed himself among the players who deserve close attention. Considering two of those performances came during a demanding three-game road trip, his value rises even further. Zalgiris will play its next two matchups at home, offering Tubelis a priceless opportunity to connect with the fans and solidify his growing role within the team.
Roman Sorkin, Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv (11.8 credits)
After opening the season with a surprisingly underwhelming performance in the first five rounds, Sorkin's turning point came in Round 6 with Maccabi's victory over Real Madrid. Since that night, the only real disappointment on his record has been the road loss to Panathinaikos. Otherwise, he looks fully in control and back to his expected level. With his playing time also increasing significantly -- just check out RotoWire's EuroLeague Minutes Report -- the moment has clearly arrived to raise expectations. Sorkin now appears poised to deliver consistently strong production moving forward.
Jaron Blossomgame, AS Monaco (8.7 credits)
Fully aware of his role as a supporting player, Blossomgame seems to embrace it with pleasure. Despite the arsenal of talent on the roster, both former head coach Sasa Obradovic and current head man Vassilis Spanoulis rely on sequences where defensive intensity peaks with Blossomgame and Alpha Diallo sharing the floor. Although his minutes are limited -- around 20 per game in the last two matchups -- he continues to push for maximum efficiency whenever on the court. His recent rebound stats of seven and 10 in consecutive games despite his smaller stature, illustrate this perfectly. While his ceiling may be debatable, his production at such a modest cost makes him a standout option for fantasy managers.
Center
Mfiondu Kabengele, Dubai Basketball (13.8 credits)
Since returning from injury, the Canadian center has picked up exactly where he left off -- which is making his debut EuroLeague season nothing short of outstanding. While those who followed him previously in the Italian league may not be surprised, Kabengele -- alongside Petrusev -- has been carrying Dubai in this part of the season, especially in Dzanan Musa's absence. For Round 13, the painted area for Paris has been identified as a weak spot. Kabengele will likely be tasked with punishing that vulnerability and asserting his dominance in the paint.
Moses Wright, Zalgiris Kaunas (12.5 credits)
The biggest question mark for many pundits has been his underwhelming 8 PIR performances in the last two games. However, it's important to remember that these contests were part of a challenging road trip. With Round 13 approaching, most expect Zalgiris to get back on track. Teams like Baskonia and Maccabi often rely on Power Forwards to defend the painted area, which exposes a natural center with athletic abilities. In this case, picking Wright is more of an investment -- one that could allow managers to sit back and enjoy the returns for at least the next four to five weeks.
Head Coach
Xavi Pascual, FC Barcelona (7.3 credits)
Returning to take the reins of his hometown team as a legend, Pascual endured a heartbreaking loss in his first game back. However, there could hardly be a clearer opportunity for a homecourt victory than the upcoming matchup against ASVEL. A comfortable win would serve as a crucial morale boost ahead of the much tougher road test against Red Star.
Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (7.6 credits)
There is a famous meme circulating among basketball fans: a young gamer starts off playing PlayStation leaning back comfortably, but when things go wrong, they lean forward by fully focused. That perfectly sums up Fenerbahce's approach following their blowout loss to Real Madrid. Starting with a Round 9 victory over ASVEL, the team extended its winning streak to four games, and their next matchup is against Virtus at home in Istanbul. Facing a tough December schedule, the primary goal for the Yellow-Navy Blues is to finish November on a strong note.
Jurica Golemac, Dubai Basketball (5.4 credits)
Those who are seeking a low-credit coach: This is about as good as it gets right now. Dubai has lost only one of its last five home games, and the upcoming matchup against Paris should help the team regain rhythm and consistency.
Drop Candidates
Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos Piraeus (17.0 credits)
These days, if someone asks, "What's your biggest disappointment?," you'll probably hear devoted EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge players answer Vezenkov. Known to be an avid EuroLeague Fantasy player himself, Vezenkov has dropped off lately, and it seems that something in the team's internal balance has shifted, with Tyler Dorsey taking more shots than his counterpart in recent Rounds. That, along with a few other factors, has negatively affected Vezenkov's PIR. At some point, the former MVP will surely find his rhythm, but for now, it looks like it may take a little more time.
For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, rosters and everything else, head to RotoWire's latest EuroLeague news or follow @RotoWireEuro on X.
