EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Picks: Round 17

We are back with the second leg of the double-week! Those who have been following our guides know that the players we typically target in the 2nd leg are drawn from the group that picked up momentum in the 1st leg. Basis on experience, we can briefly say that in back-to-back games the way a player starts usually dictates how the rest of the series unfolds.

Here is a quick hint for managers: with the conclusion of Round 17, we will enter another free-trade window, which helps us making it the perfect time to farm as many credits as possible. That's why our motto for this period is simple: maximize credit gain while maintaining competitive fantasy options.

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 on your EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge journey!

Guard

Jared Butler, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (9.9 credits)

It looks like Red Star may have found a new floor general. Since joining the team, Butler has completely reshaped the distribution of individual statistics, quickly becoming a primary offensive organizer. It took him some time to find his footing in the EuroLeague, but he has now hit the 20-point mark in consecutive appearances. The ripple effect has not been as equally positive for those around him, with players like Codi Miller-McIntyre seeing their fantasy relevance take a hit as Butler's usage and ball dominance rise. Red Star will host Virtus at home in Round 17 at home and if anyone on the roster is capable of going head-to-head in a scoring duel with Carsen Edwards, that player is Butler.

Nigel Williams-Goss, Zalgiris Kaunas (9.8 credits)

In Zalgiris' shocking loss to Efes, Williams-Goss was arguably the only player who truly stood his ground. While the team's star guard Francisco, who had been in outstanding form over the last ten games, was neutralized by Efes' physical perimeter defense and limited to just 10 PIR, Williams-Goss stepped up as the second option by finishing with 14 PIR and at least salvaging something from a difficult night. Looking ahead to the matchup against Partizan, Williams-Goss is expected to take on a demanding defensive assignment against Duane Washington. Encouragingly, his minutes have been steadily increasing game by game since returning from injury, signaling growing trust and improved conditioning.

Armoni Brooks, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (9.7 credits)

Brooks got off to a slow start against Real Madrid, but despite the early struggles, he still managed to finish the game with 13 PIR. It's far from an eye-catching total, yet the way he found his rhythm in the second half should be viewed as a positive sign. Up to next, Milan hosts Fenerbahce, a team that contains opposing guards better than anyone and consistently allowing the fewest PIR to opposing backcourt players. On paper, that makes Brooks a questionable pick, but there's a reason for cautious optimism. Taking cues from Fenerbahce's recent matchup against Panathinaikos, their defense struggled to contain Kendrick Nunn, and similarly, Brooks is currently the top scoring option for Milan.

Trent Forrest, Baskonia Vitoria- Gasteiz (10.6 credits)

After opening the EuroLeague season in excellent form, Forrest sustained an injury that sidelined him for 10 games. His return came in Round 15 on the road against Real Madrid, which understandably limited the impact of his comeback. However, Forrest wasted no time reminding everyone of his quality. In the very next game against Monaco, he delivered a statement performance, posting 27 PIR and playing a leading role in Baskonia's victory. Baskonia has another tough road test in Round 17, but Barcelona could be down a key piece or two, and Forrest's presence could be a deciding factor.

Forward

Zach LeDay, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (14.4 credits)

Despite dealing with occasional injuries that have disrupted his rhythm, there is no doubt LeDay remains an elite power forward. Following Nikola Mirotic's departure, the responsibility has largely fallen on his shoulders, and when healthy, he has consistently proven capable of carrying that burden. Milan's recent comfortable home wins against consecutive title contenders, achieved without overextending LeDay, showed how much the team has evolved since last season, particularly in the backcourt. This growth, however, should not be mistaken as a sign that LeDay's importance has diminished. On the contrary, contending teams know exactly when to lean on their stars. In Round 17 against Fenerbahce, LeDay is set for a compelling matchup with Nicolo Melli, who is currently in excellent form himself. When the moment calls for it, expect LeDay to once again become Milan's "break glass in case of emergency" option in order ready to deliver when his team needs him most.

Jaylen Hoard, Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv (15.1 credits)

Maccabi's power forward duo is still rolling! While Roman Sorkin's career-high performance against ASVEL in Round 15 briefly shifted the spotlight away from Hoard, it was the latter who proved decisive in Maccabi's road win over Dubai. Producing 23 PIR, Hoard established clear dominance and was the key factor behind that victory. In Round 17, Maccabi will face Valencia, a team that has been making headlines with eye-catching road wins over both Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. Playing in its home arena again, Maccabi faces a serious challenge. However, one thing is clear: if they want to secure a win, they could certainly use a big night from Hoard.

Justin Anderson, Dubai Basketball (7.9 credits)

We already recommended Anderson in Round 15, and his strong form since has only reinforced that call. With Anderson performing at a high level, head coach Jurica Golemac continues to show full trust in him, notably keeping Anderson on the floor for 35 minutes against Maccabi. Next up is a test against Efes, a team that excelled in its first game with new head coach "Don Pablo" Laso. While this matchup is clearly shaping up to be a tough one, Anderson's role within Dubai's rotation is not in doubt. His minutes, usage, and trust from the coaching staff make him a safe and reliable fantasy option.

Derrick Alston Jr, Virtus Bologna (8.5 credits)

This is a "Mission Impossible"-type pick, but we felt it was time to reward a player whose development has been on our radar for a while. In Virtus' hard-fought win against Partizan, Alston stood out by dictating the game -- especially in the second half. With like Alen Smailagic and Saliou Niang underperforming a bit, head coach Dusko Ivanovic has been searching for new solutions, and it looks like he may have found one. Alston logged 20+ minutes in each of the last three games, which is a clear signal of growing trust within the rotation.

Center

Vincent Poirier, Anadolu Efes (11.6 credits)

After an extended absence due to a knee injury, the French center made his season debut last week. He only got 10 minutes, but he then followed that up with an impressive domestic-league showing against Fenerbahce. Poirier showed signs of being impactful against Zalgiris, and that should only expand. With Laso taking over for Efes, it's reasonable to expect Poirier to be one of the players he trusts the most, as he coached and relied upon him with Real Madrid. With momentum on his side, Poirier draws a dream fantasy matchup against Dubai -- a team that has issues containing opposing big me.

Willy Hernangomez – FC Barcelona (10.1 credits)

With Tornike Shengelia and Jan Vesely sitting out Tuesday, the painted area was left almost completely to Hernangomez against Paris. The veteran took full advantage of the situation by dominating the matchup with his experience. Barcelona controlled the game from start to finish and secured a comfortable win, while Hernangomez delivered 21 PIR. Hernangomez's upside is injury-dependent, but with Shengelia still shelved and Vesely uncertain for Round 17, Hernangomez is certainly worth considering.

Head Coach

Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus (7.8 credits)

Following Tuesday's heartbreaking loss to Valencia, rumors circulated that Bartzokas' job could be in jeopardy. The postgame atmosphere only added to the uncertainty: immediate and intense booing at the final buzzer, followed by chants of support from the fans, made it difficult to read the true sentiment around the team. What is undeniable, however, is that Olympiacos is off to one of its worst starts in recent years. Performances have been inconsistent, confidence is shaken and pressure is mounting. Still, relief may be right around the corner. In Round 17, Olympiacos faces ASVEL, which occupies the lowest spot in the standings and could be down Nando de Colo. A blowout win seems possible, which makes Bartzokas a quality option from a fantasy perspective.

Sergio Scariolo, Real Madrid (7.8 credits)

Real Madrid was expected to face a tough challenge on the road against Milan, but being dominated from tip-off to the final buzzer was unexpected. Only Facundo Campazzo truly showed resistance, and the overall performance raised clear concerns. However, at a moment when the team is in need of a confidence reset, the schedule comes to the rescue. Real Madrid returns home to face Paris, a matchup that has strong potential to turn into a high-scoring affair. If the hosts approach this game seriously and tighten the screws defensively, a comfortable -- and possibly lopsided -- win is well within reach.

Drop Candidates

Moses Wright, Zalgiris Kaunas (11.3 credits)

There has to be something going on behind the scenes, because otherwise this decline makes absolutely no sense. Despite Zalgiris entering a relatively favorable stretch of the schedule, starting from Round 13 including matchups against teams like Maccabi and Baskonia -- both known to have issues containing opposing centers -- Wright has completely failed to make an impact. What's even more concerning is that head coach Tomas Masiulis has restricted his playing time to under 20 minutes, which is a major red flag in EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge terms. Having limited minutes and no visible upward trend in form, the outlook is not encouraging. For now, staying away from Wright looks like a smart move for fantasy players.

For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, rosters and everything else, head to RotoWire's latest EuroLeague news or follow @RotoWireEuro on X.