The regular season has wrapped up, the Play-In tournament is done, and the 2026 EuroLeague quarterfinals are set to start. If you followed every round or only glanced at the box scores over coffee, here is what you missed as the real competition begins.
Sasha Vezenkov Dominated the Scoring Race
Sasha Vezenkov didn’t just claim the Alphonso Ford Trophy—he turned the scoring title into a foregone conclusion by February. The Olympiacos forward averaged 19.4 points per game over 34 appearances, reaching double figures in all but one contest. That’s not a hot streak; it’s a display of unwavering consistency. He also pulled down 6.6 rebounds per game and led the league in Performance Index Rating (PIR) with 23.1, showing his impact went far beyond the scoreboard. Vezenkov shot 62.5 percent from two-point range and narrowly missed the 50-40-90 club, finishing at 39.6 percent from three. When a player scores at that level with such efficiency, it’s no longer a breakout—it’s the new standard.
Jean Montero Rewrote the Rising Star Narrative
Valencia point guard Jean Montero captured the Rising Star award decisively. At 21, the Dominican guard became the first player to win both the EuroCup and EuroLeague Rising Star honors, underscoring his dominance at every level. Montero averaged 13.3 points and 4.5 assists per game, posting a team-high 15.7 PIR for a Valencia squad that finished second in the standings. He runs the offense under Coach of the Year Pedro Martinez with the poise of a veteran who has seen every defensive scheme. It’s rare to see a young guard command a top-four EuroLeague offense so early in his career, but Montero makes it look effortless.
Other young players deserve recognition. Saliou Niang brought energy for Virtus all season, recording double-doubles against Dubai and Baskonia. Momo Faye anchored the paint for Paris at just 21. Keep both names on your radar for next season.
The Playoff Bracket Is Finalized
The Play-In tournament produced the final matchups. Panathinaikos secured their spot with an 87-79 win over Monaco on April 21, while Barcelona eliminated Crvena Zvezda the same night. Monaco then defeated Barcelona in the decisive Play-In game to claim the eighth seed.
Olympiacos earned the top seed and will face Monaco starting April 28. Valencia draws Panathinaikos in what looks like the most unpredictable series of the round. Real Madrid takes on Hapoel Tel Aviv, while Fenerbahce and Zalgiris square off in a series that could go the distance. The Final Four is set for Athens on May 22-24, meaning the championship road runs through one of Europe’s most iconic basketball cities.
Standout Performances You Might Have Missed
Beyond the headlines, several players deserve attention. Elijah Bryant returned from injury for Hapoel and immediately looked elite, posting a 34-PIR night against Milan. Mfiondu Kabengele of Dubai finished as the second-highest PIR producer among centers despite being a EuroLeague rookie, averaging 14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Sylvain Francisco delivered another clutch fourth quarter for Zalgiris, scoring all 14 of his points in the final frame against Barcelona. Nate Reuvers also shone with a 33-point outing against Virtus where he missed just one shot—the kind of efficiency that wins playoff series.
What Comes Next
The quarterfinals begin April 28, and each series carries a compelling storyline. Can Vezenkov and Olympiacos defend their title? Will Montero and Valencia continue their run? Does Real Madrid have enough depth to overcome Hapoel? The answers will come soon. Set your alarms and enjoy the best European basketball of the year.
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