ACES ABROAD: EuroLeague & EuroCup Update (Jan. 18-24, 2023)

Where In The World Are The Aces?

Many WNBA players take their talents overseas during the “offseason,” and the Aces are no exception. In addition to playing in country-specific leagues, some teams also participate in the EuroLeague and EuroCup.

The EuroLeague is the highest professional basketball league in Europe. At the start of the 2022-23 season, 21 teams were vying for the EuroLeague championship. Of those 21 teams, 13 had byes into the regular season, while 8 additional teams participated in qualifying games to determine the final 3 participants.

The 16 teams are broken up into 2 groups of 8 for the regular season which runs from October 26 through March 1. The top 4 teams from each group qualify for the quarterfinals, which are slated for March 14-22. The Semifinals are scheduled for April 14, with the Finals taking place on April 16.

Chelsea Gray (Mersin), Iliana Rupert (Bologna) and Kiah Stokes (Fenerbahce) are playing in the EuroLeague this season.

The EuroCup is an annual second-tier level competition in Europe. At the start of the 2022-23 season, 57 teams were vying for the EuroCup championship.

From October 5-13, 18 teams compete in the Qualifying Round to advance to the Regular Season. In addition five teams from the EuroLeague will join the EuroCup following EuroLeague Qualifiers.

The Regular Season runs from October 26 to December 15 and consists of 12 groups of 4 teams. The playoffs feature the top 32 teams, and run from January 4-April 12.

Riquna Williams (Ormanspor) is playing in the EuroCup this season. Ormanspor finished 5-1 in its group during the regular season. Playoff Round 1 began January 4, 2023, and Ormanspor was eliminated in the first round by Castors Braine.

EUROLEAGUE

Chelsea Gray—Mersin (6-4)
Schedule Link
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EuroLeague Averages
19.3 ppg, 7.3 apg
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Recent Games
Jan. 18, W, 75-59, vs. Basket Landes
14 points, 8 assists, 3 steals
Box Score
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Next Game
Jan. 26 vs. DVTK HUN-Therm (5-4)
Kiah Stokes—Fenerbahce (8-2)
Schedule Link
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EuroLeague Averages
1.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg
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Recent Games
Jan. 18, W, 92-58, vs. Olympiacos SFP
Did Not Play
Box Score
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Next Game
Jan. 25 vs. Vitrus Segafredo Bologna (3-7)
Iliana Rupert—Bologna (3-7)
Schedule Link
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EuroLeague Averages
11.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg
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Recent Games
Jan. 17, W, 89-76, vs. BC Polkowice
15 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists
Box Score
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Next Game
Jan. 25 vs. Fenerbahce (8-2)
EuroLeague Standings
GROUP A
1 Fenerbahce 8-2
2 BC Polkowice 7-3
3 ZVVZ USK Praha 7-3
4 Valencia BC 6-3
5 Tango Bourges 5-4
6 KSC Szekszard 3-7
7 Virtus Segafredo Bologna 3-7
8 Olympiacos SFP 0-10
GROUP B
1 Sopron Basket 7-2
2 Beretta Famila Schio 6-3
3 Mersin 6-4
4 Spar Girona 5-4
5 Perfumerias Avenida 5-4
6 DVTK HUN-Therm 5-4
7 Basket Landes 2-8
8 Kangoeroes Mechelen 1-8